The Capuchin Vocabulary--What I have Found--What I Foresee in
it.
Up to this time I have been able to determine with a fair degree of
certainty nine words or sounds belonging to Capuchins, some of which
sounds are so inflected as to have two or three different meanings, I
think. The sound which I have translated food and found to have a much
wider meaning, long perplexed me, because I found it used under so many
conditions and had not been able to detect any difference of modulation.
I find one form of this sound used for food in general, but when
modulated in a certain way seems to specify the kind of food. I observed
that this sound seemed to be a salutation or peacemaking term with them,
which I attributed to the fact that food was the central thought of
every monkey's life, and that consequently that word would naturally be
the most important of his whole speech. During the past winter, I found
that another modulation of this word expressed a wish to obtain a thing,
and appeared to me to be almost equivalent to the verb "give," when used
in the imperative mood, something like this, "Give me that." I have
succeeded a great number of times, by the use of this word, in inducing
McGinty to give me a part of his food, and on many occasions to hand me
from his cage a ball, a club, or some such thing that I had given him to
play with. Under suitable conditions, I could soon determine to what
extent these inflections control their actions, but with the
surroundings of a zoological garden the task is very difficult. However,
I am quite satisfied that the sound which I have translated food is
shaded by them into several kindred meanings.
The word "drink" appears to be more fixed, both in its form and
meaning. I have not yet been able to detect any difference in the sound
whether water, milk, or other liquids be desired; but this is quite
natural, since they have but little variety in the things they drink.
[Sidenote: SOUNDS "WEATHER" AND "LOVE"]
The sound which I had thought meant "weather," or in some way alluded to
the state of the weather, I am not sure how far that may be relied upon
as a separate word. It was so closely connected to the speech of
discontent or pain when made by little Dago, that I have not been able
since to separate the sounds, and I finally abandoned it as a separate
word; but reviewing my work, and recalling the peculiar conduct of this
monkey and the conditions attending it, I believe it is safe to say that
he had in mind the state of the weather.
The sound which I have translated "love" is only in the sense of firm
and ardent friendship. The expressions of love between sexes I have not
been able as yet to find with certainty. A few sounds, however, made
under certain conditions, I have reason to believe bear upon this
subject, but I am not yet ready to announce my opinions thereon.
The "alarm" sound, as I have translated it, has been described; but
among the Capuchins I find three kindred words, quite unlike as mere
sounds, but closely allied in meaning. The one just mentioned is used
under the stress of great fear, or in case of assault. It is a shrill,
piercing sound, very loud and very high in pitch. The second word,
"e-c-g-k," used only to express apprehension, or as a warning of the
approach of a thing they fear or do not like; and the last of these,
which is a guttural whisper, is used merely to call attention to the
approach of something which the monkey does not fear or dislike, which I
have spelt "c-h-i."
I have referred elsewhere, without describing it, to the sound which
Nellie used for calling, and which she employed when attempting to
dissuade my wife from going out and leaving her alone. It is a peculiar
sound, something like a whine, but very plaintive and suggestive. I
cannot represent it in letters.
[Sidenote: THE CAPUCHIN TONGUE]
There are many sounds about which I am yet in doubt, and some shades of
meaning are not clear, but these sounds described include the greater
part of my knowledge of the Capuchin tongue, and I shall now proceed to
the sounds of some of the other monkeys.
Standing on this frail bridge of speech, I see into that broad field of
life and thought which lies beyond the confines of our care, and into
which, through the gates that I have now unlocked, may soon be borne the
sunshine of human intellect. What prophet now can foretell the relations
which may yet obtain between the human race and those inferior forms
which fill some place in the design, and execute some function in the
economy of nature?
A knowledge of their language cannot injure man, and may conduce to the
good of others, because it would lessen man's selfishness, widen his
mercy, and restrain his cruelty. It would not place man more remote from
his divinity, nor change the state of facts which now exist. Their
speech is the only gateway to their minds, and through it we must pass
if we would learn their secret thoughts and measure the distance from
mind to mind.