Hints of language in marmoset monkeys

[elte]

Looking to pinpoint the origin of human speech, German researchers at Tübingen University have identified the smallest units comprising the vocalization of marmoset monkeys. Like human speech, the monkey’s vocalization is made up of individual syllables of fixed length from short  ‘tsiks’ and ‘ekks’ to quiet ‘phees’.

https://www.zmescience.com/science/monke...-242787578

[Zinjanthropos]

Looking to pinpoint the origin of human speech, German researchers at Tübingen University have identified the smallest units comprising the vocalization of marmoset monkeys. Like human speech, the monkey’s vocalization is made up of individual syllables of fixed length from short  ‘tsiks’ and ‘ekks’ to quiet ‘phees’.

'Phees ekks' looks familiar. Wonder if 'physics' was humanity's first utterance. Or maybe it was 'exits' as in 'ekks tsiks'

[Syne]

"ekks tsiks" = exist

To be or not to be.

[stryder]

I wouldn't be surprised if the first "language" wasn't spoken at all but was actually conveyed by pulling faces at each other, over time making sounds while pulling faces would then lead to an audible language. It would explain a lot about why we have so many facial muscles and different observable moods, and might even imply why some of the more pictorial recorded languages depicted faces.

[Zinjanthropos]

What if the monkeys are studying the German researchers, maybe even humans in general, perhaps mimicking some sounds made by us?

[elte]

Humans might be very interesting to them, relatively capable and sophisticated. That could increase their motivation to emulate them.  Monkeys in captivity can learn to communicate with sign language which would support a notion that they could also communicate effectively with facial expression combined with vocalization, awareness of self being involved in that too.  It's easier to understand others' existence and communication because of self-awareness.