![]() In other words, animal receivers should recognize whether two temporally linked calls are produced from the same spatial location (see Fig. If an animal has evolved core-Merge, then it should be able to distinguish a two-call sequence produced by a single individual (i.e., combined calls) from two temporally linked calls produced by multiple individuals (i.e., non-combined calls). To do this we propose the following single-sender/multiple-sender paradigm. In this study, we develop a novel paradigm to test whether animals use core-Merge to interpret two-call sequences (i.e., if they recognize two combined call types coming from a single individual as forming a single unit) or whether they respond to any temporally linked calls (i.e., arbitrarily produced or not, coming from one individual or more) in the same way. Due to the lack of studies examining whether animals perceive a two-call sequence as a single unit or not, it remains unknown whether core-Merge is unique to humans or whether it has also evolved in non-human species. However, there is an alternative explanation for these animal examples that does not depend on core-Merge: receivers may perceive a two-call sequence as two individual calls that are arbitrarily produced in close time proximity (i.e., temporally linked), not as a single unit 5, 7, 8, 9. Although once considered a uniquely human capacity, recent field studies suggest intriguing parallels with core-Merge in non-human animals (hereafter animals): several species of birds and mammals combine two call types, each with their own meaning, into larger sequences which evoke specific behavioural responses in receivers that are different than their responses to each component call type 4, 5, 6. The most basic form of Merge is often specifically referred to as “core-Merge” in which two words are combined to form a new unit (e.g., come + talk = ) 2, 3. No matter how the meaning is created, Merge allows senders to combine two linguistic items (e.g., two words or two phrases) into larger sequences and receivers to recognize it as a single unit 1, 2, 3. ![]() It has been hypothesized that the generative power of language is derived from a cognitive capacity called “Merge” 1, 2, 3. Here, we show that Japanese tit receivers exhibit antipredator displays when perceiving two-call sequences broadcast from a single source, but not from two sources, providing evidence for core-Merge in animals. If an animal species has evolved core-Merge, its receivers should treat a two-call sequence produced by a single individual differently from the same two calls produced by two individuals with the same timing. However, whether such examples represent core-Merge remains unclear receivers may perceive a two-call sequence as two individual calls that are arbitrarily produced in close time proximity, not as a single unit. ![]() ![]() Recent field studies suggest intriguing parallels in non-human animals, e.g., Japanese tits ( Parus minor) combine two meaning-bearing calls into a sequence when prompting antipredator displays in other individuals. One of the cognitive capacities underlying language is core-Merge, which allows senders to combine two words into a sequence and receivers to recognize it as a single unit. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |