Cows too have regional accents

[Rambuchan]

Where are moo from?
9.43, Wed Aug 23 2006

Experts have backed a claim by Somerset dairy farmers that cows moo with a regional accent.

The phenomenon was noticed by members of the West Country Farmhouse Cheesemakers group, who put it down to the close bond between farmer and cow.

The group also noted similar accent shifts in Midlands, Essex, Norfolk and Lancashire moos.

John Wells, Professor of Phonetics at the University of London, said: "This phenomena is well attested in birds. You find distinct chirping accents in the same species around the country.

"This could also be true of cows. In small populations such as herds you would encounter identifiable dialectical variations which are most affected by the immediate peer group."

Farmer Lloyd Green of Glastonbury said: "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."

He continued: "I think 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."

Dr Jeanine Treffers-Daller, reader in linguistics at the University of the West of England in Bristol, said the accent may be learned from relatives.

She said: "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."

http://www.itv.com/news/index_f39b4471450a1ff8f7b1ab886a0ef4e4.html

Now, I'm tempted to milk this story for all the cheesy gags I can. But I don't want to churn the butter too much, or over graze the field of discussion just yet. So I thought I'd just put this story out to pasture and see if you guys think it's a load of bull or not. Do you?

Regarding the last line of the report, what variations in the cow moo would there be in your parts?

 

[Rossiya]

it would be interesting if it was true. it shows that we are very similar to our mooing cousins. the next time you call your wife a cow, we should all think about what we are saying.

 

[Rambuchan]

it would be interesting if it was true.

Well it seems to be true of birds. It seems that, not only do birds of a feather flock together, they cheep-cheep together too. What's in question here is whether cows do it too.

 

[Rik Meleet]

Orca's have regional accents.

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

Now, I'm tempted to milk this story for all the cheesy gags I can. But I don't want to churn the butter too much, or over graze the field of discussion just yet. So I thought I'd just put this story out to pasture and see if you guys think it's a load of bull or not. Do you?

Regarding the last line of the report, what variations in the cow moo would there be in your parts?

Indeed Ram, I'd have a bit of a beef with someone if they tried to start a punning match.

Next time I see a cow I'll try and initiate a conversation with it, then travel to some other place and see if there's any difference. And is this really what our professors are finding important?

 

[Truronian]

Down here the cows have such a strange accent that at times its difficult to make out what their saying.

 

[bathsheba666]

My first reaction was 'pull the udder one', but I see you've provided a link.

I guess in the case of BSE, you get a Birmingham whine?

 

[Rambuchan]

I guess in the case of BSE, you get a Birmingham whine?

That's what all the Irish horses are saying.

Apparently up in Scotland, and we'd need Kan to confirm on this I guess, the cows can be found saying: "Och Aye The Moo".

Down here the cows have such a strange accent that at times its difficult to make out what their saying.

I know what you're saying Tru. And it's not just the cows. Round these parts, everytime I get stopped by the pigs, I can barely understand a word of what they say.

 

[Phlegmak]

This part annoys me. The animals pick up the owner's accent? Come on. That's the way it's worded and that's just plain stupid.

"I think 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."

 

[soul_warrior]

someone should study the bleetin' of sheep aswell.
some are said to be very close to thier farmers. too close in some cases...

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

This part annoys me. The animals pick up the owner's accent? Come on. That's the way it's worded and that's just plain stupid.

Indeed, we perhaps the owner picks up the animal's accent?

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Although I find it highly unlikely that animals pick up their owner's accent, and thus have accents analogous to human regional accents, I can beleive that there are "accents" among herds or flocks or what have you.

 

[.Shane.]

The real accent should show up in the milk.

 

[JoeM]

Cut out the Farmer's delusional ravings and stick to the research would be my advice to ITV;

I wonder if this will impact transporting cows around the world - presumably there would be a calming effect if new members of a herd have the same dialect.

 

[JoeM]

This part annoys me. The animals pick up the owner's accent? Come on. That's the way it's worded and that's just plain stupid.

That's just so funny I'm in tears! The poor deluded Farmer. You can just see him hearing the news from the researchers, his eyes glazing over, then he finds a shard of understanding amongst the high-brow mumblings, and stabs himself in the brain stem with it!

 

[Urederra]

what variations in the cow moo would there be in your parts?

Nobody moos in my parts.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Yeah, I would say that if your parts are full of cow moos, then it is time to go to the doctor . . .

 

[BirraImperial]

Some Dutch friends of mine say that their cows actually "boo" instead of moo.
I know, crazy. but they swear by it.

 

[boarder]

Gotta say ive never noticed cows moo'ing differently in different parts of the country, but its something ive never listened out for.
Next time I shall be listening though.

 

[Dann]

Cows' mooing the subject of research? Is nothing sacred anymore?

Regarding the last line of the report, what variations in the cow moo would there be in your parts?

Here they say "Mmmm".