An Elephant That Speaks Korean? . . . . . . Hmmmm!
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Elephants have been known to do many things - Paint, calculate math problems, wash cars and in some cases even whistle and imitate sounds. But actually speak a language? That, is a first and until now thought to be impossible given that the mighty mammals cannot use their lips to make sounds like humans, because their upper lips and noses are fused together to form their trunks. However, one elephant in South Korea seems to be defying all logic and odds!
Koshik, a pachyderm that lives at the Everland Zoo in South Korea seems to have learnt the Korean language. While his vocabulary is limited to five words - "annyong" ("hello"), "choah" ("good"), "aniya" ("no"), "anja" ("sit down") and "nuo" ("lie down"), it is still causing a stir among experts. And what's amazing them even more so is how he is able to say the words - By somehow moving his trunk inside his throat.
Scientists believe that the Koshik's adoption of the Korean language can be explained by the fact that when he was brought to the zoo at the age of 5 in 1995, he was the only elephant there - A situation that did not change for seven years until he was 12 years old. They think that his desire to socialize was so strong that the smart elephant somehow figured out how to speak the language of the only companions he had - Humans! While the trainers first noticed him imitating the words in 2004, it is only recently that the words were actually analyzed by experts and confirmed as the Korean language. That explanation seems logical especially given that lately Koshik has not been talking in his human language as much, because he now has a female elephant companion to communicate with.
The scientists also believe that Koshik is merely imitating the words as a way to be social and that while he may understand their meaning, he is not expecting the person he is talking with to obey him (like when says rollover!). But that does not make Koshik's language skills any less amazing - Just shows where there is a will, there is a way! Now if only the smart elephant could belt out the words to Gangnam Style!
Resources: news.yahoo.com, livescience.com
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902 Comments
softballqueenalmost 13 yearsThis elephant is perfect at speaking korean!- Bluetiger11almost 13 yearsNICE! I'm Korean, and this big dude can speak it perfectly. Maybe I can take it home and teach it how to rap Gangnam Style!
- Philalmost 13 yearsAwesome! I can speak and understand Korean, and he could speak it perfectly!
rrcherrypiealmost 13 yearsI think that the elephant Koshik has a very special talent,that talent is speaking Korean.I always wanted to speak another language besides English and Spanish. The other languages i want to learn are German,Italian,Polish,and French.The best part of the story was, that the elephant could speak one of our languages.I also think that it would be cool if he could write,sing Gangnam Style,or have glasses to read.I really enjoyed this story.
stealthelfalmost 13 yearsit is so cool that a elephant can spek.iwish icould speak a different lagig. i wunder if he is going to speak more.
stinkbrainalmost 13 yearsI think it is so cool that an elephant can speak Korean. I wish I could speak Korean, Spanish, Italian and German. It's amazing that scientists studied Koshik the elephant for two years and still can't find out how he speaks the Korean language. I think it would be possible for Koshik to learn to sing Gangnam Style. He would have at least a million fans a day if he actually could.- Ethanalmost 13 yearsI am amazed how an elephant can speak Korean, normally most animals don't speak human language. If I ever get a pet I'm going to teach him Hindi (Indian language). Like Koshik I learnt 5 Korean words from this article. A new word I learnt is pachyderm, which means thick skinned.This article inspired me to learn things that I think I cannot do, where there is a will there is a way!
- anonymousalmost 13 yearsthat is so weird-and cool!
snickers2almost 13 yearsI think it's so cool how Koshik can speak korean. I am going to teach my hamster to speak another langue also.- Girlalmost 13 yearsthat's so weird!