Published by Hermann, this book by Anne-Lise Giraud, director of the reConnect Institute, explores the unique bonds between humans and dogs.
We often hear people say that dogs are only missing the ability to speak.
Indeed, why, after 35,000 years of cohabitation, friendship, and service, do they still not speak to us? How did humans acquire speech, and how much of it do our canine companions understand? What do we really communicate with them?
Why do we speak to them in a silly tone? What limitations prevent them from responding to us or simply telling us what they think of us?
Neuroscience—both human and animal—provides serious answers to these sometimes naive questions. And a groundbreaking experiment is challenging our belief that only humans can use language to communicate and question the very meaning of existence.
So? Do they think like humans?
Anne-Lise Giraudis a neuroscientist and CNRS professor atInstitut Pasteur. She heads the reConnect Institute, which focuses on hearing and speech disorders, and collaborates with the University of Geneva and the NCCR Evolving Language. In 2023, she received the Lamonica Grand Prize in Neurology, and the CNRS Silver Medal in 2025.
