Language Barrier

An orca whale in an aquarium in France has been taught to squeak sounds that mimic human words and to give them on cue.

"Wikie" doesn't actually speak in the sense of knowing what the sounds she makes means, of course, but the researchers are keen to explore what her learning the sounds might mean about whale communication and how bright our seagoing mammal friends might be.

There are already hints that the lessons have improved Wikie's appreciation of how human beings communicate, as after-hours microphones have picked her up humming this rather appropriate tune.