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
kendra123almost 13 yearsthat is soooooooooo cool
horselvralmost 13 yearsElephants are one of my favorite animals!!!!!!!- horselvralmost 13 yearsTHATS SCARY!!!!!!
- mmsmoranjalmost 13 yearsWhat an interesting article, t tlaks about an elephant that speaks Korean. Apparenlty, he uses his trunk down in his throat to make the words. He learned the language since the age of five years old when he was brought to the zoo.
- mms bonafedegalmost 13 yearsWow this elephant is amazing! This elephant figured out how to speak korean. Apparenlty, he uses his trunk down in his throat to speak the language. He has also heard the language since the age of five years old when he was brought to the zoo.
- MMSkatiek6/7almost 13 yearsI like this article because I never knew that ONE elephant can speak Korean. In this article it tells about an elephant who can speak Korean. He was 5 when they first adopted him it is amazing how he can even speak that language because to me that is pretty interesting! I don't know if this is true or not but if it is I would be pretty impressed. I picked this article because I love animals and I want to read about interesting things that suprise me. This is one of the most weirdest thing I read!!! :]
- mmsFreedomw6/7almost 13 yearsThis article talks about an elephant that speaks Korean. The elephant uses it's trunk down in it's throat. He was brought to the zoo when he was just five years old and heard only korean. I found this to be very interesting.
- mmsgiovannihalmost 13 yearsthats crazy
- MMSTaliaK11almost 13 yearsIt is interesting that an elephant can move its trunk in its throat. It is amazing that the elephant can imitate the words that the people say. For example he can say roll over. It was explained when he was brought to the zoo. The elephant was the only one there until he was at the age of12.
- mmsgauthierc67almost 13 yearswhat I felt was interesting was that. this elephant can literally can talk.and the way to make the words come out is interesting,the extrodinary elephant manages to speak by using his trunk inside his throat.man what an elephant!