If Monkeys Could Talk...

Short Wave

NPR

Daily News, Nature, Life Sciences, Astronomy, Science, News

4.7 • 6K Ratings

🗓️ 1 July 2022

⏱️ 14 minutes

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Summary

... Could a monkey host this podcast?

Aaron Scott and Resident Neuroscience Nerd Jon Hamilton discuss the vocal capabilities of our primate relatives. From syllables and consonants to rhythm and pitch, certain monkeys and apes have more of the tools needed for speech than was once thought. Now scientists are looking to them for insights into the origins of human speech.

What animal should we study next? Email the show at [email protected].

Transcript

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0:00.0	You're listening to Shortwave from NPR.
0:04.6	Hello, Shortwave.
0:06.3	Aaron Scott here.
0:07.5	Today we're going to get a little meadow.
0:09.9	We are going to talk about talking human speech that is with NPR science correspondent
0:16.8	John Hamilton.
0:17.8	Hey, Aaron.
0:18.8	So, I've got a question for you.
0:20.7	Okay.
0:21.7	Have you ever wondered what it would sound like if this podcast were hosted by a monkey?
0:26.5	I mean, our fact checker would point out that it is hosted by a primate, but I cannot
0:33.6	say that that particular question is cross my mind.
0:36.6	No.
0:37.6	Well, fortunately for you, I have.
0:38.6	Fortunately.
0:39.6	And I'm pretty sure it would sound something like this.
0:47.7	That is like a kindergarten classroom.
0:50.4	And I mean, I got to say they've got energy.
0:53.2	What sort of monkey is that we're listening to?
0:55.2	I know you picture a bunch of kids banging on the table, right?
0:58.4	But in fact, that is a Marmoset.
1:01.1	In the monkey world, they are considered vocal prodigies, masters of simian electrocution,
	...

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