🎶 Human languages and bird songs follow the same universal rule

A strange mathematical rule organizes the words of all human languages. A recent study reveals that birds also seem to follow this logic.

For decades, linguists have observed that the most frequently used words in a language are also the shortest. This principle, known as Zipf's law of abbreviation, enables faster and more efficient communication. Until now, this rule was thought to be unique to humans. However, a recent study published in the journal PLOS Computational Biology reveals that bird songs also follow this trend. The most frequent notes are significantly shorter, while rare sounds stretch out over time.

A universal law of communication

Researchers from the University of Manchester and Chester Zoo analyzed over 600 songs from seven different species. Their innovative method, based on a computational tool called ZLAvian, made it possible to measure the relationship between the frequency and duration of notes. Unlike previous studies, this approach focuses on individuals rather than populations, thus revealing hidden patterns.

The results show that, although each species exhibits variations, an overall trend emerges: the most frequently used sounds are shorter. This observation suggests that Zipf's law is not a human invention, but an optimization principle present in nature. Birds, like humans, seem to minimize the effort required to communicate, favoring brevity for the most important elements.

The study also highlights the methodological challenges encountered. Birds' vocal repertoires are far less varied than those of humans, and individual differences complicate the analysis. However, by combining data from multiple species, scientists were able to identify a significant statistical regularity, confirming the hypothesis of a shared rule.

Biological and cognitive similarities

Birds and humans share brain structures and genes involved in communication learning. This biological proximity could explain why both groups follow similar principles to optimize their exchanges. Zipf's law, by reducing the length of frequent sounds, saves time and energy—an undeniable evolutionary advantage.

Other animals, such as humpback whales or African penguins, also exhibit efficient communication patterns. These discoveries reinforce the idea that efficiency is a universal driver in the evolution of communication systems. Researchers hope that their tool, ZLAvian, will facilitate the study of these phenomena in other species, thereby expanding our understanding of animal languages.

The identification of these common rules opens new perspectives. It invites us to rethink the boundary between human and animal communication and to explore the cognitive mechanisms underlying these similarities. Bird songs, far from being simple melodies, may well reflect a much deeper mathematical and biological logic.

To go further: What is Zipf's law of abbreviation?

Formulated in the 1930s by linguist George Kingsley Zipf, this law observes that the most frequent words in a language are generally the shortest.

This trend is explained by a principle of economy: the most used elements must be easy and quick to produce. George Kingsley Zipf showed that this rule applies to almost all human languages, regardless of their origins or structures. It reflects a natural optimization of language, promoting communication efficiency.

Recent research suggests that this law is not limited to humans. Studies on bird songs, penguin vocalizations, or even whale songs reveal similar patterns. This indicates that Zipf's law may be a universal principle, shaping communication systems far beyond our species.