Independent Research Project

Independent Research Project

Soc250

4076680 

Wed 3:30 A.Whelan

Micro sociology explores concepts such as ventriloquism, which is defined as “speaking as, to, or about pets” (Tannen, 2004, 399). Micro sociologists such as Deborah Tannen analyse situations that involve ventrioloquism through an ethnomethodological study, which can often reveal language framed in a specific way, as well as power relations and identity positions. Tannen believes that it is a method of communication which offers a buffer for “criticism, deliver praise… and create a family identity that includes the dogs as family members” (2004, 399). This independent research project will use ethnomethodology to look at the concept of ventriloquism in the video titled “2talking dogs argue – subtitled! Mishka & Laika” and discuss what is happening in the exchange, what is the dispute, how the language is framed in a specific way and how it identifies the power relation between the dogs.

The interaction in this video involves two dogs; Mishka the black siberian husky on the sofa, and Laika the brown siberian husky on the floor. The video records the two dogs seemingly having a conversation or an 'argument' as implied by the title of the video, which is signified by the various howls and whines the dogs seem to exchange. It is also significant to note that the owners of the dogs submitted the subtitles, which signifies the element of ventriolquism of speaking about the animal to create a family identity (Tannen, 2004, 399). 

At 0:04 seconds the conversation between the dogs begin as Laika (brown husky) makes a sudden howl and whimper that is accompanied by the subtitle "Hey You You" as seen in the first screen shot. In this small noise from Laika, it becomes evident that Laika is seeking approval from Mishka (black husky), as Laika sits submissively on the floor patiently waiting for attention from Mishka who sits ignorantly on her sofa, inferring Mishka as superior to Laika as the alpha dog in the relationship. 

Screen shot 1.

At 0:06-09 Mishka glances at Laika and then to the camera, and back to Laika as seen in screen shots 2, 3 and 4. The exchange of glances in these few seconds appears to be Mishka's attempt to ask the owner, who is filming, to interrupt the exchange and command Laika to leave Mishka alone to sleep. This identifies another power position between the owner and Mishka, the owner being more powerful than Mishka.

Screen shot 2.

Screen Shot 3.

Screen Shot 4.

0:14 seconds into the video Mishka finally responds to the patient Laika who jumps up with excitement expecting play, however Mishka replies with a whine accompanied with the subtitle "no". The next seven seconds of the video consist of little whines of encouragement from Laika who nudges and licks Mishka's ear begging for a response and some attention. At 0:22 seconds, Laika howls again, accompanied with the subtitle "come on", followed by Mishka's response in a series of howls saying "no, leave me" followed by a howl that sounds like she is trying to say "I'm really tired", which is also supported by the subtitle that accompanies the action.  

Laika's attempts to get Mishka to play are countered by Mishka's response emphasising who is the alpha dog as portrayed at 0:32 in which Mishka's howling submits Laika to lay down on the floor accompanied with the subtitle "Since when did you become my mom?", immediately followed by a long howl in a deeper pitch translated with the subtitle "...I'm the alpha". Laika's position juxtaposed to Mishka's, emphasises that Mishka is indeed the alpha dog between the two. Laika does not dispute this as evident by her head resting on her paws on the floor in an attempt to avoid looking at Mishka.

Immediately after this affirmation of power positions, Laika whines back "I know", followed by Mishka in a seemingly frustrated howl "noooo". Laika mistakingly takes this as a sign of enthusiasm by yelping and standing up in excitement. Mishka responds to this with another frustrated howl "i doooon't want to" as she sits up and turns away from Laika, whom decides it is a perfect opportunity to steal Mishka's pig ear. Unfortunately, Mishka disagrees and snatches her treat away from Laika accompanied by a growl. This is one of the only times either of the dogs growl at each other as it emphasises the identity position of the alpha dog and their territory being invaded by the beta dog, Laika. Laika responds to this aggression by standing very still with her ears pointed straight forward towards Mishka, giving her full attention to the interaction, and her tail pointing straight out as seen in screen shot 5.

Screen Shot 5. 

At 0:52 Laika howls softly at Mishka who responds with a longer howl. The subtitle accompanied with this interaction submits a context to the conversation as the interaction now seems like Laika is upset with Mishka, and Mishka attempts to save face by denying there is a problem with her attitude; Laika: "Your Rude", Mishka "nooo". For the rest of the video Laika attempts to get Mishka to play whilst Mishka continually rejects Laika with a series of howls exclaiming no.

Throughout the entire video Mishka is positioned above Laika even though she is laying down. This presents the power position of the alpha dog towering over the beta dog. The power in the relationship is constantly being referred to in the position of the dogs to each other, along with the subtitles the owners use to translate what they believe the dogs are arguing about. The owners ventriloquize Mishka to be constantly battling with Laika to emphasise that because Mishka is the alpha, Laika must do as she commands as this will re-establish who is in control in the relationship.

Fabricating a conversation between the the dogs is a successful example of ventriloquizing in relation to building a family identity for both the dogs (Tanner, 2004, 399). It is also reflective of how the owners feel towards the pets in relation to establishing a personality based on common canine behaviours such as barking, howling and whimpering. The subtitles are evident of the playful personality the owners have attached to Laika based on her behaviour towards Mishka, as she is obnoxious in her persistence to have attention and encouraging play. Mishka on the other hand, takes on a personality in which she seems to be less energetic, and complaining most of the time. 

David Goode is a micro sociologist who performed an ethnomethodological study on playing with his dog Katie, in an attempt to understand the relationship between a human and dog when interacting, Playing With My Dog Katie (2007). This study explores the idea of applying personalities onto animals, in particular dogs as it this is his focus, and by doing so applying the idea of treating them the same as humans. Goode’s ethnomethodological study on playing with his dog, looks at the idea of an animal having a ‘mind’ and treating animals as ‘persons’ in turn making them a person, "idea that the understanding of animals' 'minds' emerges from interactions with them" (Goode, 2007, 122). He argues the mind is simply a social accomplishment and therefore can be successfully applied to animals as he believes that if "dogs are treated as 'persons' [they] therefore are persons" (Goode, 2007, 125).

Anthropomorphism is another theory that looks at attaching personalities to animals. Sara Kiesler defines anthropomorphism as the "attribution of human qualities to non humans" (2008). Kiesler believes that when humans interact with each other, they "adjust their communications for one another based on their estimation of what their listener knows" (2008). This perception is relevant to the interaction between the two dogs as well as the involvement of the owners in choosing to subtitle the 'argument', as without the subtitles the dogs would be simply howling at each other. The subtitles provide context for the argument as well as present an interaction which projects an idea of articulate dogs who are capable of having a conversation in much the same way as people. This effectively incorporates Kiesler's idea of anthropomorphism and Goode's idea of treating the dogs as person, with the micro sociological concept of ventriloquism.   

Rick Nauert is a an anthropomorphist like Kiesler, who believes that "thinking of a nonhuman entity in human ways renders it worthy of moral care and consideration" (Nauert, 2010). This is particularly relevant to understanding the micro sociology in the video as the subtitles symbolise the owners efforts to contribute a human personality that has feelings, to the two dogs. It is also relevant for other examples of ventriloquizing as evident on the website known as 'dog shaming'. The website has a variety of images of dogs and sometimes other animals, who have evidently interacted with their owner or their owners home in a way that is considered 'naughty'. Image 1 and 2 are examples of ventriloquism and anthropomorphism being used in a humorous way to consider the dogs as needing moral care.

Image 1. 

Image 2.

The two images used from the dog-shaming website explore the ideas of ventriloquism and anthropomorphism in support of the ethnomethodological study of Mishka and Laika. The first image has a dog positioned at the same height as the person taking the camera, presumably the owner, thus no power position is established. The subtitle "I found the box of Q-tips..." applies a personality to the dog as ascribed by its owner in a humorous tone so as to buffer the situation, thus refraining from conflict. The second image also has a humorous tone, but also a tone of shame as the subtitle reads "I chewed up a DVD... it would be fitting to dress me up as the Cowardly Lion" which implies there is a power position that the dog is not the alpha but the owner is. These two images are similar to the interaction in the video of Mishka and Laika as the owners are applying human traits through the use of speech onto the canines, but at the same time revealing the identity positions between the participants.

This independent research project has discussed the interaction in the video as well as discussed how the interaction creates identity positions between the three participants; Mishka, Laika and the owner. The discussion has looked at how ventriloquism is used to frame personalities on to animals and at the same time, establish power positions through the positioning of the two dogs in comparison to each other. The ethnomethodological study of the video has also considered another aspect of ventriloquism in the theory of anthropomorphism, along with supporting data from the dog-shaming website in the images provided. As a result, the project has explored how applying human traits on to animals creates context for an interaction as well as applying personalities and power positions.

Word Count: 1801

Reference:Dog- Shaming [accessed online: 1st November 2012], <http://dog-shaming.com/>

Gardea23, 2011 [accessed online: 1st October 2012], <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S-N7xWWrbo>

Goode, D. 2007, Playing with my dog Katie: an ethnomethodological study of dog-human interaction, Purdue University Press, West Lafayette, Ind.

Kiesler, S. 2008, "Anthropomorphism... attribution of human qualities to non humans", [accessed online: 14th October 2012], <http://anthropomorphism.org/>

Nauert, R. 2010, "Why do we anthropomorphise?", [accessed online: 14th October 2012], <psychcentral.com/news/2010/03/01/why-d-we-anthropomorphize/11766.html>

Tannen, D. 2004, "Talking the dog: Framing pets as interactional resources in family discourse", Research on Language and Social Interaction, vol. 37, no. 4, pp. 399-420.