Yes. Animals communicate through sound. Canines howl. Birds chirp. Whales sing.
A
great many of these sounds have been recorded and interpreted within a narrow range of the
animal’s intent. Some songs/sounds are for mating. Some are for warning. Some are for bonding
with their group (pod, pack, etc.). The creatures with the largest vocabularies are Homo
sapiens (that’s us) are our hominid cousins (bonobos and chimps) along with cetaceans (whales
and dolphins).
Psittacines (parrots, macaws) and corvids (ravens, crows) are particularly intelligent,
ranking above even the most intelligent dogs especially in tool building, self-awareness and play
(corvid especially play with gusto). They also have massive vocabularies, far in excess of the
animals we tend to know best (dogs, cats, pigs, etc.).
One of my ALL TIME favorite historic anecdotes is Ancient Rome. After the civil war
between Caesar Augustus and Marc Anthony had concluded, some random man trained a crow
to say, “Hail Caesar! Victor Imperator!” As Caesar’s chariot passed by during the triumph, it
cried out on cue. Caesar, laughing at the act and impressed by the crow, paid the man a small
fortune for the bird. When the man refused to share his winnings with his partner, the partner
went to Caesar to present another crow who cried, “Hail Anthony! Victor Imperator!” It turned
out that the two had hedged their bets and trained a crow for each potential outcome. Finding
perspicacity both amusing and intelligent, Caesar laughed and ordered the man to share his
award with his partner. (Alberto, did I get it right?
It’s worth noting that sound is present in a great many animals from insects (bees and crickets
communicate with buzzing sounds) to crying children begging for food to frogs croaking in
spring time looking for mates.
Key points
Communication is when one animal transmits information to another animal causing some kind
of change in the animal that gets the information.
Communication is usually between animals of a single species, but it can also happen between
two animals of different species.
Animals communicate using signals, which can include visual; auditory, or sound-based;
chemical, involving pheromones; or tactile, touch-based, cues.
Communication behaviors can help animals find mates, establish dominance, defend territory,
coordinate group behavior, and care for young.
https://www.ocregister.com/2021/08/02/scientists-debate-how-and-if-animals-talk-to-us-even-if-we-
understand-them-just-fine/
The term "language" is commonly used in a broad meaning to refer to any type of communication
system, not just human language. In this broader sense, animal sounds can be regarded a sort of
communication and hence a type of "language." However, it is crucial to emphasize that animal
communication systems vary greatly, and not all of them have the intricacy and organization that human
languages do.
Animals communicate with one another using a range of vocalizations, gestures, and signs. These
signals can serve a variety of functions, including mating calls, warning signals, and demonstrations of
dominance. While certain animal communication systems are complex and capable of conveying subtle
information, they frequently lack aspects present in human languages such as syntax, grammar, and
abstract symbolism.
In summation, animal sounds can be viewed as a type of communication; but, the term
"language" may be used more explicitly to refer to the elaborate and structured communication systems
present in human cultures.
