Talking animal
The talking animal or speaking animal term may be used in the following senses.
- The term may have a nearly literal meaning, referring to real-life animals that either imitate human speech or have a pronounced way of vocal communication, "speech". For example, a parrot is a speaking animal. "Speech" of dolphins and apes is widely discussed and investigated.
- Speaking animals are a common theme in mythology, folk tales and literature. The "Three Little Pigs", "Little Red Riding Hood", and the "Musicians of Bremen" are examples of fairy tales featuring talking animals. In some ancient examples, in the Book of Numbers, Balaam's ass is said to have spoken to him. Later, the animals surrounding Jesus at the time of his birth in the stable were said to have talked.
- Finally, there is a well-known paradoxical definition: "Man is a speaking animal."
Fictional talking animals
Having the animals talk enables storytellers to combine the basic character of the animal -- the supposed rapacity of the wolf -- with human behavior -- attempting to trick the pigs. This is an example of anthropomorphism. The animals can also interact with humans better if they talk. See, for example, the fables of La Fontaine.
Talking animals may be roughly classified into the following categories, depending on the degree how talk influences their behavior. Of course, many cases may be something in betwen; the classsification below is only a frame of reference.
Talking animals which are still animals
Balaam's donkey is an example.
Animals who interact with humans
Numerous science fiction and fantasy stories intermix human and animal characters. In C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia, the world is saved by a talking lion and a brave talking squirrel fighting side by side with humans, but there are also conventional non-talking animals in the books. In one of the world's depicted in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials novels, each human character is accompanied by a daemon in the form of a talking animal, and the race of armored talking bears plays a major part in the stories.
Animals that portray humans
Simulated humans
There are numerous series of children books, such as Berenstain Bears series, in which the fact that the protagonists are animals is an attraction per se, and possibly a way to add comism to the story. You may retell them in terms of humans and the plot will basically survive. In these tales animals either have human names or at least called "papa Bear", "mama Bear", etc. They drive cars, dress like people and go shopping. The book of Richard Scarry are similar.
The Wind in the Willows has talking badgers living under a river bank while Mr. Toad lives in Toad Hall and takes them on a wild ride in his motor-car.
Exaggerated humans
In many fables, each particular animal typically represents a certain human trait, traditionally associated with it. For example, a fox is supposed to be cunning, a hare is supposed to be a coward (whenever it is brave or smart, this is only with the goal to create a paradox with respect to the common expectation). In these tales, the names of the animals are simply their capitalized names of species: Mr. Fox Mr. Hare, etc.
Humanized animals
This category is somewhere in between the former two. They don't drive cars and live in the woods, but the narration usually has a human morale. The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Thumbelina by Andersen would be a couple of classic examples.
See also
