Can animals on animal farm speak?

In George Orwell's "Animal Farm," the animals initially cannot speak human language, but they gain the ability to communicate with each other and express their thoughts and feelings as the story progresses. This ability symbolizes their growing consciousness and desire for freedom. However, their speech is limited to their experiences and understanding of their situation, reflecting the themes of the struggle for power and the manipulation of language. Eventually, the pigs, who assume leadership, become increasingly human-like in their speech and behavior, highlighting the corruption of ideals.