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The Search to Decipher the Exotic Language of “Dumb” Animals
What research has been performed to discover dolphin, whale, monkey, and bird “speech” to date and what have we learned?
Humans have always placed themselves at the apex of all life on Earth, and one aspect that is a sign of this pre-eminence is the all-important thumb that allows us to manipulate things, unlike other animal life. But have we been blind in refusing to recognize the often complex communication, besides language, that animals use, whether on land or in the water?
I would suspect we have refused to consider animal “language” and, when we have acknowledged some regard for this communication, it has been primarily limited to animals like dolphins in the war effort and whales in efforts to save them from extinction.
Yes, but we must remember Dr. Jane Goodall for all her efforts with chimpanzees and Dr. Dian Fossey who worked with mountain gorillas until her murder by poachers in 1985. She wrote “Gorillas in the Mist.” But have we ever thought mice sing? Because we can’t hear them, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
The study of animal communication includes chemical signaling, body language, and vocalizations. It helps to make sense of the complexities of social dynamics, animal behavior, and evolutionary adaptations. This research has a wide range of…
