Why Can't Other Primates Speak?

Monkeys and primates can't speak. That much is certain. We know that some primates can learn to speak sign language and many can learn to understand human words, but they still can't talk to us. Until now, many people believed that was because they were physically incapable of speach, but a new study by the University of Vienna reveals that primates do have the physical ability to speak, with larynx, tongues and lips capable of it. Instead, they now believe that the problem lies in their minds -they simply aren't mentally capable of understanding how to use language and forming words. 

So will they be able to learn to speak eventually? Maybe after another 1000 years or so of evolution.


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Might depend on how long their "tribe" lives in close proximity to humans. My mother's cats learned different sounds for desired outcomes. E.g. going outside, food, litter box full, pick me up. These sounds were consistent across decades but I have never been able to use their "language" to translate for other cats.

My theory is that there needs to be a nascent language in use and at least two individuals who are smart enough to understand and improvise. On their own, 1,000 years does not seem enough. With continuous human contact, maybe.
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