Tarzan of the Apes

Language is a significant motif throughout Tarzan of the Apes. By portraying the different languages that Tarzan learns and the impact that understanding language has upon the characters, Burroughs suggests that language is an important technology for humans, but that it is not entirely unique to humans. Learning to read English provides Tarzan with a sense of identity and joy as he discovers more advanced intellectual concepts. While the English language is more advanced and therefore capable of expressing more nuanced and reasonable ideas, animal language allows Tarzan to understand and learn from the beasts of the jungle. While reading language allows Tarzan’s journey to become more human, spoken human language is the ultimate key to allowing him to access the greater complexities of human society.

The language spoken by the group of anthropoid apes who raise Tarzan denotes, contrary to popular belief, that language is not a phenomenon that separates humans from animals. The ape language is described as being limited in vocabulary, thus preventing Tarzan from learning the truth about his heritage. The ape language allows Tarzan to express his dominance over the group and to convey simple commands about how to rule once he decides to leave his kingship behind.