Comments on: Did Neanderthals speak with a high-pitched voice? http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 21 May 2013 07:23:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: A. . http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1304243 A. . Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1304243 when i saw the frozen screenshot i thought the woman was the neanderthal when i saw the frozen screenshot i thought the woman was the neanderthal

]]> By: Incipient Madness http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1304010 Incipient Madness Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1304010  Interesting hypothesis, but Neanderthal genes are mostly mixed in with people of European rather than African descent. A group related to Neanderthals mixed in with what became Melanesians and Australian Aborigines, but that's even farther from Africa. Tyson would seem to be a one off.  Interesting hypothesis, but Neanderthal genes are mostly mixed in with people of European rather than African descent. A group related to Neanderthals mixed in with what became Melanesians and Australian Aborigines, but that’s even farther from Africa.

Tyson would seem to be a one off.

]]> By: Peter Ellis http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303800 Peter Ellis Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303800 GORDON'S ALIVE?! GORDON’S ALIVE?!

]]> By: grib http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303652 grib Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303652 It's a clip from a video meant for public consumption.  This is a demonstration, although not scientific it's meant to get the point across of how they might sound. Google "Neanderthal" and "larynx" or "speech" and there's quite a bit of information on this. Here's a couple: http://science.slashdot.org/story/08/04/16/2149245/computers-emulate-neanderthal-speech http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13672 *edit* removed redundant CNN link It’s a clip from a video meant for public consumption.  This is a demonstration, although not scientific it’s meant to get the point across of how they might sound.

Google “Neanderthal” and “larynx” or “speech” and there’s quite a bit of information on this.

Here’s a couple:

http://science.slashdot.org/story/08/04/16/2149245/computers-emulate-neanderthal-speech

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13672

*edit* removed redundant CNN link

]]> By: SHeadius http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303482 SHeadius Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303482 I lost plenty of brain cells by watching that video. I didn't have many to spare either! I lost plenty of brain cells by watching that video.

I didn’t have many to spare either!

]]> By: MarcVader http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303381 MarcVader Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303381 So scientists who make you laugh are unscientific? Only the serious types are to be trusted? I don't think I agree with you, at all! So scientists who make you laugh are unscientific? Only the serious types are to be trusted? I don’t think I agree with you, at all!

]]> By: guanto http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303380 guanto Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303380 The fact that they thought they could achieve this with the test subject in question should tell you how valid their assumptions are. Apparently the Neanderthal's physical configuration isn't required for that. The fact that they thought they could achieve this with the test subject in question should tell you how valid their assumptions are. Apparently the Neanderthal’s physical configuration isn’t required for that.

]]> By: Frederik http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303376 Frederik Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303376 Would probably have made more sense to get a sound technician to manipulate a voice recording, rather then have some human who lacks the correct biology to emulate it wich makes it sound hilariouse and unscientific. Would probably have made more sense to get a sound technician to manipulate a voice recording, rather then have some human who lacks the correct biology to emulate it wich makes it sound hilariouse and unscientific.

]]> By: robuluz http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303373 robuluz Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303373 ...and hilarity ensued... …and hilarity ensued…

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303369 Antinous / Moderator Fri, 23 Dec 2011 10:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303369 It looked to me like they tried to replicate the sounds that would come from an animal with that larynx, chest and general upper body structure. It looked to me like they tried to replicate the sounds that would come from an animal with that larynx, chest and general upper body structure.

]]> By: guanto http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303360 guanto Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303360 So, they think Neanderthals were primitive and uncultured and therefore try to show that they sounded primitive and uncultured by means of a couple of wild guesses? No bias there, not at all. Very scientific. So, they think Neanderthals were primitive and uncultured and therefore try to show that they sounded primitive and uncultured by means of a couple of wild guesses? No bias there, not at all. Very scientific.

]]> By: apoxia http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303337 apoxia Fri, 23 Dec 2011 08:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303337 While I find the video hilarious, I much prefer the theory of Michael Corballis that Neanderthals used a form of sign language for communication. While I find the video hilarious, I much prefer the theory of Michael Corballis that Neanderthals used a form of sign language for communication.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303326 Antinous / Moderator Fri, 23 Dec 2011 08:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303326 <blockquote>Is there any mammal which is incapable of vocalizing quietly?</blockquote>Is Gilbert Gottfried a mammal?

Is there any mammal which is incapable of vocalizing quietly?

Is Gilbert Gottfried a mammal?

]]> By: lovelystrangeness http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303322 lovelystrangeness Fri, 23 Dec 2011 08:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303322 http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/neanderthal.html?device=iphone&c=y There. I Googled it for you. Dr. Paabo is one cool dude (and by that I mean inovative and competent scientist). http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/neanderthal.html?device=iphone&c=y

There. I Googled it for you. Dr. Paabo is one cool dude (and by that I mean inovative and competent scientist).

]]> By: estragon_nyc http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303320 estragon_nyc Fri, 23 Dec 2011 07:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303320 That's not the Python reference you want here.  This is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L57-vQvo34E That’s not the Python reference you want here.  This is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L57-vQvo34E

]]> By: eli laztanguren http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303316 eli laztanguren Fri, 23 Dec 2011 07:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303316 The people in the video are real cro-magnons? The people in the video are real cro-magnons?

]]> By: EH http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303314 EH Fri, 23 Dec 2011 07:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303314 I think that was always apparent, but just which time he was out of remained a mystery. I think that was always apparent, but just which time he was out of remained a mystery.

]]> By: technogeekagain http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303298 technogeekagain Fri, 23 Dec 2011 07:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303298 .... Actually, not only is the video six years old, I think the attempt to demonstrate feels about as scientific as something cooked up by a six-year-old. Concatenated speculations and a dubious attempt to implement them add up to going so far out on the limb that it breaks off. ("Loud, very loud, and..." seems highly implausible, for example. Is there any mammal which is incapable of vocalizing quietly?) …. Actually, not only is the video six years old, I think the attempt to demonstrate feels about as scientific as something cooked up by a six-year-old. Concatenated speculations and a dubious attempt to implement them add up to going so far out on the limb that it breaks off.

(“Loud, very loud, and…” seems highly implausible, for example. Is there any mammal which is incapable of vocalizing quietly?)

]]> By: Bodhipaksa http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303247 Bodhipaksa Fri, 23 Dec 2011 04:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303247 If you "wonder" that, why don't you look it up on the internet? There are plenty of articles in popular science journals that will explain this for you.  If you “wonder” that, why don’t you look it up on the internet? There are plenty of articles in popular science journals that will explain this for you. 

]]> By: grib http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303243 grib Fri, 23 Dec 2011 04:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303243 Veera! I need an aspirin, I'm having a heart-attack! Fuck-you-fuck-you-fuck-you!  lol Veera! I need an aspirin, I’m having a heart-attack! Fuck-you-fuck-you-fuck-you!  lol

]]> By: ryuchi http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303235 ryuchi Fri, 23 Dec 2011 04:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303235 They claim that many "non-african" races have Neanderthal genes. I wonder how on earth did they extract "neanderthal genes" from frigging fossils when they can't find enough DNA in stuff that is only a few centuries old? They claim that many “non-african” races have Neanderthal genes. I wonder how on earth did they extract “neanderthal genes” from frigging fossils when they can’t find enough DNA in stuff that is only a few centuries old?

]]> By: grib http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303234 grib Fri, 23 Dec 2011 04:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303234 This theory may not be too far off.  One of the unique things about humans is  that our larynx allows for a range of different sounds.  Talking requires the smooth transition of many phonemes.  You only need look at our cousins.  What sounds does a monkey or an ape make? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larynx *edit* a vid - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i1z37nYMrM&feature=related This theory may not be too far off.  One of the unique things about humans is  that our larynx allows for a range of different sounds.  Talking requires the smooth transition of many phonemes.  You only need look at our cousins.  What sounds does a monkey or an ape make?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larynx

*edit* a vid – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i1z37nYMrM&feature=related

]]> By: robuluz http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303216 robuluz Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303216 More about that in this informative documentary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CfC6XuF-FM More about that in this informative documentary:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CfC6XuF-FM

]]> By: Palomino http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303208 Palomino Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303208 There are 15 known/recognized species of humans, most people are afraid to think otherwise.  Genus: Homo~ Species: 15 Of the 15, I think it's Homo floresiensis,  or "Hobbit" , who may have had high voices. There are 15 known/recognized species of humans, most people are afraid to think otherwise. 

Genus: Homo~
Species: 15

Of the 15, I think it’s Homo floresiensis,  or “Hobbit” , who may have had high voices.

]]> By: millie fink http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303202 millie fink Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303202 I think I remember hearing somewhere that his yell was a combination of three different voices.  I think I remember hearing somewhere that his yell was a combination of three different voices. 

]]> By: Richard Dagenais http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303134 Richard Dagenais Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303134 That video led me to this which was way better http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_7vZcOcAqM That video led me to this which was way better http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_7vZcOcAqM

]]> By: BrianTheAlto http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303130 BrianTheAlto Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303130 This is an interesting coincidence: one of the commonly-reported experiences of folks claiming to see Bigfoot is hearing very resonant, high-pitched shrieks in the vicinity of the encounter. Oooh.. tingles.. This is an interesting coincidence: one of the commonly-reported experiences of folks claiming to see Bigfoot is hearing very resonant, high-pitched shrieks in the vicinity of the encounter. Oooh.. tingles..

]]> By: peterblue11 http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303126 peterblue11 Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303126 so the neanderthals were basically the prehistoric Monty Phyton? so the neanderthals were basically the prehistoric Monty Phyton?

]]> By: robuluz http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303113 robuluz Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303113 If only we could have got one "Oooh Vicar, you are awful!" Just one. If only we could have got one “Oooh Vicar, you are awful!” Just one.

]]> By: dhparlee http://boingboing.net/2011/12/22/did-neanderthals-speak-with-a.html#comment-1303095 dhparlee Thu, 22 Dec 2011 23:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=135619#comment-1303095 "Now Elliot, I will clamp your testes in this vise...can I hear a 1,2,3?" “Now Elliot, I will clamp your testes in this vise…can I hear a 1,2,3?”

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