Sounding Strange(r): Origins, Consequences, and Boundary Conditions of Sociophonetic Discrimination

Abstract

Talking is an immediate and rich form of communication. Through vocal signals we provide information about ourselves and our social background. In six empirical articles, one review article, and a commentary, this special issue gathers an integrated collection of research covering the effects of vocal cues associated with minority membership, in particular, in relation to sexual orientation and migration status. People infer speakers’ nativity to the country and their sexual orientation by integrating vocal and visual cues. This diagnostic use of vocal cues can fuel intergroup conflict in two ways: It triggers discriminatory behaviors against those sounding strange(r) and language stigma triggers social anxiety among strange(r) speakers, resulting in self-stereotyping and social exclusion. The socionormative context plays a major role in containing the consequences of this phenomenon. This special issue prompts future development of social interventions to increase familiarity and normativity of acoustic social signals that deviate from the mainstream.