[ Picture source ]
The recent study found that dogs have the ability to process words and intonation of human speech in similar way as humans - they use the same regions in the brain as humans brain does.
It both matters how you say it and what you say.
Scientists from Hungary's Eötvös Loránd University scanned the dogs' brains in fMRI machine, while each was played the sound of their trainer's voice through headphones. Before the scans were performed 13 dogs had to be trained for few months to be able to lie without move inside an fMRI machine.
Four different types of combinations of words with intonations were used:
- praising words (like "well done!") with high-pitched intonation (praise)
- praising words with a neutral intonation
- neutral words (like "however") with neutral intonation
- neutral words with high-pitched praising intonation.
The researchers found that canines process speech in very similar way to humans. The vocabulary is being processed in their left hemisphere, while intonation is processed in auditory regions in the right hemisphere. It was also discovered that dogs feel rewarded only when specific combination of words and intonation indicate praise.
[ Picture source ]
It is important to note that recognition of the significance of specific words is a completely different subject. To be able to recognize if the word has derogatory or complimentary meaning, other hints are necessary, such as facial expressions and body language.
This study proves that ability for processing the meaning of speech is not just unique in humans. Humans are only unique in their capability of inventing words.
The study was published in peer-reviewed academic journal Science.
[ Picture source ]
Finally, we have got a scientific proof for all doubters :-)
It would be interesting to find out if cats have this capability too. I remember that my cat seemed to understand what I was saying to him. Sometimes I had impression that he even tried to mimic certain words :D
References:
Science Magazine: "Neural mechanisms for lexical processing in dogs"
The Verge: "You can’t trick your dog by being mean in a happy voice"