Communication

Humans have a knack for communicating with other species. With some, like dogs and horses it is fairly easy. With others, like snakes and fish it is more difficult but we are even scratching away at the communication of sea cucumbers. This would be handy when dealing with other species, but would they reciprocate the need to communicate?
What if humans are they younger sibling, tagging along after the more experienced species, pinging their ships with experimental communication.