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LING 123 / Donlay Essay 2 Due 5/16 /201 7 before midnight 25 Points Vocal C ommunication of H umans and Nonhuman P rimates TOPIC Present a comparing -and -contrasting analysis of human langu age and the vocal communication of nonhuman primates. Specifically, you should analyze how vocal communication systems of humans and nonhuman primates are similar and different in terms of: (1) production mechanism (anatomy and physiology) (2) repertoires (types of signals and range of meanings that the signals convey); and (3) underlying cognitive abilities (grammar, referentiality, intentionality, theory of mind, etc.). Of these, question (3) should be your primary emphasis and take up a majority of both space and focus in your ess ay. One of the key questions in the study of human language considers which aspects of language are uniquely human and which may be considered part of our primate heritage ( see Zuberbuhler 2012 ). This is a difficult question, on which there is no consensus in the scientific community. You will address this by focusing on cognitive aspects of communication . Regarding questions (2) and (3), we will not have extensive class discussion of these with regard to human language use. Regarding question (2), we ta ke it as given that human languages are capable of producing an unlimited variety of utterances and conveying a full range of meanings, intentions, and emotions (cf. Pinker, Ch. 2). Regarding question (3), you can use what you know about your own language u se and your own experiences. However, do not go into lengthy discussion of human language. The focus should be on nonhuman primates for these questions. GUIDELINES Essays are assessed not only for content, but also for grammar, clarity, conciseness, and coherence. Strive to make your essays accurate, relevant and organized , and use academic English. Your writing should demonstrate an understanding of key scientific terms related to sound and communication, with accurate use of relevant technical terms such as amplitude, spectrum, conspecific, heterospecific , etc . You might think of this as writing a short article directed towards an educated layperson, and it should read as a prose essay, not a lab report outlin ing observations. The purpose is to assess y our writing skills in addition to your understanding of the material presented in class. For source material, you may draw on a mix of course lectures, videos, and assigned readings, but to earn full credit, you must include material from (and cite) at le ast two articles from the course readings . No outside sources are required, though you are certainly welcome to draw on other research materials if you like. There is no need to provide citations for material you draw from lecture s, unless the material ori ginated from one of the readings or videos. Properly cite these and any other data drawn from course readings and videos . (You may use the formal citation style of your choice, so long as you are consistent and the source and page number of the material is made clear. If you do use additional sources, be sure to cite the m and provide full bibliographical entries.) Otherwise, as with any academic writing, your work must be your own and in your own words. FORMATTING AND SUBMISSION • Your document should include your name and class name and number at the top of the document. The name of your document should include your surname and “L123 E 2”. • Provide your own original, descriptive title for your essay. • Your essay must be a minimum of 1500 words long , but n o longer than 1800 words . Please include the word count at end of the document in square brackets [ ] . • Document formatting should use a 12 pt. font, have 1-inch margins on all sides , and be saved in either a doc/.docx or .pdf format . • The essay must be submitted in two ways. One copy should be emailed to me by the due date and time in either .doc/.docx or .pdf format. The other should be uploaded to Turnitin via Canvas by the same deadline . The essay will be considered late if it is not received both ways before the deadline, and la te penalties will apply . ###