Scientists call this phenomenon the "law of brevity," and it exists in all human languages. "The more you're going to have to say something, the shorter you want it to be so you can diminish the amount of time it takes you to communicate," said Lusseau, who is also looking for other types of similarities between human and dolphin communication systems. "The listener is trying to make the least effort possible to understand what is said to him or her," he said. "The speaker is trying to make the least effort possible to communicate." Until now, scientists had never documented the law of brevity in another species, but research behaviorist Brenda McCowan suspects that that dolphins and humans aren't the only ones who use it. Systems of communication, she said, might simply need to be structured in certain ways in order to work. "This work contributes to the growing body of data that humans are not as unique as once thought and that we have profound similarities in our behavior and communication with other animals," said McCowan, of the University of California, Davis. "Among other compelling data that support how profoundly similar we are to other animals," she added. The new study "should provoke us to think about our relationship with other animals and their place in society." Related Links: HowStuffWorks.com: West Nile Virus Get More NewsSpiders, Scorpions Among World's Oldest CreaturesMany creepy crawlies have been on Earth much longer than previously believed.Blood-Sucking Vampire Bats Sing DuetsWhite-winged vampire bats "harmonize" with separated roost mates.Oldest Hebrew Writing Possibly FoundAncient inscriptions on a 3,000-year-old pottery shard could make history.Rare, Prehistoric-Age Reptile Found in N.Z.A tuatara has been spotted on the New Zealand mainland for the first time in 200 years.Iceman Has No Living RelativesOetzi, the 5,300 year-old frozen mummy, left no living genetic legacy.SLIDE SHOW: Landscapes of TerrorWhat makes a place feel scary? There are scientific explanations.It's Official: People Are Warming the PolesHumans are conclusively to blame for polar warming, say scientists.Eight-Armed Animal Preceded DinosaursWhat may be one of Earth's first animals was no bigger than a coaster and had eight arms.Phoenicians Live on in People's GenesOne in 17 Mediterranean men may be descended from ancient Phoenicians.Pesticides, Fertilizers Linked to Frog DeclineA pesticide is found to promote parasites among amphibians.Hubble Telescope Taking Photos AgainThe Hubble Space Telescope is once again snapping stunning photos of the universe.Andean Mummy Hairs Show Hallucinogen UseScientists find direct evidence of hallucinogenic drug use among ancient Andeans.Opals on Mars Reveal Planet's Long Wet PastOpals found on Mars suggest the planet has been wet for much longer. |
advertisement
Top Stories Today20 Feb
19 Feb
19 Feb
18 Feb
18 Feb
18 Feb
18 Feb
18 Feb
18 Feb
18 Feb
|
-
our sites
-
video
mobile
-
shop
-
stay connected
-
corporate
