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
lydiaalmost 13 yearsOMG! that's is so cool! amazing! awesome- MMS Brianna Scalmost 13 yearsKoshik is an elephant who has learned to speak five words in Korean. The elephant does it by pressing its trunk to the back of its throat and it makes it sound like a human! A vocab word is pachyderm and it means a thick skinned animal. I think this is really cool and I wish my dog and cats could talk. Life would be easier. I hope it learns more words!!!
- alex8almost 13 yearswow awesome i want that elephant!
- Yolo8almost 13 yearsWhat an elephant.
- Yolo8almost 13 yearsI want him as a friend.
- Yolo8almost 13 yearsHow cool is this elephant.
- shirley4thalmost 13 yearsWow! That's so cool and weird.
tiger2almost 13 yearsthat's unbeleivable!he says it better than me- MMSKennedyC11almost 13 yearsElephants are known to do many things like paint, calculate math problems and wash cars! An elephant in South Korea zoo seems to have learned 5 words in the Korean language. Koshik is able to the words by putting his trunk down his throat. Scientists believe that Koshik is imitating the words he hears from humans. I think it is very cool that Koshik can speak 5 words in the Korean language. It would be very cool if one day I got to see him speak in person
flamevictinialmost 13 yearsIt would be so cool if he could sing Korean songs like Gangnam Style :)