Abstract

Until recently, animals were believed to be incapable of complex thought, and little research had been done on the matter.
In recent years, however, research on animal cognition and communication has revealed some surprising things.
For example, a species of small birds known as Japanese tits have been found to lie to their companions to get food. In addition, Savannah monkeys alert their companions using different calls depending on the natural predator they run into.
What are animals thinking? What do they chat about?
Toshitaka Suzuki, a spirited researcher who figured out the language of the Japanese tit because he wanted to become one, and Juichi Yamagiwa, a primatologist and former 　　　
president of Kyoto University who spent time in the herd because he wanted to become a gorilla, discuss their latest findings.
The story extends to the origin of human speech, the characteristics of the human organism, and contemporary social critique. And what is the true nature of the human, who appears at the end of it all?

Author’s Information

Juichi Yamagiwa
a primatologist and former president of Kyoto University

Toshitaka Suzuki
up-and-coming researcher who wanted to be a titmouse so he could understand its language,