Apes communicate in grunts, screeches, howls, heavy breathing, changes in body language, and gestures of aggression or submission. Different vocalizations carry subtle shifts in tone, volume and repetition leading to near-infinite possible combinations of sounds. Each different combination of sound used represents a unique orientation to certain of the ape’s experiences. When vocalized sounds used by one ape highlight the experiences of another ape, discourse will proceed toward psychological minimum-energy interactions that simulate the effects of atavistic responses such as stroking, petting, holding and other manners of affection. When vocalized sounds used by one ape do not highlight the experiences of another ape, discourse will proceed toward psychological maximum-energy interactions that simulate the effects of atavistic responses such as jumping, hitting, biting and other manners of disaffection.
Ape brains construct models of the ape’s experiences and these models are the content to which ape languages refer. A relatively unchanging, fragile and simple environment lead ape brain models toward representing experiences in ways adequate to the ape’s primary means of altering these experiences. Exceptions to this involve the larger ape social environment, which due to its relative impermeability will act as a conditioning factor for the ape’s behaviors, potentiating or retarding the ape’s success in altering his environment given the parameters of his brain’s experience models.
During interactions of language apes must feel their concerns being validated or language use will break down. Ape are unable to give attention to concerns which they do not share and will exhibit hostile behaviors when such concerns are enforced within discourse. Examples of behaviors of this type include raising voice in both pitch and volume, employing increased use of sarcasm, cynicism or ironic expressions, becoming physically or emotionally agitated, reducing the amounts of eye contact, fleeing the situation, forming accusations and threats, or inflicting emotional, mental or physical pain upon others.
Language interactions must appease ape egos. This will involve appeasement techniques such as placating gestures, validation, praise, and lying about one’s intentions in order to match those of another person. If such techniques are being employed disproportionately among apes then language use will break down along the lines mentioned above regarding a lack of adequate concern validation.
Ape languages involve complex displays of social status. Deference to individuals who display or are seen to possess status will occur. Individuals who display or are given status markers by the social milieu will receive deference from other apes of lesser status, and will give deference to apes who possess or are seen to possess greater status. A significant component of all ape language communications involves the assessment of status differences among apes. Violations of status deference behaviors will be punished by a demotion of status, social isolation, withdrawal of affection, isolation or by inflicting emotional, mental or physical pain.
