The human body consists of organic systems capable of many functions, some of which are often unappreciated. This article focuses on two specific topics: the linguistic exploration of color blindness and the innovative communication methods used by dogs.
Color blindness, particularly the inability to perceive certain colors, was first documented by John Dalton in 1794. Dalton, an English physicist, suffered from this condition himself, leading him to study it extensively. The term 'daltonism' was later proposed by Swiss professor Pierre Prévost to honor Dalton's contributions. Dalton's condition is hereditary, predominantly affecting males due to its linkage to the X chromosome. There are two main forms of color blindness: achromatopsia, where all colors are seen as shades of gray, and dichromatism, which affects the ability to distinguish between red and green.
In a more contemporary context, the communication abilities of dogs have gained attention, particularly through the work of Christina Hunger. In 2018, Hunger developed a method for teaching her dog, Stella, to communicate using buttons that produce words when pressed. This approach has led to a growing movement among pet owners to enable their animals to express desires and emotions through similar means. Bunny, a sheepadoodle, has become a notable example, amassing millions of followers online for her ability to convey complex thoughts using a vocabulary of buttons.
Hunger's experiments illustrate that dogs can learn to communicate in ways that resemble early childhood language acquisition. As the dogs learn to combine words, they demonstrate a capacity for basic communication that challenges traditional views on animal language. The ongoing studies, including a large-scale project led by Federico Rossano at UC San Diego, aim to explore the extent of this communicative ability across thousands of pets globally.
These two topics—color blindness and canine communication—highlight the intricate relationship between language, perception, and understanding, revealing how both humans and animals navigate their worlds.