History Main / BilingualAnimal

* ''Literature/GarfieldsJudgementDay'': This book reveals that all of the neighborhood animals can speak to humans, but have always chosen not to do to a "rule". They consider breaking the rule to warn their owners about the impending disaster.

[[folder:Comic Books]]
* There's a joke on ''ComicBook/{{Condorito}}'' where Washington (Condorito's pet dog) goes to an office for a job. The employer can't believe that an animal requests a human job, but Washington does ''every'' task made in the office, surprising the employer. Finally, when he sees his CV and asks if he's bilingual, Washington answers with a "meow meow."
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* Discussed in the Literature/CharlieAndLola book ''We Honestly Can Look After Your Dog'', where the four-year-old girls Lola and Lotta claim that Sizzles (the titular dog) can speak English as well as bark; but he's never heard speaking English, so they're probably just spinning yarns.

* Literature/DoctorDolittle's parrot Polynesia is practically an animal {{Omniglot}}, who also taught him all the animal languages.
* ''Literature/GarfieldsJudgementDay'': This book reveals that all of the neighborhood animals can speak human, but have always chosen not to do to a "rule". They consider breaking the rule to warn their owners about the impending disaster.
* In ''Harry's Mad'' by Creator/DickKingSmith, Madison the parrot (who was raised by a professor of linguistics) can speak English fluently, but his native language is Parrot. He teaches another parrot to speak English by the end of book 1.
* In Creator/UrsulaVernon's ''The Raven and the Reindeer'', the human protagonist gains the ability to speak to the titular raven by magic. At the end of the story, she loses this ability, but the raven is still able to talk to her, using her language in its own creaking voice. It reveals that all ravens are intelligent enough to learn human speech, but they seldom see any reason to converse with humans.

[[folder:Puppet Shows]]
* In ''Film/TheGreatMuppetCaper'' Rowlf barks at some guard dogs and says, "It pays to know a second language."
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* ''WesternAnimation/InfinityTrain'' has Atticus, a dog that can speak human language most eloquently. When he is trapped in The Crystal Car alongside Tulip he tries singing a ballad to get the crystal to react and open the door. He becomes disappointed to learn that the crystal doesn't understand howling and laments that it's the language of his people.
* It depends on where you think he falls as far as an "animal," but Snarf[[note]]who is a creature called a "snarf" and also makes that noise frequently in his dialogue[[/note]] from the original ''WesternAnimation/{{ThunderCats|1985}}'' had animal linguistics as a power. It actually came in very handy for a [[DayInTheLimelight tailor-made episode,]] in which the other Thundercats got kidnapped by the villains and Snarf had to use various animals to mount a rescue for them.
* Brian from ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'' is able to speak perfect English, but he can bark and growl as well, usually if he's angry or scared.

[[WMG:[[center:[[AC:This trope is [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1662272721065501600 under discussion]] in the Administrivia/TropeRepairShop.]]]]]]

[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
* ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'': Meowth of Team Rocket can speak to both humans and Pokémon, making him useful for [[MrExposition relaying information]] to the characters and audience.
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[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
* Mostly subverted in ''Film/{{Dolittle}}''. It seems like this trope is in play, as many of the animals have human voice actors; they speak English and can communicate fluently both with each other and with the eponymous doctor. As the film progresses, however, it becomes clear that most of them are actually ''not'' speaking any human language. Instead, the doctor (and eventually, his apprentice) can speak in animal tongues, and the English speech is merely the movie translating for the audience. The lone exception is Polynesia, the parrot, who plays the trope completely straight; Poly ''does'' speak English, and makes a point of explaining that she speaks and understands the language much better than any other parrot.
* The titular character of ''Film/{{Underdog}}'' gains the ability to talk to humans, but he doesn't lose the ability to talk to other dogs.
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* ''WesternAnimation/PuppyDogPals'': A.R.F., a RobotDog created by Bob, can speak human, and understand regular animals when they speak.

[[folder:Real Life]]
* This trope is not TruthInTelevision. While some animals have been taught to communicate with humans, doing so prevented them from learning how to communicate with members of their own species.
** Alex the parrot was taught by Dr. Irene Pepperburg to speak English, but never learned how to communicate with other birds.
** Primates that have been taught how to sign generally have no idea how to communicate with other non-human primates.
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In real life, animals have languages but they obviously don't speak English or any human language.[[note]] The exception is a few African grey parrots, who have been taught to use words meaningfully to a certain extent. Gorillas and chimpanzees have also been taught to communicate using sign language.[[/note]] Nevertheless, fictional animals are often shown as being able to speak to humans. However, there may be times when an animal character, who has previously been established as having the ability to speak to humans, is also shown making the "natural" sound for its species. This trope makes it clear to the audience that the animal really is speaking English and it's not just [[TranslationConvention realistic animal noises being translated into English]]. If not, it's human speech being translated into English.

It's also a good source of comedy. If the animal is hiding its ability to speak a human language from the humans (which they'll often do until they're caught or otherwise forced to stop pretending), expect a gag of it communicating with the human, then backing it up by adding, "I mean [animal sound]." A similar gag is for the animal to be making animal sounds and then [[SuddenlySpeaking suddenly communicate with humans]] to their surprise. The animal will usually then be offended at the humans not realising it could speak their language.

Sometimes, the animal makes its sound in the middle or end of its sentences, kind of like a VerbalTic (if they do this and also have a voice reminiscent of an animal sound, they're either a SpeechImpairedAnimal or have an AnimalSpeciesAccent). Sometimes, the animal mostly talks but involuntarily makes their sound when startled.

Another gag involving the Bilingual Animal is a variation on BabysFirstWords where a baby animal either learns to communicate with humans after exclusively making its sound or learns to make its sound when previously it could only communicate with humans.

If a FunnyAnimal or BeastMan is like this, making the sound could serve as a FurryReminder. See also AnimalTalk, TalkingAnimal, CivilisedAnimal. Very common in cases of PollyWantsAMicrophone because parrots in fiction often squawk at the beginning and/or end of a sentence, CockADoodleDawn where roosters prepare to crow at dawn, and CatConcerto where speaking is seen as communication and meowing is used as singing. Compare SpeaksFluentAnimal for when a ''human'' can speak both human and animal languages.

[[folder:Advertising]]
* ''Advertising/ClaudeTheCat'' mainly talks, but in one PSA, he's heard screaming, "Reoww!" (the same sound effect used in ThatPoorCat) upon accidentally burning himself.
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* As a cat Yo-kai, Jibanyan from ''Anime/YokaiWatch'' can speak human language, but also has the VerbalTic "Nyan", which he adds at the end of his sentences. However, when he was a normal cat before he died, he could only meow.

[[folder:Comic Strips]]
* ''ComicStrip/{{Peanuts}}'' has Snoopy, who only barks out loud, but thinks and ''types'' in human speech.

[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'', Iago the parrot can actually speak instead of just copying people; but he keeps it a secret from all but Jafar, his evil owner, so when other people are present, he squawks and copies people.
* In ''WesternAnimation/Shrek2'', when Donkey becomes a horse, he can still talk, but he can also whinny.
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Up}}'', the dogs wear collars that enable them to talk, but it doesn't stop them from being able to bark.
-->'''Carl Fredricksen:''' And on your way, learn how to bark like a real dog!\\
'''Doug:''' I can bark. '''woof woof''' And here's howling. '''Awoo'''!
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[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
* Mostly subverted in ''Film/{{Dolittle}}''. It seems like this trope is in play, as many of the animals have human voice actors; they speak English and can communicate fluently both with each other and with the eponymous doctor. As the film progresses, however, it becomes clear that most of them are actually ''not'' speaking any human language. Instead, the doctor (and eventually, his apprentice) can speak in animal tongues, and the English speech is merely the movie translating for the audience. The lone exception is Polynesia, the parrot, who plays the trope completely straight; Poly ''does'' speak English, and makes a point of explaining that she speaks and understands the language much better than any other parrot.
* The titular character of ''Film/{{Underdog}}'' gains the ability to talk to humans, but he doesn't lose the ability to talk to other dogs.
[[/folder]]

* In the children's book ''Bark, George'', a talking dog teaches her (also talking) puppy how to bark.

* In ''Literature/DipThePuppy'', Dip and his siblings could always talk, but they must learn to bark. Dip initially ''[[SillyAnimalSound meows]]'' instead. Also, there's a talking horse who whinnies, but used to quack.

* In ''Literature/{{Fred}}'', the cats can talk, but their song lyrics are things like "meowly yowly yowl" (and the kids are surprised they can talk, implying that they usually just meow in front of them). They also shout, "Yeoowwwl!" when [[CatsHateWater someone throws a saucepan of water on them]]. In the AnimatedAdaptation, ''WesternAnimation/FamousFred'', however, the cats sing in English instead.

* ''Literature/ALionInTheMeadow'': The lion mostly speaks, but can be heard roaring at the beginning.

* In the ''Literature/SplatTheCat'' stories, cats can both speak and meow. In ''Splat the Cat Sings Flat'' for instance, when Splat is concerned about his singing voice sounding flat, his teacher suggests he meow instead. Unfortunately, he's forgotten how to meow.

[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* In ''Series/{{Bumble}}'', Bumble the bee talks but often says, "Zzz." This is actually ArtisticLicenseBiology; bees buzzing is not a vocalisation but rather the noise of their wings beating together.
* In ''Series/TheGoShow'', one song is sung from the perspective of a cat, who always meows after singing the chorus.
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* In ''Series/TheMuppets2015'', Miss Piggy usually talks, but in "A Tail of Two Pigs", she accidentally [[{{Angrish}} snorts out of anger]].
* ''Series/SesameStreet'':
** Chip and Dip can both speak and meow.
** One "Elmo's World" skit features a tiger who can talk and once demonstrates his roar. His house cat friend, however, can only meow.
** One cartoon skit is about a talking dog trying to meow but he can only bark. In another, a talking cat tries to bark, but he can only meow.
** The Bear family mainly talks, but they can also growl. One episode is about Baby Bear accepting that his baby sister Curly has a louder growl than him.
* Lindi from ''Series/AllegrasWindow'' is able to speak, but her dialogue is often peppered with the occasional bark or howl. She'll also whimper when she's sad.
* In ''Series/TheChicaShow'', Chica's mom (otherwise known as Mrs. C) mainly talks, but in her ''[[Series/TheSunnySideUpShow Sunny Side Up Show]]'' appearances, she clucks in sentences.
* Patty from ''Series/TheSproutSharingShow'' often snorts when she speaks.

[[folder:Web Original]]
* ''Website/{{Neopets}}'':
** Myncis can both speak and make monkey noises.
** Petpets mainly just make noises, but Desert petpets say, "A curse on you!" sometimes, robot petpets occasionally say, "Need oil", "Hungry, need food" or "Must protect Neopet", Tyrannian petpets know a few phrases in [[SpeakingSimlish Tyrannian]], and if you swear (or [[ScunthorpeProblem accidentally trip the filter]]), all petpets say, "Oi! Don't swear! This site is family-friendly!".
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* In ''WesternAnimation/DanielTigersNeighborhood'', the animals can speak and sometimes put their sounds in the middle of their sentences, especially Katterina Kittycat.

* ''WesternAnimation/MarthaSpeaks'': Martha gains the ability to talk [[PowerUpFood from eating alphabet soup]]. She can still bark while able to talk, but if she tries to talk after going a day without soup, she can only bark.
* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': The ponies mainly speak, but occasionally whinny. For instance, Rainbow Dash whinnies in her sleep in "Sleepless in Ponyville".
* In ''WesternAnimation/PegPlusCat'', the Pig hardly ever speaks-- he mainly either snorts or ''sings''.
* In ''WesternAnimation/PeppaPig'', the animals can both talk and make their sounds. Daddy Pig's loud snort is a RunningGag.
* ''WesternAnimation/PuppyDogPals'': Most animals can speak as well as make their natural sounds. A.R.F., a RobotDog created by Bob, can speak human, and understand regular animals when they speak.

* Cow from ''WesternAnimation/CowAndChicken'' will sometimes moo to punctuate a sentence. Chicken can also crow.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': In [[Recap/TheSimpsonsS8E9ElViajeMisteriosoDeNuestroJomer "El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer (The Mysterious Voyage of Homer)"]], Homer is relating real objects in his surroundings to the objects from his chilli-induced hallucination:
-->'''Homer:''' And that [[SpiritAdvisor talking coyote]] was really just a talking dog.
-->'''Dog:''' Hi, Homer! Find your soulmate!
-->'''Homer:''' Wait a minute. There's no such thing as a talking dog!
-->'''Dog:''' ''(barks)''
-->'''Homer:''' Damn straight!

* In ''Series/TheMuppets'', Miss Piggy usually talks, but in "A Tail of Two Pigs", she accidentally [[{{Angrish}} snorts out of anger]].

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[[caption-width-right:342:*spider chitter*]]

Bilingual Animals can also serve as interpreters between humans and animals and a SillyAnimalSound might be treated as them speaking a "foreign language".

In some cases, the animal can't ''speak'' a human language but knows how to write, like Snoopy in ''ComicStrip/{{Peanuts}}'' or Charlotte in ''Literature/CharlottesWeb''.

If a FunnyAnimal or BeastMan is like this, making the sound could serve as a FurryReminder. See also TalkingAnimal, CivilisedAnimal. Very common in cases of PollyWantsAMicrophone because parrots in fiction often squawk at the beginning and/or end of a sentence, CockADoodleDawn where roosters prepare to crow at dawn, and CatConcerto where speaking is seen as communication and meowing is used as singing. Compare SpeaksFluentAnimal for when a ''human'' can speak both human and animal languages.

* In ''Webcomic/SandraAndWoo'' Woo the raccoon [[spoiler:and his kits]] is uniquely capable of talking to both humans and animals.