IIRC, it's more that they over time figure out what sounds and actions get their owner's attention. We respond better, unconsiously or otherwise when they meow at us.

My old cat figured out, before I did, that if she knocks shit off the coffee table I get up and check if her bowl is empty.

Generally wild/feral adult cats are more or less mute outside of anger/mating/territory calls, but domesticated cats keep their kitten vocalizations if we respond to them.

My current cat is very vocal and we responded playfully to his meowing as he grew up.

Edit: Here's a scientific american blog/article about it. I don't think it's something we have confirmation on, just a good hunch.