A
Do Dolphins Have a Language?
We know that dolphins make unique sounds, but is that a language? If you’re interested in it, you are welcome to the activity recommended by Denise Herzing!
About Denise Herzing
Denise Herzing of Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is the organiser and research director of the Wild Dolphin Project, which has a goal of understanding dolphins’ social system, behaviour, and communication. For over thirty years, she has spent each summer watching Atlantic dolphins carefully in the Bahamas.
Activity Guide:
Purpose:
Dolphins use sound to communicate, but they can’t make sounds in the way we humans make. Out of the water dolphins can make different sounds by changing the shape of their blowhole (呼吸孔), which is similar to changing the shape of our own mouths. Underwater, though, they use a totally different system, and they make sounds without letting any air out. You can learn more about how that works here. In this activity we’re going to try to talk like a dolphin.
Materials:
Nothing! But find a partner, maybe a brother or sister or a parent — or if you have one, a dog or cat. After all, this activity is about communication between humans and animals.
How To Do It:
Take a deep breath, hold your nose to keep it shut, and try to communicate with your partner. If your partner is a pet, try saying its name or asking it to “come here”.
When you’re done, think about what made it hard, what solutions you found, and think why dolphins may have developed to communicate in this way.
Then listen to sounds from all kinds of sea animals and compare your dolphin sound to theirs.
21. What can we learn about Denise Herzing?
A. She holds the activity in FAU.
B. She is an expert in dolphins.
C. She wants to find a partner for her research.
D. She fell in love with dolphins when young.
22. What would you have to do for the activity?
A. Have a pet next to you. B. Keep breathing deeply.
C. Talk with your nose closed. D. Compare dolphins with other animals.
23. Where can the text be found?
A. In a diary. B. In a report.
C. In a travel brochure. D. In an activity book
