Parents may pleasantly puzzle over the “goos” and “gahs” that their babies make, but now researchers say that baby talk shares patterns with the songs of humpback whales. What can that teach us about how children learn to talk, and how language evolves more broadly?

Parents may pleasantly puzzle over the “goos” and “gahs” that their babies make, but now researchers say that baby talk shares patterns with the songs of humpback whales. What can that teach us about how children learn to talk, and how language evolves more broadly?

Turns out whale song and baby talk have something in common

Three stories to expand your worldview, delivered daily. Matt Galloway cuts through a sea of choice to bring you stories that transcend the news cycle. Conversations with big thinkers, household names, and people living the news. An antidote to algorithms that cater to what you already know — and a meeting place for diverse perspectives. In its 20 years, the Current has become a go-to place for stories that shape and entertain us. Released daily, Monday to Friday. The Current is produced in Toronto, Ontario, Canada — and has recently recorded live shows about the Canadian election in Surrey and Burnaby BC. And shows to come in Oshawa and the 905, Red Deer, Alberta, Quebec City and Halifax.

News

Three stories to expand your worldview, delivered daily. Matt Galloway cuts through a sea of choice to bring you stories that transcend the news cycle. Conversations with big thinkers, household names, and people living the news. An antidote to algorithms that cater to what you already know — and a meeting place for diverse perspectives. In its 20 years, the Current has become a go-to place for stories that shape and entertain us. Released daily, Monday to Friday. The Current is produced in Toronto, Ontario, Canada — and has recently recorded live shows about the Canadian election in Surrey and Burnaby BC. And shows to come in Oshawa and the 905, Red Deer, Alberta, Quebec City and Halifax.

Share Turns out whale song and baby talk have something in common

Sign up to save your podcasts

Turns out whale song and baby talk have something in common

Turns out whale song and baby talk have something in common

More shows like The Current

As It Happens

White Coat, Black Art

Ideas

The World This Hour

Your World Tonight

World Report

The Sunday Magazine

The House

Cross Country Checkup

At Issue

The Big Story

Front Burner

Cost of Living

The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge

The Dose

The Decibel

The Making of Musk: Understood

The Pornhub Empire