With the addition of Dr. Valerie Chalcraft and Kendra Keller to the Gorilla Foundation's Research/Gorilla-Care Staff, the Foundation is now in a position to explore the next phase of Project Koko: Linguistic Analysis. In this important phase of research, years of documented and filmed archival data, as well as newly collected data, will be subjected to statistical analysis to scientifically depict the "depth and breadth" of American Sign Language (ASL) usage by gorillas Koko and (eventually) Michael—including the presence of grammar and modulation of meaning.

Earlier studies and papers generated by Project Koko have focused on the extent and pragmatic uses of the gorillas' sign language vocabulary — which is substantial (over 1000 signs for Koko and 500 for Michael). However, mastery of language requires more than just mastery of individual words and putting those words to practical use. This new phase of research examines the structure (syntax) of their utterances, and may lead to a much greater understanding of the similarities and differences between human and non-human great ape language capabilities.

This understanding can benefit both gorillas and humans. For gorillas, the benefits include making the argument for their preservation so compelling (by addressing the remaining objections of ape language skeptics) that the halting of the "bushmeat crisis" is given top priority by government and corporate decision-makers. For humans, the benefits include a better understanding of our own language development, and the potential to help people with a wide spectrum of communication challenges such as autism. The Gorilla Foundation receives anecdotal evidence of this potential all the time, as in a number of cases of autistic children for whom gestural/signed communication was initiated after seeing a videotape of Koko signing.

The Gorilla Foundation's approach to great ape language research has always been to integrate scientific methodology with extreme attention to gorilla welfare—both emotional and physical. Finding researchers who excel in both of these areas has been a challenge up to now, but Dr. Chalcraft and Ms. Keller fit the bill and establish a "critical mass" for the initiation of Project Koko, Phase 2.

Dr. Valerie Chalcraft received her Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology at the University of Nevado, Reno, in 2003, after almost a decade of research and animal welfare experience. Her Ph.D. dissertation, "Cross-Fostered Chimpanzees Modulate Signs of American Sign Language," provides an excellent springboard (and comparison) for some of the linguistic studies and analyses to be performed in the context of Project Koko.

Kendra Keller received an M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling with the Deaf, a B.A. in Speech Pathology & Audiology, and an A.A. in Psychology, and has over 20 years experience as a sign language interpreter (RID certified), instructor and program administrator. Her experience and expertise have enabled her to develop a rapid and rich rapport with Koko, and should facilitate all ongoing research efforts — as well as the training of new staff to communicate with Koko (and her potential offspring).

Look for updates on the results obtained via this new research team in the months ahead under "Penny's Team Journal."

PS: The Foundation is seeking to hire someone with exceptional academic and professional credentials in the field of "Linguistics of Sign Language" to complete the core team. See and respond to our job ad on Koko.org if you are interested and qualified.