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New research shows that whale songs follow the same statistical patterns as human language, revealing surprising parallels in communication.
Language has long been seen as a defining trait of human intelligence. Unlike the communication systems of other species, human language consists of predictable, recurring elements that follow statistical patterns. These structures aid learning and transmission across generations.
A recent study suggests that these same features may exist in the complex vocal displays of humpback whales.
Researchers have discovered that whale songs share statistical properties found in human speech. By applying methods inspired by how infants segment language, they uncovered a pattern in whale vocalization that had previously gone undetected.
Findings, published in the journal Science, suggest a deep commonality between two species separated by millions of years of evolution, both relying on cultural transmission to shape their communication.
