“Oh it was a woman! had i known i would have reacted otherwise!": Developing digital methods to switch identity-related properties in order to reveal linguistic stereotyping

Abstract

This chapter describes the methodological processes involved in the project Raising Awareness using Virtual Experiencing (RAVE), funded by the Swedish Research council. The aim of the project is to develop experiential pedagogic approaches aimed at raising sociolinguistic language awareness about stereotyping and language. A key feature of the method consists of updated matched-guise techniques, whereby the same recording is digitally manipulated to alter the voice quality of a speaker to sound “male” or “female”, for example. These versions of the recording are then used as input stimuli for a response phase aimed at illustrating how we as listeners react differently to a person, and what is being said, depending on the perceived identity of the speaker. This chapter then illustrates how results are used as a starting point for discussions with respondents (student groups) on issues related to stereotyping and language, with the aim to raise awareness and self-reflection.