Intro LO:
Perhaps, the most important – though (very) implicit – conclusion is that all animal sounds are a form of communication. Our concept of (human) language is (“just”) a “single protein variant”.
Moreover, this article strongly suggests that the Neanderthal must have had language skills, similar to ours. That would also support the ancient mating between Homo sapiens and the Neanderthal.
Early February 2025, the Johns Hopkins University published a study claiming that Bonobos realize when humans miss information and communicate accordingly. Clearly, language is not necessary for communication.
“The study also provides the clearest evidence to date that apes can intuit another’s ignorance, an ability thought to be uniquely human.”
A quote from the 2025 study by Johns Hopkins University
I suppose we still need to wait much longer for Google Translate for Animals.
1440 Daily Digest: A ‘Language Gene’?
“Researchers have pinpointed a single genetic mutation that enables some mice to produce more complex chirps and squeaks, according to a study published yesterday. The results suggest a single protein variant may be largely responsible for the emergence of complex language.
Interest arose in the gene, known as NOVA1, more than a decade ago when it was found to be just one of about two dozen that appeared identical in most mammals—except humans. Mice without any copy of the gene at all die shortly after birth; in the current study, mice engineered with the mutated version produced more complex sounds beginning at birth. The change was reportedly most notable in mating vocalizations between males and females.
Previous studies reveal ancient human relatives like Neanderthals possessed the original gene, while at least 99.99% of modern humans carry the variant. Researchers say the mutation likely had significant evolutionary benefits and appeared after Homo sapiens split from other species around 300,000 years ago.”
Sources:
- 1440 Daily Digest, 19 February 2025: A ‘Language Gene’?
- The Rockefeller University, 18;February 2025: A single protein may have helped shape the emergence of spoken language
- New York Times, 18 February 2025: The Gene That Made Mice Squeak Strangely
- Smithsonian: Human Family Tree; also see picture above
- Volkskrant, 19 februari 2025: Muis met ‘menselijk’ spraakgen piept opeens veel geavanceerder.
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