Zoolingualism

The power to talk to animal life forms and understand their reactions. A variation of Omnilingualism.

Also Called

Animal Communication
Animal Whispering
Faunal Communication

Capabilities

The user is able to understand the speech or emotions of animal life forms. This ability is quite uncommon and multifaceted. Some variations are magic-based while others are natural talents or mental powers, similar to Telepathy (but limited to animals). The use of Zoolingualism is sometimes imagined as imitating animal sounds, like the barking of a dog. Zoolinguists are normally shown using their abilities in their native language, in an animal-language (like Parseltongue or Mangani), or even mentally without any spoken words.

Interestingly, nearly all variations of Zoolingualism have an innate origin. Most of the known users possess this ability by their birth, like Dr. Dolittle, who had his first conscious experience with zoolingualism in his early childhood. However, it seems to be possible to learn this ability. Therefor, it's necessary to grow up with the need of it, like Tarzan (Tarzan of the Apes), who was raised by Manganis/Gorillas and didn't have contact with other humans until later in life.

Some users are able to understand animals in every imaginable way, which results in enormous knowledge and foreseeability of their actions.

Variations

Associations

Origins

Magic-based

Some cases of magical Zoolingualism are known. A well-known example might be Parseltongue, the magical language of Snakes (Harry Potter). The title character himself was able to speak this mysterious language, without even recognizing it. Parselmouths (users of Parseltongue) are able to understand the thoughts of snakes and even give them commands.

Another form of magical Zoolinguism is the telepathic connection of a Dragon Rider to his Dragon (Eragon). Dragons, shown as intelligent and civilized creatures, may stand on the same level as humans or even higher, but they aren't able to talk.

Both examples are limited to a specified type of nonhuman creatures.

Natural ability

Zoolingualism as a natural ability is quite uncommon, especially amongst humans. That would assume a physiological component, like a body part or an organ. However, the humanoid alien race of the moon Pandora, the Na'vi, are able to establish a special physical connection with their fauna, called Tsaheylu (Na'vi for "The bond"). Tsaheylu allows the Na'vi, to link their mind with the brain of animals to wield influence in their actions, without taking their free will.

Mental/Psychic

Even in the Pokémon-franchise, a world without any normal animals, Zoolingualism is present. The young Pokémon-Trainer and "Frontier Brain" Anabel showed the ability to sense the feelings of any Pokémon and communicate with them without even using words, Telepathy. That gives her a a great advantage in a Pokémon-Battle, because the enemy is always unaware of her next move. Similiar to her, but less apparent, is the gym leader Sabrina, who shared a psychic connection with her Pokémon Kadabra. Both, Anabel and Sabrina, are psychic-type trainers.

Heredity

Some variations of Zoolingualism seem to be hereditable. It's known, that Dr. Dolittles daughter Maya Dolittle inherited the ability from her father. The parselmouth Tom Riddle (alias Lord Voldemort) also inherited this ability, as his mother and his whole maternal kinship, back to his ancestor Salazar Slytherin, consisted of a long line of Parselmouths.

Known Users

Dr. John Dolittle (Dr. Dolittle)
Maya Dolittle (Dr. Dolittle)
Snow White (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
Jefferson Reed (The Meteor Man)
Parselmouths (Harry Potter); can talk only to snakes
Tarzan (Tarzan of the Apes/Disney's Tarzan)
Luke Triton (Professor Layton)
Katrin (Katrin und die Welt der Tiere)
Cole Evans/Red Wildforce Ranger (Power Rangers Wild Force)
Maya (Power Rangers Lost Galaxy)
Anabel (Pokémon)
N (Pokémon)
Seto Kousuke (Kagerou Project)
Layla's Mother (Sky High)
Yellow (Pokemon Special Manga)
Number Four (I am Number Four)
Na'vi (Avatar)
Roxy (Winx Club)
Widget (Widget The World Watcher)
Elizabeth "Eliza" Thornberry (The Wild Thornberrys)
Tavros (Homestuck)
The Beastmaster (Beastmaster)
Jack Stevens (Ripley's Bureau of Investigation), except for snakes since they are aggressive towards him.
Spawn (Image Comics)
Spider-Man (Marvel Comics)
Lizard (Marvel Comics)
Percy Jackson (Percy Jackson and the Olympians); only with fish, horses, and horse-kin
Grace (El Goonish Shive)
Guineas (El Goonish Shive)
Hedge (El Goonish Shive)
Vlad (El Goonish Shive)
Faes (Shadow Falls); those gifted with animal communication
- Derek Lakes
- Hannah Brandon
- Dr. Whitman
Chameleons (Shadow Falls); with fae powers
- Kylie Galen; to wolves alike
High-ranked werewolves (Shadow Falls); could talk to wolves
Mew Ichigo (Tokyo Mew Mew); to cats only in the anime
Mew Mint (Tokyo Mew Mew); to fowls only in the anime
Mew Pudding (Tokyo Mew Mew); to monkeys only in the manga
Mew Zakuro (Tokyo Mew Mew) to wolves and dogs in the anime
Billy Raven (Charlie Bone)
Dawn (Total Drama Revenge of the Island)
Bubbles (The Powerpuff Girls); to squirrels only
Moon (Bug Me Not; to insects only)
Guardian Characters (Shugo Chara!)
Users of Tongue of Saiping (Xiaolin Showdown)
Fluttershy (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)
Blythe Baxter (Littlest Pet Shop)
Jane Boolittle (Monster High)
Marvin Forman (Marvin Marvin)
Anne Marie (All Dogs Go to Heaven)
Penny (The Rescuers)
London Tipton (The Suit Life Movie); temporarily, with cetacean and fish
Dogsled Girl (Valkyrie Crusade); to canines only.
Beastmaster (Valkyrie Crusade)
Zuri Ross (JESSIE); to dogs only