Orangutans in South-East Asia have been observed making vowel and consonant sounds simultaneously, similar to beatboxing. This complex ability sheds light on the evolution of human speech. Researchers from the University of Warwick recorded two groups of orangutans in Indonesia over 3800 hours. They found that female orangutans in Sumatra produce consonant-like kissing sounds and vowel-like hu-hooing sounds to warn their group about predators. Meanwhile, males in Borneo use mouth chomping and guttural grumbles from the larynx in their calls. It is still unclear if all orangutans use these calls and whether it is innate or learned.
Studies like this highlight the diversity of speech patterns and abilities in species other than humans. Comparisons have often been made with songbirds, but the differences in brain and vocal anatomy make it challenging to draw parallels. Great apes, however, may provide insight into the evolution of human vocal communication. With each new observation, researchers are gaining a better understanding of what our ancestors may have done and how it relates to human speech today.
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Orangutans have demonstrated the ability to make two distinct sounds at once, resembling beatboxing. This complexity in vocal communication provides a glimpse into the evolution of human speech.
Research on speech patterns in non-human species expands our understanding of the diversity of communication abilities beyond humans.
Comparisons with songbirds, which also use bi-phonic techniques, have been limited due to differences in brain and vocal anatomy. Orangutans, as great apes, offer a potentially more relatable connection to human vocal communication.
Each observation of orangutans’ vocal abilities contributes to the growing knowledge of our ancestors’ communication practices and how they relate to present-day human speech.
