Farmers in England noticed different moos by their cows based on what
herd they came from, and it was then that they decided to investigate.
Sample this from one of the farmers:
I spend a lot of time with my ones and they definitely
moo with a Somerset drawl. I’ve spoken to the other farmers in the West
Country group and they have noticed a similar development in their own
herds. It works the same as with dogs – the closer a farmer’s bond is
with his animals, the easier it is for them to pick up his accent.’
The claims were backed by Professor of Phonetics at the University of
London who noted that regional twangs had been seen in other animals
such as birds.
In small populations such as herds you would encounter
identifiable dialectical variations which are most affected by the
immediate peer group.’
Dr Jeanine Treffers-Daller, reader in linguistics at the University
of the West of England in Bristol, shared similar sentiments:
When we are learning to speak, we adopt a local variety
of language spoken by our parents, so the same could be said about the
variation in the West Country cow moo.’
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