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Abstract
This extract from Lestel's Paroles de singes analyses the methodological debates of the research into the linguistic capabilities of great apes. Lestel uncovers the strategic blindness, methodological fumbling, and other “mirror effects” of these experiments, and reflects on the questions of anthropomorphism and common knowledge. Are the apes simulating language; are the ape-researchers simulating results? Parallels with research into artificial intelligence reveal a preoccupation with questions of cognition.
Notes
Translated from Dominique Lestel, Paroles de singes: L'Impossible dialogue homme-primate (Paris: La Découverte, 1995). With thanks to Jeffrey Bussolini and Brett Buchanan for their assistance and solidarity.
1 This phrase suggests both “mirror research” and “to look in the mirror.” [Translator's note.]
2 In English in the original. [Translator's note.]