A sociolinguist from the Meertens Institute in Amsterdam, Leonie Cornips, is challenging the traditional view that language is exclusive to humans. Her research focuses on understanding how cows communicate, not just through vocalizations, but also through body language and their interaction with the environment.
Cornips's work builds upon decades of research into animal communication, aiming to demonstrate that animals may be more linguistically capable than previously thought. She argues that language should be understood as a distributed system, involving the body, environment, and senses.
Key findings of her research include:
Cows use elaborate greeting rituals involving body posture and eye contact.
Ear positioning and neck extension are crucial elements of bovine communication.
Cows respond differently to their environment, using physical structures like fences to communicate.
Domesticated cows develop complex communication skills to interact with humans.
Cornips emphasizes the importance of patience and observation in understanding cow communication, suggesting that they possess rich communicative abilities often overlooked. Her work encourages a shift in perspective, urging people to consider the intelligence and social complexity of domestic animals.
While some linguists remain skeptical about attributing language to non-humans, Cornips's research opens new avenues for exploring animal communication and potentially improving human-animal relationships.