A study has raised new queries about the evolutionary origins of human language. The study of sounds produced by animals, shows that the vocal sequence of animals is produced by complex statistical processes which are similar to human language. The analysis seems to bridge the gap between human and animals.

The study suggests that evolutionary path from animal language to human language may have a missing link. Dr. Arik Kershenbaum, Lead scientist from the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis in Knoxville, US, said language is the thing that separates humans from Animals, but gaining insight into animals' vocal sequence could play a big role in determining the origin of human language.

There are several animals that can produce various intricate sounds. A hyrax can produce a range of wails, while a mockingbird has the ability to imitate more than hundred birds' sounds. At a fundamental level, the sounds produced by animals were considered to lack the complexity of human language.

So far, all the animals were supposed to involve in Markov process. "Markov" vocalizations are made up of easily predicted sequence. Rigid Markovian rules of "regular" grammar restrict the animal sounds. On the other hand, human language employs "context-free grammars" rules.

To get evidence of Markovian dynamics, researchers studied the vocalization of finches, orang utans, chickadees, bats, killer whales, hyraxes and pilot whales. Scientists discovered Markovian processes' evidence in animal sounds. According to the study, the animal calls were more reliable with statistical models related to human language.

The researchers said, "Our data suggest that non-Markovian vocal sequences may be more common than Markov sequences, which must be taken into account when evaluating alternative hypotheses for the evolution of signaling complexity, and perhaps human language origins".