Itis her conversations with her teacher,Dr Penny Patterson,that are inspiring.Penny explains:The reality of my discovery is that our abilities as humans,our skills,sensibilities and emotions are very similar to the great apes.Whatwe have learnt is that gorillas are more complex than we ever imagined.
Whenshe began teaching Koko sign language,placing the little fingers of theone-year-old gorilla into the correct positions for drink,eat,more,andrewarding her with food,Dr Patterson had no idea how quickly Koko would learn.At first,it seemed Koko was using sign language as a tool to get something,says Patterson.It became the kind of reward system that you could expect of acat or a dog.But early in her training,she began to combine signs that mademe think she was capable of more.Now Koko is so proficient in sign languagethat if she doesnt know a word she invents one.For example,she didnt knowthe word for ring,so she combined the signs for finger and bracelet toexpress it.
DrPatterson continues:Koko loves babies and young people.And when she is askedwhat gorillas like best,she always says Gorilla love eat,good.Oneof Pattersons favourite stories demonstrates Kokos sense of humour.When avisitor asked her to show him something scary,she held up a mirror to his face!
WhenPatterson asked her what she would like for her 11th birthday,Koko signed thatshe wanted a cat.The story of Kokos cat enabled Patterson to learn more abouther student: the cat was hit by a car and Patterson had to break the news toKoko,who signed cry,sad,frown.Then,once alone,Patterson heard Koko makethe gorillas distress call: a loud series of hoots.
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