The transcript of a live chat session with Koko the Gorilla on America Online, April 27, 1998. Koko's trainer, Dr. Francine "Penny" Patterson, used sign language to relay the gorilla questions from the on-line audience. The chat was moderated by Jenny Hansell, a.k.a. "HaloMyBaby."

HaloMyBaby:

Welcome, Dr. Patterson and Koko, we're so happy you're here! Is Koko aware that she's chatting with thousands of people?

LiveKOKO:

Good hear.

DrPPatrsn:

Koko is aware.

HaloMyBaby:

I'll start taking questions from the audience now. MInyKitty asks, Koko are you going to have a baby in the future?

LiveKOKO:

Pink

DrPPatrsn:

Koko was commenting on the color of my shirt. We had an earlier discussion about colors today.

LiveKOKO:

Koko—love eat.

HaloMyBaby:

In case you're curious, here's how Koko is able to participate in this chat: Dr. Patterson is signing the questions from the online audience to Koko and a typist is entering for her. Rulucky asks: Do you like to chat with other people?

LiveKOKO:

fine nipple

DrPPatrsn:

Nipple rhymes with people, she doesn't sign people per se, she was trying to do a "sounds like..."

HaloMyBaby:

Dr. Patterson, you've devoted your whole life to this project! What are we learning?

DrPPatrsn:

I started the project simply to see if another species could communicate with us in another language, such as sign language. It turns out that Koko is very creative with that language and can talk about abstract things.

HaloMyBaby:

I can see that!

DrPPatrsn:

Koko will respond to things at a sophisticated level ... She actually discriminates English, not just the words but the things words are made of—phonemes.

HaloMyBaby:

Another question from the audience: Does Koko like birds?

DrPPatrsn:

Koko just walked away, she's looking out the window...

HaloMyBaby:

She's looking at the birds!

DrPPatrsn:

There are a number of blue jays that have been frequenting her play yard, exactly! She's going to look at the birds!

HaloMyBaby:

Are there any birds out there now?

DrPPatrsn:

One just flew by.

HaloMyBaby:

Storm1004 asks: Dear Koko, I've watched you for years now ... your gentle spirit is inspiration for many ... I'd like to know what you'd like for your birthday.

HaloMyBaby:

What a sweet question!

LiveKOKO:

Birthday. Food smokes.

HaloMyBaby:

SMOKES?

DrPPatrsn:

You have to understand ... Smoke is also the name of her kitten.

HaloMyBaby:

HMBarbari asks Koko: Have you ever tried to teach your kittens sign language?

DrPPatrsn:

She's looking out the window right now ... Actually, I can tell you that she has not tried to teach them sign language but she has tries to nurse her kittens.

HaloMyBaby:

Wow!

DrPPatrsn:

It's very important to her. She's 310 lbs. I can't get her to turn around...

HaloMyBaby:

Sounds like Koko might have had enough?

DrPPatrsn:

She's got a toy alligator. She's playing with her alligator and her lady doll. Oh, my! she may be doing a little acting out here.

HaloMyBaby:

She sounds like she's working out a bit of aggression! I'm trying to get a picture of where you are, what it looks like.

DrPPatrsn:

We're in Koko's kitchen area. There are toys all around a refrigerator, television, stuffed animals, videos. I gave her a couple of fabric bracelets ... she's looking at them. She's putting them on her head because actually these are scrunchies.

HaloMyBaby:

Does she have hair, or is it like fur?

DrPPatrsn:

She has hair.

LiveKOKO:

fine

DrPPatrsn:

She has fine hair. It's beautiful!

LiveKOKO:

sip

DrPPatrsn:

I think it's about dinner time for her now.

HaloMyBaby:

How do you feel about Michael [a gorilla who has also been trained by Dr. Patterson]?

LiveKOKO:

foot, foot, good

HaloMyBaby:

foot means male, right?

LiveKOKO:

nipple

DrPPatrsn:

She's acting out a little here.

HaloMyBaby:

What about Ndume [a gorilla who is Koko's breeding partner]?

LiveKOKO:

bad

HaloMyBaby:

Oh dear

LiveKOKO:

toilet

HaloMyBaby:

Uh oh! From the audience: Koko, do you feel love from the humans who have raised you and cared for you? Ely35150 asked that.

LiveKOKO:

lips, apple give me

DrPPatrsn:

People give her her favorite foods.

LiveKOKO:

love, browse drink nipple

DrPPatrsn:

Browse is like ... the little food/snacks we give them.

LiveKOKO:

koko loves that nipple drink, go

DrPPatrsn:

She's kissing her alligator.

LiveKOKO:

lights off good

DrPPatrsn:

Ok. She's ready for dinner!

HaloMyBaby:

So we should say goodbye?

DrPPatrsn:

She blew a kiss!

HaloMyBaby:

Good bye and thank you Koko! Thank you Dr. Patterson!

LiveKOKO:

look

HaloMyBaby:

I would be happy to come see her so she could look at me!

LiveKOKO:

hat hat

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