Sperm Whales Reveal a Sophisticated Vocal Alphabet
TL;DR Summary
New research analyzing 2014–2018 recordings of Caribbean sperm whales finds signs of a highly complex phonetic system in their calls, including vowel-like patterns and diphthongs. Using GANs within Project CETI, scientists identify vowels differentiated by inter-click intervals and suggest these whales may have a developing vocabulary, with a goal to interpret around 20 expressions (e.g., diving, sleeping) by 2031.
- Sperm Whales Speak With a Complex Alphabet and Even Have ‘Vowels,’ Study Finds Gizmodo
- Sperm whales may make their own vowel sounds, similar to human language Scientific American
- We’re one step closer to understanding the sperm whale ‘alphabet’ National Geographic
- Sperm whales’ communication closely parallels human language, study finds The Guardian
- Scientists Found Human Speech-Like Patterns in Sperm Whale Clicks ScienceAlert
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