New study shows sperm whales use vowel-like sounds similar to humans

For the scientists eavesdropping on sperm whales, it’s a race to decode their mysterious clicks and whistles in a very alien environment. A new study discovered a fresh component of their various vocalizations and could hint at potential language structures. Sperm whales exhibit patterns similar to human vowels and diphthongs–a connected pair of vowels in a word, such as the “oi” in coin.  The findings, led by research initiative Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative) and the University of California, Berkeley, are detailed in a study published November 12 in the journal Open Mind. The research also offers more insight into how these marine mammals may deliver meaning in their communication.