Do animals speak languages?

A look into the voices of animals

By Anne Sun

Language is a complicated form of communication that humans use. However, we don’t understand the language unless we learn it. Animals such as dogs have IQ similar to that of a 2 year old. If 2 year olds can speak simple words like “mommy”, is it possible that a dog’s “woof” has a meaning too? In other words, are the sounds that animals make a language of their own?

Do animals speak animal language?

Here’s the answer: animals technically don’t have a language. The different sounds that come from animals have no exact meaning behind it. Instead they communicate with one another. They ensure their survival through sound, smell, and visual communication. 

Sound – Animals like dolphins may slap their tail on water to warn other dolphins of danger. Other animals may vocally show aggression through growling. Many animals use both vocally and physically made sounds to attract mates, maintain territory, stay with groups, and give warnings. 

Smell – Have you ever wondered why a dog pees on a certain spot? Dogs use the scent from their urine to mark their territory. In fact, many animals use scent to mark their territory.

Visual – Through certain actions, an animal is able to communicate warnings, mating calls and much more. One example would be how a peacock displays its feathers to attract a mate. In other cases, animals may also use gestures and facial expressions. Young chimpanzees “grin” to communicate submission and fear towards dominant male chimpanzees.

Why don’t animals just learn our language then?

Speaking a language has little to do with IQ. Instead it has to do with our vocal capabilities. Firstly, human bodies are built differently. The size of our mouth to the length of our throat all affects our speech abilities. In short, humans are built differently from other animals, which gives us the ability to speak. Secondly, humans have better breath control. We are able to control the speed and amount of air we release with each word we speak. Sadly, most animals are unable to do that and are only able to make a few sounds before they must breathe again. Lastly, a special part in our brain called the cerebrum, helps us with speech comprehension. The cerebrum in most animals are either undeveloped or nonexistent.

Just because most animals are unable to speak a language, it doesn’t mean that they won’t evolve. As of right now, there are a actually few animals that are able to speak human language. One of them is the parrot. Parrots are able to mimic our language by using the muscles in their throat to limit air flow. Sadly, parrots can mimic but they don’t exactly understand what they mean. They say words like “hello” when you walk in only because they’ve seen you do the same. By copying the sounds around them, parrots are able to “fit in” with others in their flock. However, it isn’t entirely impossible to teach an animal a language. Throughout the last few decades many scientists have been training parrots, orangutans, and elephants to try to speak and understand human language. If you put in some effort, maybe you’ll be able to teach your pet parrot english one day too!