A Dolphin By Any Other Name

SloppyElvis writes "CNN is reporting that scientists have proven that Dolphins can communicate with each other by name. From the article: 'researchers synthesized signature whistles with the caller's voice features removed and played them to dolphins through an underwater speaker' to which the mammals responded. This form of identification in language was previously only known to exist in the human world." Thankfully they still haven't evolved opposable thumbs.

Comments

Sure they might sound smart

[BitterAndDrunk]

But that's just because they're in the water.

Re:*sigh*

[flynt]

On a related note, what the heck does "clinically proven" mean?

It usually means that a randomized clinical trial was performed and the null hypothesis was rejected. If you haven't had any statistics yet, that means that you hypothesize two treatments have the same effect and run a trial. If the results observed would be highly improbable under the equal effect hypothesis (and this probability is very clearly defined), then you have 'clinically proven' treatment A superior, for instance. Statistical hypothesis testing is basically applying the same principle as a reductio ad absurdum from logic. In general, you usually don't 'prove' things in science like you do in math, but that's another topic.

Re:*sigh*

[MasterC]

...it can be proven beyond reasonable doubt.

"reasonable doubt" is a legal term, not a scientific one.

Suspected Whales did this Too

[ClubStew]

This form of identification in language was previously only known to exist in the human world.

While whale-watching in the North Pacific ocean around San Juan Island, the whale expert explained how whales make a unique sound before and after their other phrases, and that these sounds are often accompanied by a reply for a different whale. The unique sounds were most often unique to the whale that responded. As such, experts believed these to be used like names.

Such a conversation would go something like this:

1. Willy. How are you? Willy.
2. Shamu. Fine. Nice day for entertaining whale watchers. Shamu.

Re:I wonder...

[Brandee07]

Dolphin's signature whistles remain constant throughout their whole lives; normally their whistle is based on their mother's whistle. They use both their own whistles and other dolphin's whistles, for self identification and for getting the attention of others. This article suggests they even use the whistles in 3rd person, although I haven't found reference to that in my own research.

There's evidence that dolphins ARE actually self-aware; this is easily proven by putting a mirror in front of them. If they attack the mirror or run away from it, they think it's another animal. If they stare at it, and then turn about and inspect parts of their bodies not normally visible to them, they're aware that the thing in the mirror is them.

/term paper on dolphin communication due 12 noon tomorrow