Biology Stack Exchange
Biology Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [language]

29 questions
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Can dolphins actually communicate linguistically?

Humans use "language." By language, I mean the thing I am using right now to talk to you. I know dolphins and orcas have very complex communication systems and also seem to process linguistic and gestural commands. But do they have their own…
Stan Shunpike
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Why are we using upper teeth and lower lip on labiodental sounds?

I came to wonder this when studying language (as well as other same theme question posted just few ago). For example the word "fantastic" we use upper teeth and lower lip to produce F sound, instead of using lower teeth and upper lip, which would…
MarkokraM
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1 answer

How and why did mouth and nasal cavity evolve separate?

My initial objection is that nose filters air, mouth is for eating but is used for breathing also, plus they both are used to create sounds. What is the cause and reason in this case, why do we need two "holes" and one is not good enough?
MarkokraM
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8
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Do blind people learn Braille equally fast as the sighted?

The visually deprived brain undergoes extensive remodeling due to cross-modal plasticity. This leads to increased areas of the cortex being available for other purposes such as tactile processing. Now I am wondering if there is anything known about…
AliceD
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Is there such thing as Animal non-verbal body language?

Have there been any studies done on the animal use of their bodies to signal, communicate or express their emotions, particularly to members of other species (ex: humans)? I've been observing a very intelligent indoor-outdoor cat who has been doing…
Alex Stone
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What are the most well-understood vocal animal languages?

Just as the Bee dance, for a "language", I mean that there are vocal pattens, or "grammar". In the nature, there are many intelligent animals like human beings. Bird songs, whale songs, dogs? In fact, bird vocalization includes both bird calls and…
Osiris Xu
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Have scientists tried to communicate with Sperm whales?

I see lots of passive studies of sperm whale click "language", usually focused on fingerprinting to identify groups and individuals. There's application of deep learning, and all sorts of advanced analysis. However, I haven't found any examples of…
ZECTBynmo
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Is there a specific suffix for "within a cell"? i.e. in a similar manner to how -aemia refers to within the blood

Words like hyperglycemia and hyponatremia refer to the relative level of each component in the blood, not in the cell. Is there a suffix for within the cell? For reference I would like one word as an alternative to "hyperglycemic cell".
Roby Vicary
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Why should the pharyngeal cavity be essential for articulated speech?

In a lecture, I've been told that one of the signs that homo habilis and homo erectus couldn't speak was that they probably lacked the distinction between oral and pharyngeal cavity. But do we really use it, apart from the nasal consonants?
Probably
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Are we capable to generate sounds of animals to the point that they mistakenly recognize it as members of their species?

From Animal language (Wikipedia), there are many evidences that we can communicate with animals, at least to baboons and dolphins. There is a case that fish moving away when hearing a record of whale sounds, however no examples mentions about the…
Ooker
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Pronunciation of technical vocabulary

All knowledge of biology I have comes from online and after speaking for a brief period of time with someone from a biological education it is very clear that I have no knowledge of the pronunciation of all the necessary jargon I have learnt. For…
Joshua Farrell
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Semantics Question: epigenetic mark on a person's DNA?

In an article on biomarkers of child abuse, the author referred to an "epigenetic mark on a person's DNA". It's a popular science article, so the language may reflect a combination of the journalist's scientific competency and his or her desire to…
Todd Walton
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Is thinking with language efficient?

First off, Im not sure, whether to put this into Cognitive Science or Biology. So sorry, if this is the wrong place. I wondered, whether it is efficent to think with language (of course its efficient for communication). When Im thinking with long…
Mystery
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Which came first in hominid evolution: language or bipedalism?

I suspect both language-use and upright-posture have anatomical consequences. So does the fossil record show which came first? NOTE: To the folks who marked this question "homework": This is certainly not an actual homework question. I have been an…
Christopher Bruns
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Why is the vermis of the cerebellum associated with speech?

I've found multiple sources claiming that damage or impairment as a result of alcohol to the vermis of the cerebellum results in speech impairment. I find this a bit surprising, since the only areas I know that are used for speech production are…
Seanny123
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