Global Heart, Inc.
a non-profit organization


NEW! Listen To Dolphins

Dolphin Code CD
Dolphin Code CD Icon
Music written by
the dolphins
themselves!
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The SpeakDolphin.com Project is
spearheaded by Global Heart, Inc.,
a 501(c)3 non-profit organization
based in Miami, Florida,
founded by Donna & Jack Kassewitz.

Our work has appeared on:
Research Projects > Dolphin Language Analysis

Dolphin Language Analysis


Our state-of-the-art digital recording capabilities allows us to capture the complete audio spectrum of dolphin vocalization and echolocation. Therefore we are scientifically assessing and analyzing dolphin vocalization and echolocation in ways that were impossible only a few years ago. Within these recordings we have discovered an astounding pattern of melodic modes which are unique to each dolphin and are equivalent to musical notes and chords. These dolphin "songs" are beautiful, yet, so complex that the human ear cannot decipher them without the aid of technology. To help the human ear make sense of these complex dolphin sounds, we have musicians play these musical patterns or "dolphin songs", which are available on our Dolphin Code CD.

We are also in the process of creating an innovative system of written notation for transcribing the unusual qualities inherent in the inh2idual notes produced by dolphins.

Human definitions of language require speech (the signals we use), syntax (the structure we use), and semantics (the signals we use). Researchers must consider the possibility that dolphins may possess a language of tones, inflections, and timing found in languages like Chinese and the whistling language of the Silbo Gomera of the Canary Islands. We believe the discoveries that we have made point to the possibility of a robust language that developed on a different, but tangential, evolutionary path. It is quite possible that the human definition of "language" will have to broaden in order to encompass the dolphins' use of language.