Dr. Rumbaugh said he was hoping to begin a related project to determine whether similar methods and equipment could be used to teach language to mentally retarded and emotionally disturbed children who had failed to develop language on their own.

The idea Is that if human children, akin grasp the idea that language is a tool for making their lives more comfortable or interesting, they will be motivated to switch from Yerkish to ordinary English.

Computers Are Complex

Although the computers and other hardware necessary to Lana's progress are complex, their operation is simple. In Lana's room is a console with 75 buttons, each bearing a ditinctive geometric symbol such as a triangle superimposed on a vertical line. Each button stands for one word.

When Lana presses a button two things happen. The symbol is projected in the next available space in a row of display panels above the console and a teletypewriter outside the room prints the equivalent word in English.

If Lana presses the buttons for “Please, machine, give piece‐of apple,” a vending machine, serves up a piece of ‐apple. Lana can also ask for water,.milk, the opening of a window, the playing of music or a movie from the “machine.”

Human beings can also converse with Lana via the computer by pressing the buttons on Lana's console or on a similar. console outside the Plexiglas wall of her room. Lana has learned to read the projected geometric symbols and interpret them as meaningful words and sentences. So, incidentally, have her teachers.

Knows Six Colors

Lana, for example, knows the names of six colors and of several objects. It is possible to go into Lana's room with three different objects, each a different color and ask such questions as “? What color of this shoe.” Lana will usually give the correct color. The next question can be, “? What name‐of this which‐is orange,” and Lana will, almost invariably name the object.