Potential For Disaster
By Mitch Berg
I’m a language geek.
So it’s not a mystery why I flocked to this story. Sperm whales communicate via a series of morse code-like clicking sounds.
And those sounds apparently have dialect differences and, according to researchers,
Differences in the patterned clicks that sperm whales use to communicate with each other seem to be down to culture and not genetics, say researchers.
The finding could influence conservation efforts; instead of focussing solely on where the animals live, protection should also consider which dialect they use.
In other words, conservation efforts – say some of the researchers – should focus on cultural differences between the groups of whales.
Let’s hope it doesn’t turn into full-blown multiculturalism
April 18th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
Does this mean there is a sperm whale equivalent of “ebonics”?
April 18th, 2012 at 2:38 pm
Kel: That was my first thought. You win. To expand: Do their clicks and whistles indicate which ocean they come from? When an Indian Ocean sperm whale wanders into the Pacific is it ‘profiled?’
April 18th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
TBS: yep! if you “free willie” into the wrong neighborhood things could turn out badly for him.
April 18th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
Sounds like environmental anthropomorphism to me. Someone has been watching too many Disney flicks..
April 18th, 2012 at 6:57 pm
uh…huhh….hhuhuhuh…..you said “sperm”. huhuhuhuhhuhuhhuh
April 18th, 2012 at 6:59 pm
Dammit Beavis, you forgot to do your html tags properly!
<Butthead>
uh…huhh….hhuhuhuh…..you said “sperm”. huhuhuhuhhuhuhhuh
</Butthead>
April 19th, 2012 at 6:40 pm
@ Kel:
If you “free willie” in the wrong neighborhood, you may very well find yourself a registered sex offender….