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Why do scientists disagree about whether chimpanzees use true language?

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A common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) sits on a rock holding a long blade of grass in its mouth, with dense green foliage in the background. — chimpanzee The West African, or masked, chimpanzee (*Pan troglodytes verus*) is a critically endangered subspecies of chimpanzee.

Scientists disagree about whether chimpanzees use true language because of fundamental debates regarding the definition of language and the interpretation of animal behavior.12

Critics argue that chimpanzees do not possess true language because they may not understand "words" as abstract symbols that can be combined in meaningful, novel ways. Skeptics suggest that when chimpanzees produce strings of signs or symbols, they may simply be performing arbitrary, learned sequences of responses to obtain rewards or mimic their trainers, rather than demonstrating a grasp of syntax or genuine communication.12

Conversely, other investigators maintain that chimpanzees can acquire a true recognition of words as abstractions applicable in new contexts. Proponents point to instances where chimpanzees have used symbols to categorize objects or demonstrated an understanding of word order, suggesting a level of linguistic competence that goes beyond simple instrumental conditioning.12

This conflict highlights a tension in research: informal, social approaches may lead to anthropomorphic interpretations, while rigorous, controlled experiments may fail to capture the natural, communicative essence of language. Consequently, whether these behaviors constitute true language remains a subject of ongoing, heated debate.21