Word of Mouth cover image

Word of Mouth

It's language, Jim, but not as we know it

Jan 25, 2022
27:28

Could aliens 'speak' in chemicals? Could they converse in electricity? Would they be able to hear us? In the absence of a Star Trek-style universal translator, how would you talk to an alien newly arrived on Planet Earth?

Dr Hannah Little is a science communicator, linguist and comedian. She joins Michael Rosen for some fascinating thought experiments on extraterrestrial communication and animal interactions closer to home. What might all this tell us about how human language first appeared, and why does it matter?

Produced by Sarah Goodman for BBC Audio in Bristol.

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