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brandinh's review against another edition
3.0
Obviously well-researched and an ambitious endeavor, however, I found it a little too academic for the average reader. Susanne is obviously a cat lover and a warm, loving person. I do appreciate her effort, but as a layperson, I didn’t find anything new here. Readers looking for general insight into cat behavior and communication would be better served by Jackson Galaxy’s Total Cat Mojo.
wispila's review against another edition
3.0
En ollutkaan ihan näin kiinnostunut kissojen kielen fonetiikasta. Kissatarinat on tietty kiinnostavia.
alikazaam's review against another edition
4.0
This book is really fascinating. The idea of analyzing cat speech with phonetics is so interesting. Reading about the difference in tone and inflection, I’m really noticing the correlation with my own cats’ behavior. I also really love that links to the recordings the author used are available so you can really hear the things she discusses. I don’t know that the book has changed my communication with my own kitties, but it has certainly given me food for thought!
xxsquigglesxx's review against another edition
Not a bad book, just not what I was expecting and not in the right mindset for it at this time. DNF at page 40.
charmz's review against another edition
4.0
I was given this book for my birthday as I had just adopted a cat and I wanted to learn to communicate better with him. The book was fun and informative and the author has clearly put time and effort into her research - which you have access to on her website. I really enjoyed this book and I feel that me and my cat will now have a better relationship.
tillyjournals's review against another edition
3.0
Seems like its written more for someone who knows a lot about language and phonetics rather than your average reader
literaryfeline's review against another edition
3.5
Review originally published on my blog, Musings of a Bookish Kitty: https://www.literaryfeline.com/2018/11/bookish-thoughts-secret-language-of.html
The Secret Language of Cats: How to Understand Your Cat For A Better, Happier Relationship
by Susanne Schötz, translated by Peter Kuras
Hanover Press, 2018
Nonfiction; 272 pgs
My love for cats is obvious by just one look at my blog. And so when I was asked if I was interested in reviewing The Secret Language of Cats as part of the TLC tour, it did not take long for me to say yes. I grew up with dogs and was well into adulthood when I took in my first cat. I have had cats in my life for just over sixteen years now. I think I am fairly good at guessing some of what my cats want by the sounds they make and their body language and behavior. I am by no means an expert though.
In Susanne Schötz's novel I found both validation and also new insight into my cats and the various sounds they make. Dr. Schötz has the advantage of being a linguist, with an ear for variations in sound quality, syllables, melodies and prosody. She is a professor at Lund University in Sweden, and has extended her interest in human phonetics to that of cats. Her interest in cat sounds and language grew from her love for cats as well as her love for research. As I read her book and even after, I find myself listening more carefully to the sounds my cats are making, trying to discern some of the detail in the sounds they make. It isn't easy for someone with an untrained ear, but hopefully with time it will get easier.
Cats and humans do not share the same language, and while research has shown cats do have common identifiable sounds, there is variation between cats. While some sounds are universal, others may not be. Cultural, geographic and breed-based differences exist. Just how much cats pick up from their humans and to what degree they adjust their language to be understood by us is still under investigation, but the belief is that this does occur.
I liked that the author went into detail about cat behavior along with the different sounds they may be making. The two go hand in hand and can make the difference in what a cat may want or be trying to convey. The author also gave concrete examples of a variety of situations, many of which are based on her experiences with her own cats.
Dr. Schötz is as methodical in her research as she can be. She understands that studying cat language is a challenge in and of itself. I appreciated her techniques and preference for conducting any research in a cat's natural setting, not to mention putting as little stress on them as possible. No labs or invasive medical procedures were used. Simply the home environment and recording devices--and lots of time. You cannot expect a cat to purr contently in while in a stressful laboratory, after all.
Dr. Schötz hopes that her research will not only give us a better understanding of cat language, but also how that understanding can improve our relationships with cats both on the home front and in such areas as animal therapy, veterinary medicine and animal sanctuaries.
Towards the end of her book, Dr. Schötz talks a little about her current project, Meowsic, which deals most specifically with using cats in animal therapy. While dogs tend to be the go to animals because of their high train-ability and excellent noses, cats have proven to be good companions too.
Although at times a bit dry due to the detailed descriptions and breakdown of the various vocalizations a cat can make, I enjoyed Dr. Schötz's The Secret Language of Cats and found it to to be a fascinating read. Perhaps some of what I have learned in this book will improve my own relationship with my cats.
The Secret Language of Cats: How to Understand Your Cat For A Better, Happier Relationship
by Susanne Schötz, translated by Peter Kuras
Hanover Press, 2018
Nonfiction; 272 pgs
My love for cats is obvious by just one look at my blog. And so when I was asked if I was interested in reviewing The Secret Language of Cats as part of the TLC tour, it did not take long for me to say yes. I grew up with dogs and was well into adulthood when I took in my first cat. I have had cats in my life for just over sixteen years now. I think I am fairly good at guessing some of what my cats want by the sounds they make and their body language and behavior. I am by no means an expert though.
In Susanne Schötz's novel I found both validation and also new insight into my cats and the various sounds they make. Dr. Schötz has the advantage of being a linguist, with an ear for variations in sound quality, syllables, melodies and prosody. She is a professor at Lund University in Sweden, and has extended her interest in human phonetics to that of cats. Her interest in cat sounds and language grew from her love for cats as well as her love for research. As I read her book and even after, I find myself listening more carefully to the sounds my cats are making, trying to discern some of the detail in the sounds they make. It isn't easy for someone with an untrained ear, but hopefully with time it will get easier.
Cats and humans do not share the same language, and while research has shown cats do have common identifiable sounds, there is variation between cats. While some sounds are universal, others may not be. Cultural, geographic and breed-based differences exist. Just how much cats pick up from their humans and to what degree they adjust their language to be understood by us is still under investigation, but the belief is that this does occur.
I liked that the author went into detail about cat behavior along with the different sounds they may be making. The two go hand in hand and can make the difference in what a cat may want or be trying to convey. The author also gave concrete examples of a variety of situations, many of which are based on her experiences with her own cats.
Dr. Schötz is as methodical in her research as she can be. She understands that studying cat language is a challenge in and of itself. I appreciated her techniques and preference for conducting any research in a cat's natural setting, not to mention putting as little stress on them as possible. No labs or invasive medical procedures were used. Simply the home environment and recording devices--and lots of time. You cannot expect a cat to purr contently in while in a stressful laboratory, after all.
Dr. Schötz hopes that her research will not only give us a better understanding of cat language, but also how that understanding can improve our relationships with cats both on the home front and in such areas as animal therapy, veterinary medicine and animal sanctuaries.
Towards the end of her book, Dr. Schötz talks a little about her current project, Meowsic, which deals most specifically with using cats in animal therapy. While dogs tend to be the go to animals because of their high train-ability and excellent noses, cats have proven to be good companions too.
Although at times a bit dry due to the detailed descriptions and breakdown of the various vocalizations a cat can make, I enjoyed Dr. Schötz's The Secret Language of Cats and found it to to be a fascinating read. Perhaps some of what I have learned in this book will improve my own relationship with my cats.
cctblog's review against another edition
3.0
The Secret Language of Cats is way more technical than I was anticipating. As I read, I felt like I was being transported back to my Modern American Grammar class in college, where we had to learn how to use phonemic symbols ... of which I remember virtually none! Fortunately, there's a table in the back of the book that explains things, but it's definitely more technical than the average cat owner would want to delve into.
That said, the book is interesting (at least to someone like me who has that grammar background), especially as a reference book; I definitely did some skipping around as I looked for the pieces I was most interested in. And I did learn some things about my cats, especially about body language and scent marking. (Basically, the reason Skaara needs hugs in the morning is because he needs to "claim" me with his scent again after I've washed it off in the shower.) I also enjoyed the stories about Schötz's cats.
Schötz also offers advice for dealing with problems such as cats fighting, biting, and scratching where they're not supposed to, and I'm going to try to implement some of her suggestions with my own cats.
While the first part of the book (with all the talk of phonetics) might be overwhelming for the average cat owner, the second half is a great resource for someone truly desiring to understand their cat better. 3-1/2 stars.
Disclosure of material connection: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
That said, the book is interesting (at least to someone like me who has that grammar background), especially as a reference book; I definitely did some skipping around as I looked for the pieces I was most interested in. And I did learn some things about my cats, especially about body language and scent marking. (Basically, the reason Skaara needs hugs in the morning is because he needs to "claim" me with his scent again after I've washed it off in the shower.) I also enjoyed the stories about Schötz's cats.
Schötz also offers advice for dealing with problems such as cats fighting, biting, and scratching where they're not supposed to, and I'm going to try to implement some of her suggestions with my own cats.
While the first part of the book (with all the talk of phonetics) might be overwhelming for the average cat owner, the second half is a great resource for someone truly desiring to understand their cat better. 3-1/2 stars.
Disclosure of material connection: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
allyah's review against another edition
3.0
Perhaps unsurprisingly, it's a book that will be enjoyed in direct proportion to how much the reader likes both cats and phonetics.
eininthebird's review against another edition
3.0
Heel interessant fonetisch onderzoek naar katten geluiden. Grappige uitkomsten en ik ben heel benieuwd naar toekomstig onderzoek naar verschil in melodie bij verschillende zaken die een kat wil communiceren. Het boek werd opgegeven moment wel een beetje langdradig. Ik denk dat het wel bondiger geschreven had kunnen worden.
Al om al een interessant boek en een aanrader voor katten liefhebbers of mensen die met katten werken.
Al om al een interessant boek en een aanrader voor katten liefhebbers of mensen die met katten werken.