I wouldn't conclude evolution.

Since I can't understand Korean I can't even comment on how accurate the elephant can 'talk', or if it just mimics the sounds it most often hears. Even if I could speak Korean I wouldn't be able to ascertain that.

I will say that this is cool, though. Animals that mimic human language are funny. There's all sorts of cases that pop up about them throughout history.

Now when an animal can start really speaking, we can talk evolution, but before we do that we should consider genetic modification.

Originally posted by alonzo730
Even the way he's standing when he vocalizes, it's like he's saying "Look at me."

Sharp observation. His body language does change when he makes those sounds and seems pretty consistent. Interesting...

All animals have intelligence and communicate with each other very effectively. The problem between them and us is that we have become so dependent on "words" that we have largely lost our ability to understand the gestures, movements and other non-verbal expressions that the animal kingdom uses.

I like the example of the communication device that translated human speech into sounds that made sense to dolphins and visa versa. If that device was adapted for use with other animals, I think we would be in store for some serious "learnin' thanks to our animal companions and friends.

Jesus! 24 flags!
This Elephant rocks my socks!

Well isn't it said that elephants have a great memory? Or is that just a myth? I thought I heard that a long time ago. Maybe elephants are more smarter than we give them credit for.

Originally posted by badw0lf
Im glad he's the only living elephant that can talk, I mean, Id be freaked if dead elephants could talk.

And the bit about imitating other elephants?? rofl.

Seriously though, keeping intelligent animals captive, is it a sign of desperation or desire that they learn how to sound like their captors?

edit on 16/10/2010 by badw0lf because: goram fingers.... work you fools!!

Like the person who wakes up mid surgery but is still paralyzed. Learning to speak to scream.

Dude!
This video is so amazing! Thank you for sharing the video and everyone else for sharing their video.

All of these videos are interesting and provide some good food for thought. While I do not speak or understand Korean, I find it intriguing that an elephant could alter its pitch enough to mimic Korean words with any sort of accuracy. Since I am not an animal behaviorist, I cannot comment on the reasons why or how this elephant is able to achieve this form of communication.

The video of the husky is very interesting as well. I would liken the vocalizations of the dog to that of a wolf. Each wolf pack has its own unique vocalization for hunting, socializing, etc. I think this dog is merely showing a pack behavior where it tries to mimic the vocalizations of its "human pack". Just to prove my hypothesis, I just sat with my beagle and made different types of vocalizations. I would make a whining or whimpering sound, and she would immediately react by licking my face to try to "comfort" me. I would growl a playful growl, like when we're playing ball, and she would make the same one back at me, then retrieve her ball. While I don't entirely believe that the dog in the video knows what it is saying, I believe that it does know that it is trying to please its "human pack."

The elephant video in which it paints a self-portrait is very telling indeed. If there was no learned behavior involved, it would suggest to me a sense of self-awareness. Of course, who would think to give an elephant a paint brush and canvas in the first place? There may be some sense of training involved, but I don't think it goes so far as to teach it how to paint a picture of itself. I think that came all on its own.

I have always been interested in dolphins and whales, their songs, and their ways of communication. I truly believe that at least some species of dolphins and whales are completely sentient in a sense that they have self-awareness, have beliefs, customs, etc. Just studying their behavior and having the privilege of swimming when them several times in "dolphin encounters" I am convinced that they are on a "human level" of intelligence. If we could only break through the language and communication barrier, who knows what we could find out. They would become not only a protected species, but would be granted rights as a sentient species.

Very interesting things to think about. Thanks all for the interesting videos.


Peace be with you.

-truthseeker

or this bad boy



batyr, the talking elephant, cause of death: drug overdose, probalby after completing his memoir: me batyr, drink, good, hungry, nap.......[sigh] another troubled genius.