Do killer whales (orcinus orca) vocalize in
learned dialects? Yes, says Ann E. Bowles, Ph.D.,
Senior Research
Biologist in Bioacoustics, Animal Behavior and Sensory
Ecology.
at the Hubbs-Seaworld
Research Institute, San Diego.
Speaking at the September meeting of the Orange County
chapter of the Acoustical Society of America, Dr.
Bowles, who studies killer whale communication at
Hubbs-Seaworld, said that vocal development in killer
whales bears striking similarities to human vocal
development. For that reason, such research can
provide insight into the biological basis and the
evolution of human language.
Among mammals, only primates and cetaceans appear to
have learned dialects, according to Dr. Bowles. Eight
to fifteen dialects uniquely identify pods, which are
matriarchal. Members of the genetically related pods
appear to learn these dialects when young, and, much
like humans, the cetaceans have difficulty learning
new calls in adulthood. And, like human infants, they
make babbling sounds at first that gradually become
language. They are able to vocalize up to four sounds
simultaneously, but do not acquire multiple variants
of their primary call.
Bowles illustrated her talk with photographs,
sonograms, and sound recordings of killer whale
vocalizations at various stages of maturity.
There were no marine mammal experts in the audience.
Yet all present were able to understand and appreciate
the presentation. It seemed to the audience that the
speaker had an unusually strong empathy with animals.
We also learned some of the limitations and ethical
implications of conducting research on caged animals,
as well as the special opportunities they afford.
Understanding cetaceans’ ways helps their caretakers
to improve the health and comfort of these magnificent
animals.
