Research shows that Oxfordshire locals are more likely to get a job than an equally qualified person with a Brummy accent. The idea that the way you speak can completely alter your chances in life is startling. Or is it?

Language is one of the main reasons humans are so successful as a species; our ability to communicate with such sophistication sets us apart from our ancient ancestors. At least that is what we thought until recently.

We were pretty sure that Neanderthals communicated with each other using a system of grunts and primitive sounds – something like my brothers when they watch sport – and that these grunts and sounds were the seeds that grew into our modern and diverse language system. But new studies suggest this may be lip service.

Dutch researchers are producing evidence that our language is nearly half a million years old. That’s ten times older than we originally thought and means that Neanderthal man was close to our equal in language and mental ability.

Using high-end archaeological and DNA analysis technology we are finding that our behaviours were much more similar, including some of our favourite foods, as well as our dinner conversation.

I find this very humbling, that we are perhaps not as uniquely clever as we might like to think – and when it comes to communication we could learn a lot from other species.

Take bees, possibly my favourite insect because of their incredible system of communication (not to mention the fact they keep the planet alive). Bees let their mates know where the best nectar is using the Waggle Dance. No that is not a typo, the Waggle Dance is a carefully choreographed set of movements that essentially plot out a detailed map for all the bees to follow. The dance is so complex that for years scientists refused to believe it was a system of communication, figuring that simple bees couldn’t possibly be so clever.

They were wrong and there is now good evidence that the Waggle Dance is only the beginning of bee intellect. They use chemical signals and a seriously impressive sensitivity to colours to let each other know where the booty lies.

Then there are bats with their ultrasound communication safely guiding them through the darkest of nights at top speed. Whales, rather romantically, sing to each other so that they can locate their friends, send warnings and mating calls.

Even rats put their pointy little noses to good use sniffing to let others know who’s boss. We can use our understanding of animal communication to discover new ways to exploit our senses. We already know body language plays a major role in human communication but we rarely intentionally use all our senses to make sure we get our message across.

If we could evolve the nose of a rat, ears of a bat, moves of a bee and vocals of a whale then we would surely get that job, even with a Brummy accent.