Silbo Gomero whistling: It can be heard across five

The wild world of human speech

Chapter 1

Sounds you didn't know humans could make

Chapter 2

Grammar systems that will bend your brain

Chapter 3

Writing systems designed like puzzles

Chapter 4

Languages that change how you see the world

YOUR GOAL

Master of The wild world of human speech

Ch 1 · Sounds you didn't know humans could make

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duolingo Extraordinary Speech Sounds

We're popping with the Taa clicks, sharp and bright, A hundred wild sounds in the desert night.

duolingo A colorful diagram maps the syllable ma across Cantonese and Hmong pitch scales

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The click consonants of the Khoisan languages

duolingo Some Southern African languages use up to dozens of distinct clicking sounds made with the tongue and teeth.

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Fun Fact

Silbo Gomero whistling: It can be heard across five kilometers of mountain valleys.

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Gossip

Which weird language feature would you rather master instantly?

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Quiz

What happens when a speaker produces a 'co-articulated' consonant like 'kp' in Yoruba?

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Gossip

If you had to communicate silently, which would you choose?

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Quiz

Which language spoken in Botswana and Namibia is famous for having over 80 click sounds?

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Quiz

Which language of Southeast Asia is known for using eight distinct vocal tones?

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Quiz

Which island in Spain is famous for the whistled language called Silbo Gomero?

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Quiz

What is the primary purpose of the whistled language Silbo Gomero?

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Quiz

How many distinct tones does the Cantonese language use in Hong Kong?

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Quiz

How many basic click patterns do linguists use to categorize Khoisan click sounds?

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Quiz

In which country is the Igbo language, known for its double-articulated consonants, primarily spoken?

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