According to scientists from the University of Zurich and the NCCR Evolving Language, some aspects of language may not be as unique as previously thought. In a new paper, the team of linguists and biologists demonstrate common marmosets are capable of combining more than two calls, with hierarchical rules – something previously believed to be impossible for animals.
Western gorillas travel in cohesive groups. To stay together, they need to coordinate when and where to go. Despite the silverback being the dominant and most powerful individual in the group, researchers from the University of Neuchatel and of the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle observed that all the individuals seem to participate in the decision-making process.
Humans and dogs have been birds of a feather for millennia. But how can such distant species understand each other? A recent study published in PLOS Biology by researchers from the University of Geneva and the Hearing Institute, reveals that the pair meets halfway between their differences to communicate together.
From September 9th to 12th in Geneva, the yearly “Science of Aphasia” conference gathered over a hundred researchers to talk about aphasia, with a special focus on language evolution.
The Swiss Science Olympiad inspires over 8000 talented teenagers from Switzerland and Liechtenstein with workshops, camps and challenges in biology, chemistry, geography, informatics, linguistics, mathematics, philosophy, physics, robotics and economics. Get involved as a volunteer in the way that suits you, your availability and your passions. Find more details in this article.
This weekend, the researchers of the NCCR Evolving Language presented their research involving the apes of the Basel Zoo to the visitors of the “Basel Zoo Nacht”!
In June 2024, the project started its second phase. Discover all about it with NCCR director Balthasar Bickel in this video.
Is there a reason behind the structure of the words we use? Linguist Chundra Cathcart from the University of Zurich and the NCCR Evolving Language investigated a new hypothesis that could explain the relative fewness of words with identical consonants.
On the 27th of June, the Swiss National Science Fondation (SNSF) rewarded the work of the NCCR Evolving Language’s in the field of Data Science.
In a recent study, researchers discovered that pairs of marmosets take turns feeding and being vigilant. They provide a mathematical framework for studying synchronisation in animals. Their work is featured on the cover of the journal PLOS Computational Biology.