Can Pokémon Teach Us How to Speak?

Stronger Pokémon tend to have longer names—but why?

‍Ever noticed how your average starter Pokémon might have a cute, snappy name like Eevee, but the evolved, battle-hardened ones show up with names like Hydreigon or Dragapult? This isn’t random—it’s linguistic design at play.

What do Pokémon have to do with the origins of human speech? It’s not just cute worldbuilding—it’s psycholinguistics in action.

• Soft consonants like p, m, and l feel friendly: think Jigglypuff, Bulbasaur.
• Sharp sounds like k, z, and r pack a punch: Garchomp, Tyranitar, Buzzwole.
• Even children who can’t read can often “guess” what a Pokémon might be like just from its name. That’s iconicity, not coincidence.

So, what’s the link to human speech?‍

More than you might think!

Behind Pikachu’s cute squeak and Charizard’s fiery roar lies a hidden treasure trove of linguistic clues—clues that researchers are using to explore some of the most fundamental questions about language evolution. It might seem far-fetched, but researchers like Alexander Kilpatrick are leveraging the world of Pokémon to investigate the evolution of human language. This research challenges two prominent theories: the primacy of gestures in language development and the purely arbitrary nature of sound-meaning relationships.

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The next time you encounter a name like "Blastoise," consider this: the way it sounds may echo instincts honed over millions of years, facilitating our survival, growth, and ultimately, the development of human speech or if someone says “Pokémon can’t teach you anything,” show them this article. Who knows—maybe Pikachu really does hold the secret to understanding what makes us human.

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By delving into "Pokémonastics" – the study of sound symbolism within Pokémon names – scientists are uncovering how our survival instincts may have shaped our perception of sound and meaning. This seemingly whimsical research has serious implications, potentially redefining our understanding of human communication by connecting Pokémon battles to the survival strategies of our ancestors.

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Kilpatrick’s study bridges the gap between AI and sound symbolism, offering insights into how certain sounds—and the instincts they evoke—may have influenced the way humans developed language.

Pokémon and the Sound of Meaning

For decades, many linguists believed that the relationship between sounds and meanings in language was arbitrary. However, recent research has identified systematic sound-symbolic patterns across languages, such as the well-known "kiki/bouba effect". In this phenomenon, sharp-sounding words like "kiki" are associated with spiky shapes, while softer sounds like "bouba" align with rounded shapes.

Kilpatrick’s research dives deeper into sound symbolism by analysing Pokémon names in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. Pokémon names often reflect traits such as strength, friendliness, or aggression. For example, plosive sounds like [p] are linked to high friendliness, while [g] suggests lower friendliness. These patterns, which transcend cultural and linguistic boundaries, hint at a shared system of sound symbolism embedded in human cognition.

AI’s Insights into Threat Perception

Kilpatrick’s study leverages machine learning to uncover surprising patterns. For instance, AI models tasked with classifying Pokémon as pre- or post-evolution (where "post-evolution" indicates a stronger character) often misclassify pre-evolution Pokémon as post-evolution. This error aligns with "error management theory" (EMT), which suggests that humans evolved to overestimate potential threats as a survival mechanism.

Sound Symbolism and Strength Perception

The study also found that stronger Pokémon tend to have longer names, reinforcing the "longer-is-stronger" principle in sound symbolism. For example, "Gyarados" inherently feels more powerful than "Magikarp." This correlation was consistent across most languages studied, with the exception of Chinese, where the patterns were less pronounced.

Key Insights and Broader Implications

The study yielded several significant insights:

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• Sound Symbolism and Threat Perception: Pokémon names that evoke strength or intimidation were more likely to be classified as threatening by the AI models, reflecting deeply ingrained survival instincts.
• The "Longer-Is-Stronger" Principle: Stronger Pokémon tend to have longer names, reinforcing a linguistic tendency to associate length with strength (e.g., "Gyarados" versus "Magikarp").
• Cross-Linguistic Consistency: These sound-symbolic patterns were observed across languages, though they were less pronounced in Chinese, suggesting potential cultural influences.

Get to the full insight and summary about “What artificial intelligence might teach us about the origin of human language” by A. Kilpatrick! Listen to the paper here. These findings challenge the long-standing "gesture-first" hypothesis, suggesting that sounds, particularly those associated with survival and social interactions, played a pivotal role in the emergence of early communication systems. Early humans may have utilised specific sounds to convey information about threats, prey, or social dominance, laying the foundation for the development of human language.

Why Does This Matter for Language Evolution?

The implications of these findings extend far beyond the realm of video games. They suggest that sound symbolism – where specific sounds instinctively signal strength, danger, or safety – may have played a crucial role in the evolution of human language. Early humans may have utilised specific sounds to warn others of predators, laying the foundation for the development of communication.

From Pikachu to Charizard, Pokémon remind us that sounds are more than just noise. They carry meaning, emotion, and evolutionary weight. By studying these creatures and their names, we’re unlocking ancient secrets about how language, survival, and sound have been intertwined for millennia.

Furthermore, these findings challenge the "gesture-first" hypothesis, which posits that language originated from hand movements. Instead, they support the notion that sounds, particularly those associated with survival, were equally critical in early communication systems.

A New Lens on Linguistic Origins: AI as a Powerful Tool

Kilpatrick's work underscores the immense potential of AI as a tool for exploring ancient mysteries. By analysing language through machine learning, we can uncover insights that would be difficult to obtain through traditional methods. While the study's focus on Pokémon names may seem unconventional, it serves as a unique and insightful lens to examine broader linguistic phenomena.

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Before we get to the takeaways, here’s a quick question…

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The Takeaway

What started as a whimsical exploration of Pokémon names has transformed into a profound investigation of the origins of human language. The systematic biases observed in AI models reveal an instinctual tendency—present in both humans and algorithms—to prioritise caution in contexts involving potential threats.

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This seemingly whimsical exploration of Pokémon names has evolved into a profound investigation into the evolutionary roots of language. From Pikachu to Charizard, these creatures remind us that sounds are more than just noise – they convey meaning, emotion, and deeply ingrained instincts.

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The Bigger Picture

Kilpatrick’s work highlights the potential of AI as a tool for exploring ancient mysteries. By analysing patterns in language through machine learning, we can uncover insights that would be difficult to observe through traditional methods. While the study’s focus on Pokémon names may seem unconventional, it serves as a unique lens to examine broader linguistic phenomena.

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As AI continues to evolve, its ability to mimic human cognitive processes could unlock even deeper understanding of our linguistic heritage. Kilpatrick’s findings remind us that language is not just a tool for communication—it’s a window into our evolutionary past.

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Thanks for reading!

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