# Bonobos may combine words in ways previously thought unique to humans

**URL:** <https://discourse.peacefulscience.org/t/bonobos-may-combine-words-in-ways-previously-thought-unique-to-humans/17205>\
**Category:** Conversation\
**Tags:** Science\
**Created:** [April 6, 2025, 2:46am UTC](https://discourse.peacefulscience.org/t/bonobos-may-combine-words-in-ways-previously-thought-unique-to-humans/17205 "2025-04-06T02:46:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Tim](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/discourse.peacefulscience.org/tim/32/9381_2.png) [@Tim](https://discourse.peacefulscience.org/u/Tim)\
**Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 2:46am UTC](https://discourse.peacefulscience.org/t/bonobos-may-combine-words-in-ways-previously-thought-unique-to-humans/17205/1 "2025-04-06T02:46:22Z")

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> **[Bonobos may combine words in ways previously thought unique to humans](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/apr/03/bonobos-combine-words-ways-previously-unique-humans-study)**
>
> Phrases used to smooth over tense social situations have meanings beyond the sum of their parts, study suggests

Underlying article:

[Extensive compositionality in the vocal system of bonobos](https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adv1170)

This would appear to be a further nail in the coffin of human exceptionalism.

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/peacefulscience/original/2X/6/6b7bf72453a5c60b0919b6b89a27dc18bc52382c.png) [@system](https://discourse.peacefulscience.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 2:47am UTC](https://discourse.peacefulscience.org/t/bonobos-may-combine-words-in-ways-previously-thought-unique-to-humans/17205/2 "2025-04-13T02:47:01Z")

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