Research Interest

Like many other mammals, human beings are complex social animals that are fundamentally built to rely on the group for survival while still possessing the skills to endure alone. Although our metacognition skills may distinguish humans from other groups of mammals, our lack of, among other things, sufficient fur, has left us at a disadvantage in the natural environment and thereby even more dependent on a well-structured and effective social network. Individuals are fundamentally aware of the social hierarchy surrounding them and of their place in it. It is no wonder then, that upon meeting unknown people, we both consciously and subconsciously listen and look for clues displaying rank so that we know how to behave (Trudgill, 2000).

A person’s language often serves as a sort of index, or “scent marker” if you will, of one’s life by displaying geographical and social origin, as well as some of one’s ideas and opinions. It is apparent in the animal kingdom that scent markers, vocalizations, and similar cues incite a response in the listener and help to determine whether a stranger is friend or foe. As territorial animals, what kind of reactions do strange and different accents provoke within us, the listeners? Is our response based on previous contact with a particular group and the stereotypes associated with them? Does the amount of time we’ve spent abroad in general affect our reply? And without the sensitive olfactory organs of other mammals, how accurately can we actually identify these vocal “scent markers”?

Are we able to discriminate between them, and most importantly, do we truly recognize our own? As the world continues to contract, we have the opportunity to interact with more and more people outside of our own flock than ever before. How do we react to them and how will they react to us?