A Sonic Adaptation
A sensorial study of speech strategies ingrained in immigrants in order to fit in through sound – identity and belonging through pronunciation. It looks into how context may shapeshift the waveforms produced by non-native English speakers. This materialization of subtextual communication aims to make room for empathy by perceiving others’ sonic imprint.
supported by Fonds Darstellende Künste with funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. >> Funded projects 2023
by Sofia Insua
the process
>> contextualization I delved into the topic of Sociolinguistic Integration and learned about the Bilingual Brain, the Berry Model, and Bilingualism in Immigrants. All of which strengthened the knowledge that, at the core of social interaction, language is a form of identity and a way of internalizing a culture through its spoken code. The ability to switch between these so called “codes” comes with the advantage of accessing a certain multiplicity within our personhood. Versatility of expression for our complex emotional capacity.
> An exploration of Sound Art as a relatively new and challenging medium, its origins, its current growth, and some specific references by established + emerging artists.
>> recording bank / waveforms
An analysis of my own experience having English as a second language, but at the same time a primary form of communication as an immigrant in Berlin. I recorded myself having similar conversations, but with different people in various settings. Specific differences in speech patterns were spotted and potential causes for those nuances emerged. This breakdown became the foundation for designing the interviews and exercises I’d use to record 5 other people based in Berlin with ESL.
I chose 10 phrases with emotionally charged words
...and paired them to circumstantial prompts through visuals.
These contextual cues alluded to factors such as age, gender, relationship, power dynamics, cultural background, physical and emotional state, etc; as to have a combination of expressions said in a neutral, personal, casual and professional manner.
each interaction (w/ 5 individuals) consisted of two parts:
interviews + data recollection
1) Categorizing the subjects by learning their origins, native language, and their associations with English (e.g. bicultural vs monocultural identity, simultaneous bilingual vs second language learner, attitude towards studying it and deliberate accent modification), as well as quantifying their use of it in Berlin.
2) Speech exercise
*encouraged them to let their subconscious mold their musculature when taking in the prompt. *discouraging them from actively manipulating the way they sounded, they were shown each phrase thrice for them to read – once just as text (neutral) and twice alongside an image with a particular description (personal, casual, professional).
With these audio files in hand came the task of organizing the information and finding ways of portraying SONIC SUBTEXT shifts through them.
The following are juxtaposed 3D waveform models of the same ENGLISH phrase said twice by each of the interviewees, in order to highlight variation in tone when said in a neutral (behind) vs personal (front) manner.
the phrase
" t h i s i s h o m e "
MEXICO
ORIGIN
BOSNIA
ORIGIN
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Current Age: 37
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Type of Bilingual: Second Language Learner
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Age of Initial English Acquisition: 25
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Bicultural >> Multicultural
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Age of Migration: 32
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Years Living in Berlin: 5
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Usage of English in Berlin on a Scale of 1 - 10
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Current Age: 40
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Type of Bilingual: Second Language Learner
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Age of Initial English Acquisition: 7
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Multicultural (*refugee)
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Age of Migration: 37
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Years Living in Berlin: 4
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Usage of English in Berlin on a Scale of 1 - 10
1 5 10
never always
Lastly came the sketching of a potential layout in a physical space in order to demonstrate the research findings in an interactive way.
In a room with a partial map on the ground as an illustrative guideline:
> There are two waveforms per person of the phrase " THIS IS HOME "
neutral -- textured and behind
personal -- solid and in front
> the person's country of origin determines its relative placement according to the scale of the aforementioned map.
> the person's age of English language acquisition determines the height at which their sonic imprint hangs.
>> reflecTION. assessment
By giving speech patterns a tangible grasp, and while doing so realizing the multiplicity of communication, I gained a newfound sense of self-awareness. Through accent modification, the noun “immigrant” became a clear part of my identity; even if I moved away from my country of origin 7 years ago. Meaningful words said out loud and portrayed through the beauty of WAVEFORMS gave me perspective on what I consider home to be. How it lives in us (mind vs body) as much as we live in it, and how it resonates – thus having the power to encourage empathy.
Over time, I’ve acquired distinctive sensibilities in both sonic (music / composition / sound-design) and audiovisual (acting / performance) media. During this research period I was able to implement subtleties that are specific to my practice. I’ve picked up on intuitive dramaturgy and organizational methods that are compatible with my process. There’s a certain delicate and nostalgic aesthetic trademark I’ve developed when it comes to presenting my ideas and results – sticking to the evocative color palettes of my childhood and integrating topics relevant to my personal experience, such as sense of belonging, migration and the ever-present question of “home”. The project’s driving force became apparent: a clear fascination with HOME as a mobile metaphor and how it resonates w/ others through vibration, not only in a sentimental + metaphysical manner, but on a physical plane as well.