Does Empathy Vary with Accent?

The ability to identify with others and feel their emotions is a concept that has gained much attention in recent years. However, it remains a phenomenon that is not extensively studied, according to Mael Mauchand, a neuroscience doctoral student at McGill University. While scientists often analyze empathy in crisis situations where pain and misery are visible, Mauchand believes that empathy also involves small details that help establish connections with strangers. He states, “We still poorly understand its role in everyday interactions.” To explore this, Mauchand focused on a seemingly mundane scenario in Montreal — the conversations between newly arrived French immigrants and Quebecers. Previous research has highlighted the significance of voice tone and cultural differences in the levels of empathy expressed by a speaker. The young researcher aimed to investigate whether accents, reflective of a cultural context, also influence empathy. He explains, “French people who have just arrived in Montreal may be unfamiliar with the Quebecois accent, are less integrated, and have many biases. We wondered if this had an impact on their ability to feel empathy for Quebecers.” <a href="https://medium.com/@melodielangevin/does-empathy-vary-with-accent-3207cc20504e">Click Here</a>