Sperm Whales Unveil Vowel-Based 'Social Language' Mirroring Human Speech

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have decoded the complex language used by sperm whales living in Earth's oceans. Through the use of AI, the Project CETI team has found that these mammals communicate with each other using strange, Morse code-like clicking patterns that mirror human speech.

The study, which is awaiting peer review, reveals that sperm whales employ a system of patterned click sequences known as 'codas' that include two distinct vowel-like sounds - an 'ah'-like a-coda and an 'ee'-like i-coda. Contrary to previous assumptions, these vowel-like noises are not random, as the whales were observed actively controlling the pitch, length, and type of sounds they were making as they 'pronounced' different words.

The researchers discovered that the whales use this underwater 'social language' during various social interactions, such as greeting family members, staying in touch while diving for food, or coordinating group movements. Just like humans, the whales utilize their lips and air sacs as a sound source and filter to achieve these complex communication patterns.

This marks the first time researchers have found a non-human species using vowel-like sounds and grammar-like rules in the same way humans do to communicate with each other. The findings challenge the long-held notion of whales' communication as an 'alien-looking Morse-code-like system', transforming our understanding of these magnificent creatures.