SYMBOL COMPREHENSION AND LEARNING: A "VOCABULARY" TEST OF THREE CHIMPANZEES (PAN TROGLODYTES)* Michael J. Beran, E. Sue Savage-Rumbaugh, Karen E. Brakke, John W. Kelley & Duane M. Rumbaugh Language Research Center 3401 Panthersville Road Decatur, GA. 30034, USA mjberan@concentric.net ABSTRACT Language comprehension in the great apes has been investigated through a variety of paradigms. This experiment employed a match-to-sample computer task to investigate the current language comprehension of three chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) raised in different language environments but with a similar symbol system (lexigrams). Each of these animals still uses the lexigram keyboard system on a daily basis but none of the animals are the focus of ongoing ape Michael J. Beran, Department of Psychology and the Language Research Center, Georgia State University; E. Sue Savage-Rumbaugh, Departments of Biology and Psychology and the Language Research Center, Georgia State University; Karen E. Brakke, Morris Brown College and the Language Research Center; John W. Kelley, Language Research Center, Georgia State University; Duane M. Rumbaugh, Departments of Psychology and Biology and the Language Research Center, Georgia State University. This research was supported by National Institutes of Health grant NICHD — 06016 to the Language Research Center of Georgia State University. The authors would like to thank Daniel Rice for his assistance in conducting experimental sessions with the chimpanzees. The authors would also like to thank all the people who have helped raise and care for the chimpanzees throughout their lives. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Michael J. Beran, Language Research Center, 3401 Panthersville Road, Decatur, Georgia 30034 USA. Electronic mail may be sent via the Internet to mjberan@concentric.net. Evolution of Communication 2:2 (1998), 171-188.DOI10.1075/eoc.2.2.02ber ISSN 1387-5337 / E-ISSN 1569-9757 © John Benjamins Publishing Company