Researchers have developed what they call a ‘Sperm Whale Phonetic Alphabet’.

New research, based on the extensive analysis of vocalisations from around 60 sperm whales, reveals a sophisticated communication system that could rival the complexity of human language.

The study used data from The Dominica Sperm Whale Project, which holds the largest collection of sperm whale vocal data. By analysing these recordings, researchers discovered that sperm whales use a combination of clicks, known as codas, with varying rhythms and tempos to communicate.

The research shows that these vocalisations are not random but are structured and modulated based on the social context of the whales. 

For instance, the study identified specific patterns like ‘rubato’ - a term borrowed from music that denotes flexible timing - demonstrating how whales fine-tune their vocal delivery in response to their social environment.

One of the most striking findings of the study is the combinatorial nature of sperm whale clicks. 

The researchers found that whales could create a vast repertoire of distinct codas by varying four basic features: rhythm, tempo, ornamentation, and rubato. 

This combinatorial system allows for a level of expressiveness previously unattributed to non-human species.

The study defines ‘ornaments’ as additional clicks that modify a coda and have shown that these are not mere anomalies but intentional modifications used by whales to enhance their communication. 

The experts suggest that each coda can convey layered information, dependent on the acoustic embellishments chosen by the whale.

The team introduced ‘exchange plots’ to visualise how sperm whales' vocalisations interact over time. 

These plots show the timing of each coda relative to other vocalisations in the conversation, providing insights into the turn-taking and overlapping nature of whale communication. 

This method revealed the nuanced ways in which whales respond to and build upon each other's calls, indicating a sophisticated level of dialogue.

Despite these advances, the exact meanings and functional aspects of these vocalisations remain largely undeciphered. 

The authors note that understanding the full semantic capabilities of sperm whale communication will require further in-depth and interactive research, including potential playback experiments in natural settings.

The researcher suggests that sperm whales not only have the ability to communicate complex information but that their language has a structure that allows for a wide range of expressions, possibly about diverse aspects of their lives and environment.

The possibility that these marine giants use a language-like system to relay complex, context-dependent information opens new horizons in the study of animal linguistics.

The full study is accessible here.