According to a group of scientists, there could be a possibility of making these animals able to produce sounds similar to human language.
Researchers from the BARKS laboratory at Eötvös Loránd University analyze whether there is a biological basis that allows Dogs produce sounds similar to human language. The study, published in Biologia Futura, explores from anatomical, cognitive and evolutionary perspectives whether dogs could, in theory, communicate in a way closer to ours.
The advance of the Artificial intelligence and tools to decipher animal languages revived the debate about interspecies communication. While some projects focus on whales or primates, this team asked what happens to dogs, our closest companions. The question does not aim to teach them to say “hello”but to understand if your physiology and cognition They allow, even in a rudimentary way, a more complex communication than the current one.
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What scientists say about the possibility of dogs talking
The researchers highlight that dogs already demonstrate remarkable communication skills. For example, many recognize specific words such as their name, “walk” or “food” and associate them with specific actions. Previous studies even reveal that they can differentiate languagesidentify voice tones and recognize people only by their voice.
From an anatomical point of view, larynx allows them to produce a wide frequency rangesuggesting that, in theory, they could generate sounds closer to human speech.
However, the main obstacle is not physical, but evolutionary. Human language emerged as a tool for cooperation and social coordinationsomething dogs don’t need. Their communication, based on gestures, looks and instinctive sounds, is already effective enough to interact with humans and each other.
Forcing a verbal adaptation would not only be unnecessary, but could lead to emotional imbalances or even an effect of “uncanny valley” (that disturbing feeling when faced with something that imitates the human without being completely human).
The study also warns about ethical dilemmas: Changing your natural communication could alter your well-being. As explained by Dr. Rita Lenkeithe goal is not to create unrealistic expectations, but delimit what is possible, what is exaggerated and what still needs to be explored. The research opens doors to better understand the origin of human language, using dogs as a comparative model.
Furthermore, their findings could be applied in fields such as etorobotics (interaction between animals and machines), helping to design more efficient social robots.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
