According to a study led by the University of Warwick, orangutans possess the ability to produce two separate sounds simultaneously, similar to songbirds or human beatboxers. This revelation, published in the journal PNAS Nexus, offers insights into the evolution of human speech and beatboxing.
Researchers conducted observations on vocalizing orangutan populations in Borneo and Sumatra, totaling 3,800 hours, and identified the same vocal phenomenon in both groups. Dr. Adriano Lameira, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Warwick, explains that while humans use specific parts of their anatomy to produce consonant and vowel sounds, orangutans are capable of making both types of sounds simultaneously. For example, male orangutans in Borneo produce “chomps” and “grumbles” during combative situations, while female orangutans in Sumatra produce “kiss squeaks” and “rolling calls” to alert others of potential threats.
The presence of this vocal ability in two separate orangutan populations confirms its biological nature. The researchers note that the findings challenge previous underestimations of the vocal control and coordination abilities of great apes in comparison to birds. Dr. Madeleine Hardus, co-author and independent researcher, points out that humans typically do not produce voiced and voiceless noises simultaneously, except for in beatboxing. This raises questions about the origins of the human ability to beatbox and suggests that it may be linked to the evolution of our ancestors.
According to the researchers, the study’s implications extend to the vocal capabilities of our shared ancestors and the evolution of human speech and beatboxing. Dr. Lameira suggests that early human language may have resembled something closer to beatboxing before evolving into the structure of consonants and vowels that we know today.
More information: Wild orangutans can simultaneously use two independent vocal sound sources similarly to songbirds and human beatboxers, PNAS Nexus (2023). DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad182
Citation: Orangutans can make two sounds at the same time, similar to human beatboxing, study finds (2023, June 27) retrieved 27 June 2023 from https://phys.org/news/2023-06-orangutans-similar-human-beatboxing.html
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