On "talking" with cats. I like it. My wife is frequently amazed that the two cats "talk" with me, and not her very often. It only makes sense, I tell her. I talk to them a lot. They respond in kind. But I'm under no delusions that I am communicating with my cats, except in a very primal way.
I abhor anthropomorphizing when it comes to cats. I prefer them just the way they are. In fact, I like them more than most people, with at least one major exception.
Cats respond to aural stimulation. I "talk" to them in the only method I have. But I'm sure just making any sort of sounds to them would encourage them to respond. Even gibberish. What fascinates me is that they save their voices for us. They don't "talk" amongst themselves.