Dogs can sense when you’re speaking to them and may have a preference for female voices.

Dogs can sense when you're speaking to them and may have a preference for female voices.

The Fascinating Connection Between Mothers, Dogs, and Speech

If you’ve ever caught a glimpse of a mother talking to her infant, you might have noticed that she uses a sing-song style of language. It turns out that this distinctive way of speaking is not only effective with babies but also captures the attention of our furry friends, dogs. According to a recent study conducted by researchers in Hungary, dogs exhibit a greater sensitivity to speech directed specifically at them, particularly when spoken by women.

The study, led by Anna Gergely and Anna Gábor from Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, aimed to investigate how dogs process dog-directed speech, or the speech specifically intended for them. By employing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to analyze the dogs’ brain activity, the researchers sought to uncover the neural mechanisms behind this intriguing phenomenon.

In the experiments, trained family dogs were exposed to recordings of dog-directed, infant-directed, and adult-directed speech from a group of 12 women and 12 men. The results from the fMRI scans revealed that the auditory regions in the dogs’ brains responded more strongly to dog- and infant-directed speech compared to adult-directed speech. This finding suggests that dogs have a distinct sensitivity to speech tailored to their species, similar to human infants’ response to motherese, a style of speech characterized by its simplicity, playfulness, and rhythmic patterns.

The study also found that dogs were particularly attuned to dog-directed speech spoken by women. The researchers believe that this may be due to the fact that women tend to employ exaggerated prosody, or variations in voice pitch, when communicating with their canine companions. These patterns of speech are not typically used in dog-dog communication, indicating that dogs may have developed a neural preference for this type of speech during their domestication process.

Anna Gergely expressed her excitement about the study’s implications, stating, “Studying how dog brains process dog-directed speech is exciting, because it can help us understand how exaggerated prosody contributes to efficient speech processing in a nonhuman species skilled at relying on different speech cues, such as following verbal commands.”

• NYC residents may have experienced less health impact from Canadian...
• Weight-loss surgery may reduce women’s risk of cancer.
• Gender-Affirming Surgeries Tripled in 3 Years

The findings from this study provide fascinating insights into the dynamics of human-dog communication. It highlights the importance of tone and variation in speech when it comes to engaging with our furry companions. Additionally, the study suggests that dogs may possess a unique neural preference for certain vocal cues, potentially influenced by the domestication process.

The implications of this research extend beyond mere curiosity, as it sheds light on how dog-directed speech plays a role in enhancing the bond between humans and their four-legged friends. Similar to the benefits observed in children exposed to motherese, dog-directed speech may aid in the cognitive, social, and language development of dogs.

This study serves as a reminder that our canine companions are not only attuned to our actions but also to the way we speak to them. So, the next time you find yourself engaging in a playful, sing-song conversation with your furry friend, know that you’re not alone in this unique form of communication. Your dog is listening and responding in their own special way.

The study, published in Communications Biology on August 18, 2023, provides us with valuable insights into the fascinating world of human-dog interaction. It offers a glimpse into the complex cognitive and neural processes that underlie our bond with our beloved pets.

For more information on motherese, visit the University of California, San Diego.

SOURCES:

Eötvös Loránd University, news release, Aug. 22, 2023