Chimpanzees Taught Sign Language by Researchers

Washoe and other chimps learned to communicate through American Sign Language.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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In 1965, a group of chimpanzees including Washoe were brought to the United States to be raised by scientists Allen and Beatrix Gardner. Though the chimps were unable to speak, the Gardners taught them to communicate using American Sign Language. Washoe became the first chimpanzee to learn a human language and teach it to other primates.

Why it matters

This groundbreaking research challenged the prevailing scientific view that chimpanzees could not learn human language. It demonstrated the cognitive capabilities of our closest genetic relatives and opened new avenues for understanding primate communication and intelligence.

The details

The Gardners immersed the chimpanzees, including Washoe, Dar, Pili, Tatu, and Moja, in an environment where they exclusively used ASL to communicate. They played with the chimps, fed them, and engaged them in activities, all while signing. Over time, Washoe began signing words like "food" and "more" to express her needs. She then started teaching the other chimps the signs she had learned.

  • Washoe and the other chimps were brought to the United States in 1965, at 10 months old.
  • Washoe first communicated using ASL by signing the word "food" during a dinner with the Gardners.

The players

Washoe

The first chimpanzee to learn American Sign Language and teach it to other primates.

Allen and Beatrix Gardner

Researchers at the University of Nevada in Reno who raised Washoe and the other chimpanzees, teaching them to communicate using ASL.

Dar, Pili, Tatu, and Moja

The other chimpanzees brought to the United States along with Washoe to be raised by the Gardners.

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The takeaway

This pioneering research demonstrated the cognitive capabilities of chimpanzees and challenged the long-held scientific belief that they could not learn human language. It opened new avenues for understanding primate intelligence and communication, and inspired further studies on the linguistic abilities of our closest genetic relatives.