MIT CSAIL Discovers Sperm Whale 'Alphabet' in Study Published in Nature Communications

May 7, 2024, 04:12 PM

Researchers at MIT CSAIL, in collaboration with Project CETI, have made a significant breakthrough in understanding sperm whale communication by identifying what they describe as a 'phonetic alphabet.' This discovery was facilitated by the analysis of 8,719 whale click sounds, known as 'codas,' using advanced machine learning technologies. The study, led by MIT CSAIL head Daniela Rus and published in Nature Communications, reveals that these clicking sounds include subtle variations in pacing and rhythm, suggesting a complex communication system akin to human language. This research challenges previous understandings of animal vocalizations and suggests that sperm whales have the ability to convey a richer amount of information than previously known.