In this case, BANANA does not represent or mean a banana, so it is not a symbol. Rather, BANANA is merely a certain geometrically perceived shape that comes to be associated with a banana in such a way that the latter is anticipated when the former is observed. By contrast, real language requires symbols and not mere signs. When language-users say “banana,” the word represents, means, and refers to actual bananas. Now the evidence suggests that animals have certain abilities to manipulate and behaviorally