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January 06, 2005
whistle click beep
A recent study has shown that a whistling language developed by shepherds in the Canary Islands is processed by the brain in the same way as ordinary speech. It implies that the brain can process other non-verbal communication as language, too.
If you've read David Brin's Startide Rising, this should ring a bell. (If you haven't, consider this a recommendation.) The book has neo-dolphins and humans communicating in a common language, developed to allow either species to make the appropriate sounds.
[Deana points out an earlier post about Silbo, the language in question. The new article is more about how the language is processed in the brain. ~c]
Posted by Chris at January 6, 2005 12:14 PMComments
A few months ago was, like, 15 months ago. Oh well.
[I'm sure Chris will pretty this up] [ he did. ~c ]
The link from my original post no longer works, dag bum it. So I'm whistling the blues...
Posted by: Deana at January 6, 2005 03:00 PMI've updated the link from your original post to reference a more permanent CNN article, hopefully based on the same source.
Posted by: Chris at January 6, 2005 03:17 PMThe mp3 link on that article no longer works, but this link does: http://www.coreyhaines.com/coreysramblings/content/binary/silbo.mp3
Deana, lovin' me some Silbo
Posted by: Deana at January 6, 2005 03:20 PM
Oh, phoo. I read this earlier and then decided not to post anything because I have a vague memory of posting something about Silbo a few months ago. I have (used to have?) a great Jacques Cousteau documentary that discussed dolphin whistles as a potential form of communication, then showed people using Silbo to demonstrate that whistling languages do exist.
Posted by: Deana at January 6, 2005 02:57 PM