Chimpanzee calls become more distinct between groups, giving them ‘accents’ similar to humans
A study of chimpanzees in Zambia and Tanzania suggests that their vocal calls develop distinct 'accents' as they age. This indicates that social experience and environment play a significant role in shaping communication patterns in primates.
Why it matters
Understanding the evolutionary roots of vocal learning and cultural transmission in primates provides insight into the development of human language.
Chimpanzee calls become more distinct between populations as the individuals age, suggesting that experience may help shape communication over time.
People can often hear clues about where someone grew up in the way they speak. An accent reflects years of hearing and using sounds within a particular community. Chimpanzees do not have human language, but their calls can also differ from one population to another.
Some of these differences appear in baby chimpanzees and become more pronounced as they grow older.
Human speech is unusually flexible, and researchers want to know whether that ability has deeper evolutionary roots.
Chimpanzees are our closest living relatives .
Chimpanzee calls become more different between groups as the individuals age. This suggests that experience may help shape how they sound.
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