1.0 Introduction
The animal communication system is significantly different from the human communication system. The latter is more advanced as compared to an animal communication system. One difference between the two communication systems is that fact that whereas human beings can use different types of media to pass across their messages; animals only use a limited number of media to communicate. It is, however important to note that similarities exist between the communication system of animals and the human communication system. For instance, communicating through the use of touch is common between animal and human communication. This means that whereas there are glaring differences in the manner in which animals and human beings communicate, similarities also exist. In this paper, the author looks into the differences that exist between the communication system of elephants and the human communication system.
2.0 The Communication System of an Elephant
There are four modes of communication that are used by animals to convey particular messages. They include visual, auditory, touch and chemical. Each of these types of communication plays a very important role in enabling the animal in question to convey the intended message to the concerned party. Elephants use all these four types of communications to convey particular messages to fellow elephants within their ecosystem (Bradshaw, 2005). Elephants use their heads, mouth, ears trunk and the tail to demonstrate a particular motion. This motion is usually aimed at conveying a particular message to the intended recipient. For instance, if elephants want to threaten an enemy and, therefore, scare it away, they would use the visual mode of communication. They would raise their heads and spread their ears. They would also shake their heads snap their ears and also throw dust and vegetation to convey a clear threatening message to a potential enemy. Elephants demonstrate excitement by raising their trunks while submission is accompanied with the lowering of the head and trunk. These actions are used by the element to convey a visual message.
Elephants also used auditory mode of communication. They produce different types of sounds aimed at conveying different types of messages to the intended recipients. They, therefore, use sound to communicate to each other about how they feel. The trumpet for instance is a sound that is made by elephants when they are excited or when under distress. This sound is also made to signify aggression. During the fight, elephants roar. Elephants which are wounded bellow (Breed and Moore, 2011). Elephants can also communicate through the use of ultrasonic sounds. The use of these sounds makes it possible for the elephants to communicate with one another irrespective of the geographical distance between them. This sound also enables them to identify any approaching enemy. Touch is a very important form of communication among elephants. Elephants greet each other by wrapping their trunks. Touch is also used in disciplining young ones. This is done through kicking and shoving young ones. “Mothers” and calf communicate through touch. A calf that wants to rest presses against the mother’s front legs. Likewise, if the calf wants to suckle, it would her break or leg. Elephants use also chemicals to enhance their communication process. They secret particular chemicals with a scent would convey a particular message to the recipient.
3.0 Similarities with the Human Communication System
There are various similarities in the manner in which elephants and human beings communicate. The use of visual communication modes for instance is one of the common features between the elephant language and the human language. Each of these two communication systems has different visual expression aimed at conveying a particular message. An elephant that is excited would be observed raising its trunks. A human being who is excited would be observed maintaining a facial expression which demonstrates a high level of excitement. This, therefore, means that for each of these two communication systems, particular motions demonstrate particular messages to the intended recipients. The most basic type of communication for human beings is through the use of vocals. It is, however, important to note that the human being’s level of communicate is more advanced as compared to that of the elephant. This, therefore, means that, each of these two communication systems employs a vocal mode of communication to deliver particular messages. Elephants would show distress through bellowing while human beings would cry out and call for help. The similarity between these two communication systems is the fact that different sounds are used indifferent situations depending on the message to be delivered.
There is also a similarity between the elephant communication system and the human communication system. This is because in both systems of communication touch is used as communication mode. Human being use touch to communicate with one another and especially when needs to make sure that the recipient has indeed understood what is being communicated. It is also important to note that the use of chemicals to enhance communication between different parties is not only animals, but it is also among human beings. This is the case especially as far as the human reproductive process is concerned. Chemicals are secreted when human beings intend to engage in the procreation process. These chemicals make each of the parties to this process to be prepared for the process thus further enhancing the level of communication among other. It is, therefore, important to note that the communication system of an elephant is very close to the human communication system. These similarities are in respect to the fact that, in both the elephant communication system and the human communication system, there are four modes of communication: visual, auditory, touch and chemicals.
4.0 Differences
There are also a number of differences between the communication system of an elephant and the human communication system. The first difference is the fact that human beings articulate words while elephants only make sounds. Human beings have the capacity to make a sound and still make use of their auditory abilities to state their concerns and what they desire to be done. The fact that human beings can speak brings out a glaring difference between the communication system of elephants and the human communication system. Secondly, elephants can communicate through the use of seismic waves. Seismic waves are vibrations produced by the impact of the earth surface. This enables elephants to sense an enemy from a long distance. This enables them to get prepared to defend one another from the predators within the jungle. Human beings cannot communicate through the use of seismic waves. This is indeed a difference between the mode of communication of elephants and human beings. Communication can only be effective if the recipient of the message can decode the information sent to him. Human beings can only communicate through the normal communication modes like the use of words. Human beings also use facial expressions to make sure that the information being conveyed is delivered at the highest level of quality.
It is also important to note that among elephants, one of the most important modes of communication is through touch. Mothers ensure that their calves are well taken care of through making sure that they touch them using their tails or trunks whenever they move from one place to another. This ensures that the calves are not lost and this improves their level of safety. As far as human communication system is concerned, touching is important it is not over-relied upon to bring forth effective communication. This therefore means that there is a huge difference between the elephant communication system and the human communication. The human communication system is more advanced than the elephant communication system. This is because elephants among other animals cannot communicate by use of words.
5.0 Conclusion
The elephant communication system is made of four major components: visual auditory, touch and chemical. Each of these modes is used at its unique time to convey a particular message. For instance, when an elephant is excited it would raise its trunk. There are a number of similarities in between the elephant communication system and the human system. One of the similarities is the fact they all use visual mode of communication. Secondly, each of these communication systems uses auditory communication mode to convey messages. The difference between these communication systems is the fact that elephants use seismic was to communicate with one another as well as detect any predator. It is therefore safe to conclude that the elephant communication system is different from the human communication system
Work cited
Bradshaw, G.A (2005) Recovery: From Human Violence to Liberation Ecopsychology Burlington: ProQuest
Breed, M.D. & Moore, J. (2011) Animal Behavior London: Academic Press
