Why people, dolphins or other creatures use baby talk is not certain, but scientists believe it may help offspring learn to pronounce novel sounds.
Research dating back to the 1980s suggests human infants may pay more attention to speech with a greater pitch range.
Female rhesus monkeys may alter their calls to attract and hold offspring's attention. And Zebra finches elevate their pitch and slow down their songs to address chicks, perhaps making it easier to learn birdsong. For the dolphin study, the researchers focused solely on the signature call, so they do not know if dolphins also use baby talk for other exchanges — or whether it helps their offspring learn to "talk" as it seems to do with humans.
"It would make sense if there are similar adaptations in bottlenose dolphins — a long-lived, highly acoustic species," a behavioural ecologist at Denmark's Aarhus University and study co-author, Frants Jensen, said.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Canada investigating why Titanic-bound submersible implodedAuthorities have begun the process of probing the cause of the underwater implosion and grappled with questions of who was responsible for determining how the tragedy unfolded.
Read more »
Why Australia’s middle class could face a lower standard of livingThere’s only so long that the Albanese government can deflect the blame for falling living standards. It must find ways to boost sagging productivity.
Read more »
Why going slower could boost your tax returnTax time starts on Saturday, July 1, but the ATO says critical pre-filled information could take weeks to appear in online systems.
Read more »
Why New Zealand’s Prime Minister took two planes to ChinaNew Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has drawn criticism for taking two Boeing 757 planes with him to China, where he will meet with President Xi Jinping.
Read more »
Why airfares are expected to fall in coming monthsThe cost of flying is expected to be reduced in the coming months, with predictions airfares will fall as airlines add extra capacity to meet soaring demand.
Read more »
Why the RBA has nothing to fear from a burst of Taylor Swift inflationOPINION: The pop star’s concerts have a knack of setting off mini waves of inflation. But come February when she tours Australia, the economy might need a “TSwift Lift”.
Read more »