Species · Sperm whale
Sperm whale
Physeter macrocephalus
A phonetic alphabet of clicks. Combinatorial, context-sensitive. 35 distinct codas in the recorded data.
- Breakthrough
- 2024
- Origin
- Eastern Caribbean clan · Dominica
What the science says
In 2024 a team led by Pratyusha Sharma showed that sperm whale vocalisations carry four combinatorial features — rhythm, tempo, rubato, ornamentation — that work like the building blocks of a phonetic system. Three design features of human language, in another species.
Rhythm
The pattern of inter-click intervals within a coda.
Tempo
The overall click rate, varied across utterances of the same type.
Rubato
Smooth tempo variation across nearby codas of the same type.
Ornamentation
An extra final click that decorates an otherwise-known coda.
Experiences
01 · Decoder
The Phonetic Alphabet
Every utterance type in the recorded data, as a wall of tiles. Hover to hear.
02 · Combinator
Speak Their Language
Set the features. Produce a vocalization. Find out if the species ever made it.
03 · Eavesdrop
Recorded Exchanges
Real interactions between individuals, presented as chat threads.