Darwin-L Message Log 6:71 (February 1994)

Academic Discussion on the History and Theory of the Historical Sciences

This is one message from the Archives of Darwin-L (1993–1997), a professional discussion group on the history and theory of the historical sciences.

Note: Additional publications on evolution and the historical sciences by the Darwin-L list owner are available on SSRN.

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<6:71>From mahaffy@dordt.edu  Sun Feb 13 14:50:40 1994

Subject: whale sounds and phonemes (fwd)
To: Address Darwin list <Darwin-l@ukanaix.cc.ukans.edu>
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 1994 14:54:00 -0600 (CST)
From: James Mahaffy <mahaffy@dordt.edu>

I posted the message asking about whale language to the marine mammal
list and received this reply.  I work in Carboniferous swamps and North
West Iowa snow, so any response should be to the author not me.

James F. Mahaffy

Forwarded message:
> Date: Mon, 14 Feb 1994 08:04:33 GMT+1200
> Sender:       Marine Mammals Research and Conservation Discussion
>               <MARMAM@uvvm.bitnet>
> From: "David A. Helweg" <PSY_DHELWEG@CCNOV1.AUCKLAND.AC.NZ>
> Organization: University of Auckland
> Subject: whale sounds and phonemes
> To: Multiple recipients of list MARMAM <MARMAM@uvvm.bitnet>
>
> From the point of view of someone interested in cetacean
> acoustics, I would also enjoy the opportunity to read about
> sperm whale "phonemes."
>
> It is interesting, and sometimes useful, to make comparisons
> between animal vocalizations and human language, which at times
> may include borrowing concepts/terminology from other disciplines
> such as linguistics.  This includes identifying sound "parcels"
> as "phonemes," with its implications of recombinatorial potential
> and semanticity.  However, caution is in order in extending the
> analogy between animal vocalizations and language.  A reference
> that gives some insight into the complexity of the issue is:
>
> Roitblat, H.L., Herman, L.M. & Nachtigall, P.E. (1993).  "Language
>    and communication: comparative perspectives."  Hillsdale, NJ:
>    Erlbaum.
>
> kia ora!
> -------------------------
> David A. Helweg
> Department of Psychology//University of Auckland
> Private Bag 92019//Auckland, New Zealand
> FAX (64) (09) 373-7450
> email psy_helweg@ccnov1.aukuni.ac.nz

--
James F. Mahaffy                   e-mail: mahaffy@dordt.edu
Biology Department                 phone: 712 722-6279
Dordt College                      FAX 712 722-1198
Sioux Center, Iowa 51250

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