Dolphin language may have grammar


Humans may not be the only ones to use grammar and vocabulary to speak and communicate. Scientists believe dolphins also use words and sentences to speak to each other. We have known for a long time that dolphins can communicate. New research suggests that this communication is similar to the conversations humans have. Scientists say the clicks, whistles and other sounds that dolphins make appear to be sentences that let the sea creatures send messages to each other. The dolphins use their language to identify themselves, have relations with other dolphins, and do things together. Scientists say that one day, we may be able to understand dolphin language and talk to dolphins.

Researchers at the Karadag Nature Reserve in Crimea made the discovery that dolphins had their own language after recording two Black Sea bottlenose dolphins. The dolphins were named Yasha and Yana. The scientists noticed that one dolphin listened to what the other was saying and then replied. Lead researcher Dr Vyacheslav Ryabov said: "This exchange resembles a conversation between two people." He added: "This language exhibits all the design features present in the human spoken language. This indicates a high level of intelligence and consciousness in dolphins." Dr Ryabov said the dolphins' language is, "a highly developed spoken language, like the human language."

1. CONVERSATIONS: What would like to have a conversation about with these creatures (and why)? Discuss this with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

  • Dolphin
  • Cockroach
  • Lion
  • Ant
  • Eagle
  • Snake

2. LANGUAGE: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important things about language at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

·        listening

·        speaking

·        writing

·        handwriting

·        vocabulary

·        pronunciation

·        reading

·        grammar

3. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. speak
  2. a long time
  3. appear
  4. relations
  5. understand
  6. named
  7. noticed
  8. exhibits
  9. consciousness
  10. highly
  1. awareness
  2. bonds
  3. comprehend
  4. called
  5. observed
  6. seem
  7. very
  8. talk
  9. shows
  10. ages

4.Role play

Role A — Vocabulary

You think vocabulary is most important in a language. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so necessary for communication. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): reading, grammar or speaking.

Role B — Reading

You think reading is most important in a language. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so necessary for communication. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): vocabulary, grammar or speaking.

Role C — Grammar

You think grammar is most important in a language. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so necessary for communication. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): reading, vocabulary or speaking.

Role D — Speaking

You think speaking is most important in a language. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so necessary for communication. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why):  reading, grammar or vocabulary.

5.Discussion - Dolphin language may have grammar

  1. What springs to mind when you hear the word 'dolphin'?
  2. What do you think about what you read?
  3. How intelligent do you think dolphins are?
  4. What do you think dolphins talk about?
  5. How important are dolphins?
  6. What can we learn from dolphins?
  7. What would you like to talk to dolphins about?
  8. What other animals would you like to communicate with?
  9. What can we do to protect dolphins?
  1. How might dolphin language differ from human language?
  2. Would you like to do research into dolphins?
  3. How advanced is your grammar and vocabulary?
  4. Are you good at listening to other people?
  5. Are dolphins more intelligent than humans?
  6. Do you think there will be dolphin language schools one day?
  7. How surprised are you that dolphins have a language?
  8. Do you think dolphins can speak to other creatures?
  9. What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

 

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