Overall method for matched-guise experiments
The RAVE project aims to explore and develop innovative methods for raising subjects awareness of their own linguistic stereotyping, biases and prejudices, and to systematically explore ways of testing the efficiency of these methods. The RAVE methodology is based on traditional matched-guise methodology from sociolinguistics and uses digital manipulation techniques for the guise-flipping.
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What is matched-guise methodology? In a matched-guise set-up, the same text (spoken or written) is produced in two or more variants, where the manipulated variable is the perceived identity of the speaker. The method has been used to show how the perceived identity of the speaker influences how we judge the person as well as the text. For example, the same CV may be evaluated very differently depending on whether the name on the CV is of European or Middle Eastern origin.
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Tube 1: Mats Deutschmann talks us through the method
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Figure 1. Schematic outline of the
overall workflow of the matched-guise experiment |
In the matched-guise experiments we work with 'cases'. Each group listens to a manipulated variant of the same text, and then respond to various evaluative statements (on text content and the speaker/s). The class is then reassembled, the design and real purpose of the case is revealed, and students can see for themselves how responses of the groups differ. This subsequently constitutes the starting point for seminar discussions (debriefing). To date, we have primarily been working on gender cases, where we have used audio editing tools to manipulate voice properties in order to morph male voices into female voices and vice versa.
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More information about the various parts of the process is available by clicking on the links below:
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Click here to edit.
Tube 2. An early example of morphing