Washoe Project

The Washoe Project was an educational effort starting in the 1960s to teach the chimpanzee Washoe to communicate using American Sign Language (ASL). Researchers aimed to explore whether an ape could learn human language, demonstrating the capacity for complex communication and cognition. Washoe quickly learned hundreds of signs, showing her ability to express needs, preferences, and even some combinations of signs. The project provided insights into animal intelligence, social behavior, and the potential for non-human primates to understand and use language, influencing research on animal cognition and communication.