Gestural phrases and gestural exchanges by a pair of zoo-living lowland gorillas
Previous study of the spontaneous gestural communication of the great apes has been primarily of individual gestures and their sequels. Such analysis gives only a partial picture of the quality of gorilla interaction. The repertoire of gestures of a pair of gorillas at San Francisco
Zoo have been described by Tanner and Byrne (1993, 1996, 1999). These gorillas often used gestures in continuous sequences or phrases. Both single gestures and phrases were used in exchanges between gorillas. Phrases included a variety of syntactic functions, and exchanges seemed
to negotiate matters such as location, initiator, and type of play. Both single gestures and phrases could be modified by “negative’ gestures. Detailed transcription of gorilla communicative events show that gestures are continually being modified and varied by the communicative
partners, rather than being ritualized elements of a finite repertoire.
The electronic edition of this article includes audio-visual data.
The electronic edition of this article includes audio-visual data.
Document Type: Research Article
Publication date: 01 January 2004
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