Sperm whales use vocal communication patterns that closely resemble elements of human language, according to a new study that highlights the complexity of their social interactions.
Researchers found that the whales’ clicks, known as codas, function in ways similar to human speech.
The analysis shows that sperm whales use a form of “alphabet” and can create vowel-like sounds by varying the length and tone of their clicks, including rising and falling patterns seen in human languages such as Mandarin, Latin, and Slovenian.
The study, published in the Proceedings B journal, said the structure of these vocalisations shows “close parallels” to human phonetics and phonology, suggesting that such communication systems may have evolved independently. It described sperm whale codas as “highly complex” and among the closest known parallels to human language in the animal kingdom.
The findings come from Project CETI, an initiative studying sperm whales off the coast of Dominica to better understand their communication. Advances in artificial intelligence have helped researchers identify patterns that were previously undetectable.
Scientists only confirmed that sperm whales vocalise in the mid-20th century, but new tools are now revealing the depth of their communication. By analysing the clicks without gaps, researchers found structures comparable to how humans alter sounds to form different vowels and meanings.
David Gruber, founder of Project CETI, said the findings show that humans are not the only species with complex communication and social systems. He noted that whales may have been passing down information across generations for millions of years.
Lead researcher Gašper Beguš said the level of complexity observed exceeds that seen in other species he has studied, including parrots and elephants. He added that despite their vastly different environment, sperm whales display social behaviours that mirror human traits, such as cooperative care and group interactions.
Experts say the study marks a step toward potentially understanding whale communication more fully. Project CETI aims to interpret at least 20 distinct whale vocalisations linked to behaviours such as diving and resting within the next five years.
While fully decoding whale language remains a long-term goal, researchers say the progress so far suggests that meaningful understanding, and possibly interaction, may eventually be possible.