MSc thesis project in animal communication
Across human languages, there are several general principles in temporal patterning: most frequent words are shorter (Zipf’s law of brevity), larger constructs tend to be composed of shorter elements
(Menzerath–Altmann law), and the beginning and end of a construct are signalled by initial and final prolongations.
To understand larger patterns in animal communication, we need to ask whether the same might be true in animals other than ourselves. To date, it has been found that the vocal sequences of non-human primates and the African penguin conform to the linguistic laws of brevity. Budgerigar vocalisations seem even more “language-like”. How about songbirds?
This project utilises an existing large library of male yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) songs. You will have the opportunity to examine this dataset in search of universal (?) temporal patterns underlying animal vocal communication.
This is a “safe” project, as the data have already been collected and largely processed. This way, the workload should be achievable even with limited time (e.g. if you are planning to submit by summer ‘25). While the project is data-based, there may be an opportunity for additional fieldwork, depending on the student’s interest and current work schedules at Dr Petrusková’s lab.
This project does not offer financial compensation, and we encourage you to apply for an additional scholarship to help cover life costs (e.g. Erasmus+ internship, CEEPUS freemover, Visegrad Fund or other, depending on your nationality/opportunities).
The thesis will be supervised by Dr Tereza Petrusková (Charles University, Prague), and Dr Lara S Burchardt or Dr Anna N Osiecka (Humboldt University, Berlin). We do our best to provide a safe and welcoming environment for development.
To discuss this possibility, please send a CV and a brief expression of interest (including why you are interested in the project, what you think you might learn from it, and what you can bring to the team) to Anna at ann.osiecka@gmail.com
We look forward to hearing from you!
