Primates Change Their 'Accent' To Avoid Conflict (phys.org) 37
New research has discovered that monkeys will use the "accent" of another species when they enter its territory to help them better understand one another and potentially avoid conflict. Phys.Org reports: Published in the journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, the study is the first to show asymmetric call convergence in primates, meaning that one species chooses to adopt another species' call patterns to communicate. The study, co-authored by Dr. Jacob Dunn of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), investigated the behavior of 15 groups of pied tamarins (Saguinus bicolor) and red-handed tamarins (Saguinus midas) in the Brazilian Amazon.
The researchers found that when groups of red-handed tamarins entered territory shared with pied tamarins, the red-handed tamarins adopted the long calls used by the pied tamarins. Red-handed tamarins have greater vocal flexibility and use calls more often than pied tamarins, and the scientists believe they might alter their calls to avoid territorial disputes over resources. "We found that only the red-handed tamarins change their calls to those of the pied tamarins, and this only happens in places where they occur together," [said lead author Tainara Sobroza, of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia.] "Why their calls converge in this way is not certain, but it is possibly to help with identification when defending territory or competing over resources."
The researchers found that when groups of red-handed tamarins entered territory shared with pied tamarins, the red-handed tamarins adopted the long calls used by the pied tamarins. Red-handed tamarins have greater vocal flexibility and use calls more often than pied tamarins, and the scientists believe they might alter their calls to avoid territorial disputes over resources. "We found that only the red-handed tamarins change their calls to those of the pied tamarins, and this only happens in places where they occur together," [said lead author Tainara Sobroza, of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia.] "Why their calls converge in this way is not certain, but it is possibly to help with identification when defending territory or competing over resources."
Interesting... (Score:4, Insightful)
Natural code switching?
It keeps one from getting one's ass kicked in nature too, perhaps?
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"Yo, sup? Je moeder , gangster !"
Is this what Canadians say in Quebec when they aren't sure which language they need to blend in with a rough crowd?
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Natural code switching?
How is it that people are just discovering this idea?
Everyone does it naturally. Starting as children we speak different languages with our peers, in class, and at home with parents.
As young adults we learn about social class, and unconsciously adapt our voice and language.
I see on Netflix some black Americans who imagine they are the only people to do this? Ridiculous!
adopt another species' call (Score:3, Funny)
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"Monkeys do it" is not a great defense
We should be smarter than monkeys
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"Monkeys do it" is not a great defense
We should be smarter than monkeys
Language, accents, expressions have always been borrowed, merged, etc. Apparently even by monkeys, lol.
How the heck do you think languages grow and change?
The "woke" effort to declare that process anathema is doomed to failure. (Not that it won't irritate and cause pain along the way, of course.)
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Black (Score:2)
is capitalized, you insensitive clod!
It's called 'spying' (Score:2)
..when you try not to alert the local population to the fact that you are a stranger, up for some monkey-business.
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"up for some monkey-business."
Sorry, ape-business.
Oooook!
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Re: It's called 'spying' (Score:2)
Ape with Park Ridge, IL accent (Score:2)
is so cute lapsing into a fake southern-state accent at a political rally.
Re: Monkey != Primate (Score:2)
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Then why would anyone want to read that article?
Re: Monkey != Primate (Score:2)
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the article uses both "monkey" and "primate" somewhat freely and never makes any assertion about them being the same thing, not even implied. i assume the reader is very much expected to know that they are different things: it is a scientific paper after all, not a troll like the one you are just trying to argue with ...
Re: Monkey != Primate (Score:2)
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good stuff.
Re: Monkey != Primate (Score:3)
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Monkeys are not only primates [wikipedia.org], they are simians. But if really need to "other" these monkeys, they are platyrrhines rather than catarrhines like humans are.
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Hmm,. I think i got confused with the term 'ape'. :)
Sooowyyy!
And today.. (Score:2)
Humans too (Score:4, Funny)
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"Befor entering the village,tell me foreign monkey (Score:2)
how many sexes are there?"
Pronouns (Score:4, Funny)
Hmm... (Score:2)
Does not seem to affect primates in the US.
Oh no! (Score:2)
Unconsciously for me (Score:2)
I've noticed this happening to me all of my life. I tend to take on the accents and manner of speaking of people I'm around. I was raised by an engineer turned farmer in a "college town" where professors mixed with cattle ranchers (who spoke like Texans) and seemed to adapt to whichever I was in conversation with. Also, my father-in-law's thick German accent was very contagious. And as a child, one of my elementary school teachers noted (probably annoyed) that I had a "talent" for mimicking sounds of t