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Published on: January 5, 2024
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Gelada vocal sequences follow Menzerath's linguistic law
Morgan L Gustison1, Stuart Semple2, Ramon Ferrer-I-Cancho3
1Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109; gustison@umich.edu.
Summary
Menzerath's law, a linguistic principle, applies to gelada vocalizations. Larger vocal sequences in geladas have shorter call durations, suggesting shared communication principles between humans and animals.
Area of Science:
- Comparative linguistics
- Bioacoustics
- Primate communication
Background:
- Identifying universal principles in natural systems is a key life science goal.
- Linguistic laws are increasingly explored for patterns in nonhuman animal communication.
- Menzerath's law posits that larger linguistic constructs have smaller constituents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the applicability of Menzerath's law to nonhuman animal vocal communication.
- To determine if vocal sequence size correlates with constituent (call) size in geladas.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of vocal sequences from wild male geladas (Theropithecus gelada).
- Statistical correlation analysis between sequence size (number of calls) and constituent size (call duration).
- Examination of call type composition and intercall intervals in relation to sequence size.
Main Results:
- A significant negative correlation was found between vocal sequence size and call duration in geladas, supporting Menzerath's law.
- Call duration did not vary significantly with position, but call composition changed with sequence size, with abbreviations in larger sequences.
- Intercall intervals showed a similar relationship with sequence size as did the calls themselves.
Conclusions:
- Menzerath's law appears to be a universal principle applicable to gelada vocal communication.
- Findings suggest shared underlying principles in human and gelada vocal communication.
- This study highlights the value of applying linguistic laws to understand non-linguistic vocal systems.
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