Phrases used to smooth over tense social situations have meanings beyond the sum of their parts, study suggests

In a groundbreaking study, scientists have discovered that bonobos, our closest living relatives, exhibit a complex form of communication that was previously believed to be exclusive to humans. By analyzing over 700 bonobo vocalizations in the wild, a team from the University of Zurich and Harvard University found that these great apes use a type of syntax known as non-trivial compositionality. This form of communication allows them to combine individual sounds, like grunts, yelps, and hoots, into sophisticated structures with meanings greater than their parts. Non-trivial compositionality is the linguistic trait that enables humans to derive nuanced meanings from phrases that aren't just literal accumulations of their constituent words. For example, the phrase "bad dancer" illustrates non-trivial compositionality by conveying more than just a mere combination of 'bad' and 'dancer'. Such findings imply that the ability to use complex syntax may be an evolutionary trait shared with our primate ancestors, indicating its development at least 7 million years ago or more. The research involved intense fieldwork in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Bonobo Reserve, where researchers noted the contextual circumstances of vocalizations, essentially building a 'semantic map' of bonobo language. Besides showcasing the bonobos' complex communications, the study sets a precedent for understanding and deciphering animal communications across various species. This breakthrough could redefine the understanding of the evolutionary roots of human language. Commentary: The implications of this study are far-reaching, not just for biology and linguistics but for our understanding of evolution itself. Discerning how language capabilities evolved in primates can illuminate the roots of human language, offering insight into one of the most pivotal human abilities—communication. The study underscores the richness of non-human communication systems and reminds us of the importance of conserving these incredible species that help us understand our past.