Segments in animal vocalizations: A novel approach to understanding non- human vocal behavior

Información del proyecto

SEGVOC

Identificador del acuerdo de subvención: 101028815

DOI

10.3030/101028815

Proyecto finalizado el 11 Febrero 2023

Fecha de la firma de la CE 26 Abril 2021

Fecha de inicio 1 Febrero 2022

Fecha de finalización 30 Enero 2026

Financiado con arreglo a

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Coste total

€ 186 167,04

Aportación de la UE

€ 186 167,04

Coordinado por

OESTERREICHISCHE AKADEMIE DER WISSENSCHAFTEN
Austria

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SEGVOC (Segments in animal vocalizations: A novel approach to understanding non- human vocal behavior)

Período documentado: 2022-02-01 hasta 2024-01-31

Resumen del contexto y de los objetivos generales del proyecto

The primary goal of the SEGVOC project is to explore the level of the segment in non-human animals. Because segment research is central to our understanding of human language, any comparative claims about the uniqueness of humans must, at least, consider this unit level in non-humans. Because segments have been largely ignored in animal acoustic communication, the SEGVOC project has great potential for novel research insights and projects. Within this project, the vocalizations of multiple species will be analyzed in order to assess how well segmental models fit animal communication systems. We will also delve deeper into the vocalizations of the budgerigar – a species where we have already fit a segmental model – in order to assess how much explanatory power we have gained and to address questions related to non-human animal phonology (the rules, patterns, production, and perception of segments).

Trabajo realizado desde el comienzo del proyecto hasta el final del período abarcado por el informe y los principales resultados hasta la fecha

The segmentation algorithm has been converted to python code and a python application implementing the code is near completion. The equipmental setup for the habituation-dishabituation experiments is in its final stages of development and the experimental protocol is complete. Two manuscripts have been written, submitted, and accepted for publication, one of which has already been published.

Avances que van más allá del estado de la técnica e impacto potencial esperado (incluida la repercusión socioeconómica y las implicaciones sociales más amplias del proyecto hasta la fecha)

Due to personal reasons, the SEGVOC project will have to be terminated, so any further results are unlikely before the project end date. Though, several sub-projects were in the final stages of development or were close to generating data. As such, the project may still generate results. In particular, one the software is released, other labs should be able to implement our methods on any number of species. In doing so, we expect a great amount of novel research in non-human animal acoustic communication.

a budgerigar looking at the camera with other budgerigars in the background