The Moment History Changed

Dr. Sue Works with Lexigrams

Scientists had been trying to develop language skills in Kanzi's adopted mother, Matata.  When Kanzi was six months old, Kanzi came with Matata for one of their sessions.

"Without warning, Kanzi emitted an electrifying scream and propelled himself from Matata's arms to mine.  It was a sign of things to come."  This is how Dr. Sue Savage-Rumbaugh describes the event that started thirty-year relationhip with Kanzi.



Learning Words

Dr. Sue continued to work with Matata, and Kanzi continued to tag along to the sessions.  Kanzi was a disruption, stealing Matata's treats and jumping on her head.  Dr. Sue's work with Matata on the lexigram produced disapointing results.

One day Kanzi could not find Matata and became upset, searching for her everywhere.  Surprisingly, Kanzi started to use the lexigram, touching "raisin" and "peanut."  The scientists gave him raisins and peanuts.

Then Kanzi touched "melon" and "go," and scientists gave him a melon and took him outside.  Scientists were amazed that Kanzi had been learning words as he watched the work with Matata.

What was different about Kanzi?  He had learned indirectly by watching Matata, not by being taught directly with a reward system.  Kanzi learned like a human child does.

To find out more about how Kanzi communicates, click on this link:  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5503685.

"The My Hero Project - Dr. Sue Savage-Rumbaugh." The MY HERO Project. Web. 23 Jan. 2011. http://myhero.com/go/hero.asp?hero=sue_savage_rumbaugh.