Teaching Sign Language to the Chimpanzee, Washoe

Duration: :46

Year Published: 1973

Creator: Allen and Beatrice Gardner

Format: 16mm

Color: B&W

Copyright: Registered 4Feb74 · MP25170 (Jan-Jun 1974) Copyright holder: R. A. Gardner & B. T. Gardner

Description: Documents the controversial experimentation in which a chimpanzee named Washoe was taught American Sign Language (ASL). Explains, with the Gardner research team as narrators, the original purpose of ASL, their rationale in using it, and several basic signs and their meanings. Shows Washoe in early childhood signing individual words such as "more" and "drink." Follows her to the age of five as her vocabulary increases and phrases emerge from her signing.