They will respond to the names but only if she can explain what a name is and why she's given them to them. It might take a few tries, but they'll get it. If she asks the captains, they'll be allowed to get a room for them somewhere or she can take them to the room she'll share with Nate. They only lash out if frightened and it's mostly how a child would - yelling, stomping, throwing stuff. The language isn't translatable, but they can learn English if someone is thorough with them. It's only when left without a parent permanently.

They will latch onto her unless she gives them to someone else or shares the responsibility with another figure. They learn, but slowly, so they could latch onto more than one.