Silbo Gomero

They whistle.

It is a real language called Silbo Gomero.

Wait, they literally just whistle to each other?

Yes.

Three miles? I can't even hear you from the kitchen when the TV is on.

[laughs] It's true.

Silbo Gomero is so special that kids there even learn it in school today so the language doesn't disappear.

That is actually really beautiful.

It takes time to learn, but it allows precise spelling of many sound combinations.

Ready for a whistling wonder? Question eight, on which Spanish island do people use a whistled form of their language to send messages across valleys? [on-hold music] The answer is La Gomera in the Canary Islands, where Silbo Gomero is used.

Whistle tones carry across long distances and steep hills.

It mirrors Spanish syllables so trained listeners can understand full messages.