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The Secret Language of Cats
Have you ever wondered what your cat is saying? Cats do not meow randomly, nor do they growl or hiss because they have nothing better to do. Cat sounds have a purpose, and they can carry important messages, whether for us or other cats.
Susanne Schštz is hard at work on breaking the cat code. She is a professor at Lund University in Sweden, where a long-standing research program is proving that cats do actually use vocal communication—with each other and with their human caretakers. Understanding the vocal strategies used in human-cat communication will have profound implications for how we communicate with our pets, and has the potential to improve the relationship between animals and humans within several fields, including animal therapy, veterinary medicine and animal sheltering.
In The Secret Language of Cats, Schštz offers a crash course in the phonetic study of cat sounds. She introduces us to the full range of feline vocalizations and explains what they can mean in different situations, and she gives practical tips to help us understand our cats better.
Susanne Schštz is hard at work on breaking the cat code. She is a professor at Lund University in Sweden, where a long-standing research program is proving that cats do actually use vocal communication—with each other and with their human caretakers. Understanding the vocal strategies used in human-cat communication will have profound implications for how we communicate with our pets, and has the potential to improve the relationship between animals and humans within several fields, including animal therapy, veterinary medicine and animal sheltering.
In The Secret Language of Cats, Schštz offers a crash course in the phonetic study of cat sounds. She introduces us to the full range of feline vocalizations and explains what they can mean in different situations, and she gives practical tips to help us understand our cats better.
265 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 2018
184 people are currently reading
2021 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
November 4, 2018
The Secret Language of Cats is an intelligent and well-researched take on cat communication. While some of the ideas contained in this book reinforced things I already knew (e.g., a cat growl is not a friendly sign!), I learned many new things and gained greater understanding of my cat who is a valued and integral member of our family.
The Secret Language of Cats is written in an approachable and easy-to-read style with the author being a fellow cat lover and frequently referencing her own cats’ behavior. Practical tips are contained herein as well, and overall, I found this an enjoyable and insightful read and one I plan to reference regularly.
Thank you to Harlequin/Hanover Square Press for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
The Secret Language of Cats is written in an approachable and easy-to-read style with the author being a fellow cat lover and frequently referencing her own cats’ behavior. Practical tips are contained herein as well, and overall, I found this an enjoyable and insightful read and one I plan to reference regularly.
Thank you to Harlequin/Hanover Square Press for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
August 25, 2018
”(Meow meow meow meow)
(meow meow meow meow)
(meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow)
(Meow meow meow meow)
(Meow meow meow meow)
(meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow)
(meow meow meow)
(meow meow meow)
(meow meow meow meow meow meow)”
-- The Meow Mix Theme, lyrics by Shelley Palmer, music composed by Tom McFaul (Lucas / McFaul “jingle house”)
If you’re interested in translating what your cat has been desperately trying to tell you since you brought him / her home from wherever you bought / found / obtained him / her, this may give you some answers. Most of us can tell when the message is “feed me” or (if your cat is allowed outside) “let me out,” beyond that, most of us are lost and clueless.
”Even if I think that I understand a cat sound correctly and can imitate it somewhat accurately, I can never be 100 percent sure that I have interpreted it correctly, whether I am using it in the right context and how I might interpret it or even try to translate it into a human language.“
And, because you can never be too careful, she adds:
”Cats do not have a language that works like a human language.”
”In this book, I present what I have learned from my past studies and my current research project, ‘Melody in Human-Cat Communication’ (Meowsic). I summarize the various kinds of sounds, the situations in which they occur and the existing variations. I also recount my personal experiences in dealing and communicating with cats. Additionally, the book contains a quick introduction to phonetics, so that my linguistic descriptions can be better understood.”
”The scientific investigation of cat sounds is, in itself, nothing new. Charles Darwin wrote about cat sounds. He recognized six or seven different vocalization (or sound) types and was especially interested in purring because it is produced during both inhalation and exhalation.”
She includes a range of phonetically spelled out vocalizations, their potential meanings, but also includes other, more practical, tips to “read” and be aware of our cats feelings and needs.
My cat, Paisley, is of mixed ancestry, like most shelter kitties. According to my last, and now my current vets, she is at least part Maine Coon, a longhaired calico who weighs more than both my dogs weights put together. She spent the first years of her life with me in the Bay Area and now on the East Coast where she can look out on all the birds and squirrels and chipmunks she dreams of catching, most likely. I’m pretty sure I can read her thoughts on that front. Surprisingly, she proved very adept at “discouraging” countless mice from living in our house (or anywhere else, for that matter) until one night when a bat managed to get in somehow, and she started twitching and ran from the room, terrified. It was as though she thought the mice had sprouted wings now, and it was just too, too much for her to handle.
I would love to know what Paisley thinks (to a point, though I’m sure I’d grow tired of hearing her endless complaints about Roxy, or why I won’t just let the birds come inside…her demands to be fed now,etc.), but I was surprised how in depth this book was, so when I heard that this woman, Susanne Schötz, a professor at Lund University (Sweden), working on a long-standing research program in order to prove that cats do “use vocal communication—with each other and with their human caretakers,” I wanted to see what this was all about.
I can’t say if Schötz has uncovered and phonetically transcribed and recorded every cat sound, but this study is actually quite fascinating for those who wish to really delve deep into trying to translate the various versions of meows they get from their cats.
I found this to be interesting, although there is a bit of repetition in the first half, but I also found that her experience with cats that have shown up at her door, or she’s taken in, adopted, nursed back to health, rushed to the Vet’s office to show how devoted she is to not only her cats that live with her, but all cats. Clearly she has a big heart and a lot of love for cats, which comes through loud and clear.
Pub Date: 6 Nov 2018
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Hanover Square Press / HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (US & Canada)
.
(meow meow meow meow)
(meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow)
(Meow meow meow meow)
(Meow meow meow meow)
(meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow)
(meow meow meow)
(meow meow meow)
(meow meow meow meow meow meow)”
-- The Meow Mix Theme, lyrics by Shelley Palmer, music composed by Tom McFaul (Lucas / McFaul “jingle house”)
If you’re interested in translating what your cat has been desperately trying to tell you since you brought him / her home from wherever you bought / found / obtained him / her, this may give you some answers. Most of us can tell when the message is “feed me” or (if your cat is allowed outside) “let me out,” beyond that, most of us are lost and clueless.
”Even if I think that I understand a cat sound correctly and can imitate it somewhat accurately, I can never be 100 percent sure that I have interpreted it correctly, whether I am using it in the right context and how I might interpret it or even try to translate it into a human language.“
And, because you can never be too careful, she adds:
”Cats do not have a language that works like a human language.”
”In this book, I present what I have learned from my past studies and my current research project, ‘Melody in Human-Cat Communication’ (Meowsic). I summarize the various kinds of sounds, the situations in which they occur and the existing variations. I also recount my personal experiences in dealing and communicating with cats. Additionally, the book contains a quick introduction to phonetics, so that my linguistic descriptions can be better understood.”
”The scientific investigation of cat sounds is, in itself, nothing new. Charles Darwin wrote about cat sounds. He recognized six or seven different vocalization (or sound) types and was especially interested in purring because it is produced during both inhalation and exhalation.”
She includes a range of phonetically spelled out vocalizations, their potential meanings, but also includes other, more practical, tips to “read” and be aware of our cats feelings and needs.
My cat, Paisley, is of mixed ancestry, like most shelter kitties. According to my last, and now my current vets, she is at least part Maine Coon, a longhaired calico who weighs more than both my dogs weights put together. She spent the first years of her life with me in the Bay Area and now on the East Coast where she can look out on all the birds and squirrels and chipmunks she dreams of catching, most likely. I’m pretty sure I can read her thoughts on that front. Surprisingly, she proved very adept at “discouraging” countless mice from living in our house (or anywhere else, for that matter) until one night when a bat managed to get in somehow, and she started twitching and ran from the room, terrified. It was as though she thought the mice had sprouted wings now, and it was just too, too much for her to handle.
I would love to know what Paisley thinks (to a point, though I’m sure I’d grow tired of hearing her endless complaints about Roxy, or why I won’t just let the birds come inside…her demands to be fed now,etc.), but I was surprised how in depth this book was, so when I heard that this woman, Susanne Schötz, a professor at Lund University (Sweden), working on a long-standing research program in order to prove that cats do “use vocal communication—with each other and with their human caretakers,” I wanted to see what this was all about.
I can’t say if Schötz has uncovered and phonetically transcribed and recorded every cat sound, but this study is actually quite fascinating for those who wish to really delve deep into trying to translate the various versions of meows they get from their cats.
I found this to be interesting, although there is a bit of repetition in the first half, but I also found that her experience with cats that have shown up at her door, or she’s taken in, adopted, nursed back to health, rushed to the Vet’s office to show how devoted she is to not only her cats that live with her, but all cats. Clearly she has a big heart and a lot of love for cats, which comes through loud and clear.
Pub Date: 6 Nov 2018
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Hanover Square Press / HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (US & Canada)
.
November 7, 2018
Couldn't resist this one.....What is my Maggie telling me when she sits at my feet and stares....when she blinks when I tell her how pretty she is....when she says raaaaaah as I scratch her belly, or when she chatters watching a bird outside?
Well, supposedly "Every cat has their own secret language."
Susanne Schotz is a professor at Lund University in Sweden and a phonetician by profession. She studies sounds of human speech, and in THE SECRET LANGUAGE OF CATS has analyzed cat sounds using the same phonetic methods as with humans.
While informative, found the scientific research a bit dry and somewhat repetitive, but enjoyed the personal experiences of author with her own cats and tidbits of information relating to cat sound variations and their meanings....and OMGOSH....so agree with the never again syndrome. Have felt the dread and despair of putting down an old beloved friend way too many times in my lifetime, but always end up adopting another one...or two after a while.
Many thanks to Hanover Square Press/ HARLEQUIN and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 31, 2018
Having been a cat lover for longer than I care to remember, I always enjoy books that can shed light on their behaviour, and here the author specifically explores how cats communicate. This is a serious non-fiction title which discusses numerous studies and research documents on the intricacies of the language cats use, both between themselves and another cat and that directed at us humans. There are many books out there about felines that are fun, lighthearted and laugh-out-loud funny, and this may be mistaken for one of those. Make no mistake, this is an intriguing and informative analysis of how our furry friends communicate, written by a phoneticist, and although it reads rather like a thesis, I found it thoroughly engaging and interesting throughout.
Due to the scientific approach this book takes, it is certainly more of a niche reading choice, so if you're looking for a humorous gift for a cat lover or a coffee table book, I would look elsewhere. This is for those who are interested in animal behaviour or for those who wish to understand more about how cats communicate and what each sound they make conveys. The Secret Language of Cats was right up my street. Superb!
Many thanks to HQ for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Due to the scientific approach this book takes, it is certainly more of a niche reading choice, so if you're looking for a humorous gift for a cat lover or a coffee table book, I would look elsewhere. This is for those who are interested in animal behaviour or for those who wish to understand more about how cats communicate and what each sound they make conveys. The Secret Language of Cats was right up my street. Superb!
Many thanks to HQ for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
November 18, 2018
“it is even more intimate if a cat blinks or closes its eyes altogether while it purrs. if your cat blinks at you like that it probably means ‘i trust you from the bottom of my heart’(130).”
i’ve never said this before, but i feel like this book didn’t need to be made. i read this cause i wanted to understand my cat better, but i realized i do understand him pretty well. i just don’t have all the fancy jargon to describe what each little sound means or could mean. looking at communication from the perspective of phonetics was interesting until it became tedious. every other sentence was “look this up on my blog” or “turn to the table on page blah blah blah.” and honestly i felt she should have just left all her research on a blog. it would have been a better option for all of us.
i’ve never said this before, but i feel like this book didn’t need to be made. i read this cause i wanted to understand my cat better, but i realized i do understand him pretty well. i just don’t have all the fancy jargon to describe what each little sound means or could mean. looking at communication from the perspective of phonetics was interesting until it became tedious. every other sentence was “look this up on my blog” or “turn to the table on page blah blah blah.” and honestly i felt she should have just left all her research on a blog. it would have been a better option for all of us.
September 25, 2018
Loving cats as I do and wanting to better my communication with George N Mildred I was keen to read this interesting looking book ( different cover to the one shown on Goodreads )
I was expecting ( via the cover ) a jaunty, maybe humorous and ‘light’ approach to ‘talking to cats’ and was, I thought, going to have a LOL read and then be able to chat about the intricate plot points of ‘The Bodyguard’ with G and M 😃
Nothing could have been further from the truth, this is a serious document on the authors work re cat communication, it details ( and I mean details ) cat vowels and consonants and what EVERY nuance of a cat sound can mean!!
This is done via personal stories, graphs, intricate analysis, appendixes and a link to ‘listen’ to the various sounds!
The author is, by trade, a phonetics professor and this shows as the book is more like a reference manual for University than a book to relax and enjoy
There are inaccuracies in the book, for example, the author tells us ( over many pages ) how she gets up and the first thing she does is feed her 5 cats and how they all greet her....only later to state she has a routine when she gets up and doesnt feed her cats until she has had her breakfast etc, this was a glaring difference in facts and imo does matter in a book, any book
There are the occasional ‘funny’ bits about her cats but far and few between
The only bits I really understood were the bits we all know, and you really dont need 15 pages on when a cat spits its angry or when a cat miaows near food its hungry!!!
Its a very clinical book BUT unfortunately tells you nothing that a cat owner wont already know
I guess the problem is a book like this, being daft humans means we think it is going to open up a whole world with our cats that we never knew existed, of course its not, none the less its a major disappointment it doesnt!!
It was not for me and is not really, imo, a book for the cat lover unless you are specifically interested in going into great great minutia on the subject and even then being none the wiser!
Disappointing am afraid
I was expecting ( via the cover ) a jaunty, maybe humorous and ‘light’ approach to ‘talking to cats’ and was, I thought, going to have a LOL read and then be able to chat about the intricate plot points of ‘The Bodyguard’ with G and M 😃
Nothing could have been further from the truth, this is a serious document on the authors work re cat communication, it details ( and I mean details ) cat vowels and consonants and what EVERY nuance of a cat sound can mean!!
This is done via personal stories, graphs, intricate analysis, appendixes and a link to ‘listen’ to the various sounds!
The author is, by trade, a phonetics professor and this shows as the book is more like a reference manual for University than a book to relax and enjoy
There are inaccuracies in the book, for example, the author tells us ( over many pages ) how she gets up and the first thing she does is feed her 5 cats and how they all greet her....only later to state she has a routine when she gets up and doesnt feed her cats until she has had her breakfast etc, this was a glaring difference in facts and imo does matter in a book, any book
There are the occasional ‘funny’ bits about her cats but far and few between
The only bits I really understood were the bits we all know, and you really dont need 15 pages on when a cat spits its angry or when a cat miaows near food its hungry!!!
Its a very clinical book BUT unfortunately tells you nothing that a cat owner wont already know
I guess the problem is a book like this, being daft humans means we think it is going to open up a whole world with our cats that we never knew existed, of course its not, none the less its a major disappointment it doesnt!!
It was not for me and is not really, imo, a book for the cat lover unless you are specifically interested in going into great great minutia on the subject and even then being none the wiser!
Disappointing am afraid
August 7, 2018
What is your cat trying to tell you when she purrs, chirp, growls or any other sounds she might make? This. two-pronged approach to decoding cat language. includes the scientific analysis of the phonetics befitting a linguist, plus the practical observations of a devoted cat lover. Besides covering language, she also discusses common behavioral issues and strategies for overcoming them. Helpful for all cat lovers.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 21, 2023
I felt it was about 50 pages of content repeated several times. The author talks about all the future studies she will be doing, and I can’t help but think it would have been worth waiting to write the book after a few more years.
July 9, 2018
Fun and informative book! I was kind of hoping there was a chapter on cats who actually say human words in context! Mine calls me "ma" or "mami"(he was a kitten in a Spanish speaking neighborhood, so I assume he's heard some Spanish!), he says "Yeah!" very enthusiastically when you ask him if he wants something , and his ever popular "HELP!!" when getting a bath- even pronounces the "P"! He's a polyglot in Cat, English, Spanish, German, and a bit of Italian and French. Ah, well, I love cats and read any book I come across on them; always seeking more insight. This is a good book for those cat lovers who are looking to connect with their cats on a deeper level.
November 6, 2021
Not bad, but a bit too much of the book was just her advertising her website (which was also not bad). Satisfied, but not thrilled with the reading experience. Better as an audiobook, too.
December 5, 2019
Co mówi do ciebie twój kot, kiedy rano głośno miauczy ci do ucha? Co ma na myśli, kiedy zaczyna ćwierkać jak ptak? I czy głośny koci wrzask w środku nocy zawsze oznacza, że stało się coś poważnego? Jeśli macie kota, na pewno czasem zastanawiacie się o co mu chodzi. Większość sygnałów potraficie odczytać, nie znacie się przecież od wczoraj. Ale czasami kot nie daje za wygraną, próbuje powiedzieć wam coś, czego za nic nie jesteście w stanie zrozumieć? W tej książce znajdziecie podpowiedź jak słuchać kota, aby lepiej zrozumieć jego potrzeby.
Susanne Schötz jest lingwistką fonetyczną, która na codzień mieszka z pięcioma kotami. Rozmowy z pupilami zainspirowały ją do zbadania kociej mowy. Analizuje czym różni się miauczenie od mruczenia, fukanie od gruchania, wycie od krzyku oraz co oznaczają poszczególne dzięki. Dodatkowo bierze pod uwagę mowę ciała, którą koty opanowały do perfekcji. Oprócz analizy kociego języka, w tej krótkiej książeczce znajdziemy też sporo anegdot z prywatnego życia autorki i jej kotów. Poznamy rozwiązania na kilka częstych problemów behawioralnych, z którymi zmaga się wielu kocich właścicieli. Czytając na pewno będziecie kiwać głowami z politowaniem i myśleć „taaa, skąd ja to znam”.
Książka napisana jest językiem bardo prostym i lekkim w odbiorze. Pojawiają się w niej rozdziały, które zawierają bardziej specjalistyczną terminologię, co może przysporzyć niektórym czytelnikom niemałych problemów. Bez obaw jednak, autorka sama sugeruje, że jeśli metodologiczna strona fonetyki nie interesuje czytelnika, może on bez skrupułów pominąć te części nie tracąc nic w odbiorze całości. Wszystko to sprawia, że „Sekretny język kotów” można przeczytać w 2-3 godziny. Polecam wszystkim kociarzom, a szczególnie tym, którzy (tak jak ja) uwielbiają konstruktywne debaty z kotami.
Susanne Schötz jest lingwistką fonetyczną, która na codzień mieszka z pięcioma kotami. Rozmowy z pupilami zainspirowały ją do zbadania kociej mowy. Analizuje czym różni się miauczenie od mruczenia, fukanie od gruchania, wycie od krzyku oraz co oznaczają poszczególne dzięki. Dodatkowo bierze pod uwagę mowę ciała, którą koty opanowały do perfekcji. Oprócz analizy kociego języka, w tej krótkiej książeczce znajdziemy też sporo anegdot z prywatnego życia autorki i jej kotów. Poznamy rozwiązania na kilka częstych problemów behawioralnych, z którymi zmaga się wielu kocich właścicieli. Czytając na pewno będziecie kiwać głowami z politowaniem i myśleć „taaa, skąd ja to znam”.
Książka napisana jest językiem bardo prostym i lekkim w odbiorze. Pojawiają się w niej rozdziały, które zawierają bardziej specjalistyczną terminologię, co może przysporzyć niektórym czytelnikom niemałych problemów. Bez obaw jednak, autorka sama sugeruje, że jeśli metodologiczna strona fonetyki nie interesuje czytelnika, może on bez skrupułów pominąć te części nie tracąc nic w odbiorze całości. Wszystko to sprawia, że „Sekretny język kotów” można przeczytać w 2-3 godziny. Polecam wszystkim kociarzom, a szczególnie tym, którzy (tak jak ja) uwielbiają konstruktywne debaty z kotami.
December 2, 2018
Susanne Schotz is a definite cat lover and shares her house with her husband and five cats that are her "subjects" for the book and her affection for her furry companions and passion for studying how they communicate is fully evident in The Secret Language of Cats. The book is part science, part psychology and part tribute to her pets and is an interesting and fun read for a cat lover. There are times that the science gets a little dry and I confess that the phonetic descriptions don't do much for me, however going on her website Meowsic was the perfect companion as I could listen to her cats make many of the sounds in the book and that helped me interpret the phonetic transcriptions. My cat Max found the audio to be somewhat disconcerting as he couldn't see the cats making the noises I was listening too, which brought up some questioning mews and meows from him. I also found the sound and body language descriptions in the book to be very helpful in matching Schotz's interpretations of the sounds her cats make with mine of Max's vocalizations. There are charming illustrations of the author's cats in the books as well as pictures and videos on the website which are fun to look at. A quick read with tidbits of cat knowledge that i found to be very help and engaging, I enjoyed this book and plan to share it with a few cat-loving friends.
You can see my recipe and a recipe pairing here: http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/20...
Note: A review copy of "The Secret Language of Cats" was provided to me by the author and the publisher via TLC Book Tours. I was not compensated for this review and as always, my thoughts and opinions are my own.
You can see my recipe and a recipe pairing here: http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/20...
Note: A review copy of "The Secret Language of Cats" was provided to me by the author and the publisher via TLC Book Tours. I was not compensated for this review and as always, my thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 5, 2020
Czytałam polskie wydanie tej książki i do tej wersji się odniosę. Książka nie zawiera wielu nowych informacji o kocich zachowaniach i nie ujawnia wielu tajemnic, jak obiecuje clickbaitowy tytuł, ale jest sympatycznym wprowadzeniem do tematu kocich dźwięków, artykulacji i melodii. Autorka posiłkuje się wiedzą z fonologii i własnych badań oraz obserwacji przeprowadzonych na własnych kotach i czyta się te części bardzo dobrze, choć momentami widać, że wiedza autorki o behawiorze kotów (np. ich zapoznawaniu) jest dość fragmentaryczna a miejscami opisy zachowań własnych kotów są sprzeczne (po ośmiu dniach koty się dogadaly... tylko potem trzeba je było trwale odizolować). Szkoda, ze wydanie ani trochę nie wyjaśnia kontekstu szwedzkiego albo nie podaje w przypisach porad dla polskiego: gdy autorka pisze o tym, co zrobić z bezdomnym kotem, jej rady są dopasowane do innej sytuacji prawnej i społecznej i w części nieadekwatne.
Książka niestety zawiera też sporo powtórzeń i fragmentów wypełniaczy. Już wolałabym więcej anegdot czy opisów dźwięków innych kotów zamiast porad behawioralnych dla bardzo początkujących. No i polskie wydanie obiecuje namiary na stronę internetową z nagraniami kotów... nawet mówi, gdzie ten adres będzie, a potem go nie zamieszcza. Ups.
Mimo wszystko sporo ciekawych rzeczy sobie uporządkowałam. Jakby jeszcze było więcej o różnych zwierzętach dla porównania, to byłabym bardzo zadowolona: może w następnej książce?
Książka niestety zawiera też sporo powtórzeń i fragmentów wypełniaczy. Już wolałabym więcej anegdot czy opisów dźwięków innych kotów zamiast porad behawioralnych dla bardzo początkujących. No i polskie wydanie obiecuje namiary na stronę internetową z nagraniami kotów... nawet mówi, gdzie ten adres będzie, a potem go nie zamieszcza. Ups.
Mimo wszystko sporo ciekawych rzeczy sobie uporządkowałam. Jakby jeszcze było więcej o różnych zwierzętach dla porównania, to byłabym bardzo zadowolona: może w następnej książce?
Read
December 10, 2020DNF - I love cats but I’m not a phoneticist and there was absolutely no point in continuing with this book as much as the subject matter fascinates me. There was too much, it could mean this, or that, or none of them and is different for every cat so really this whole book is, “I don’t know but I’m going to tell you how I came to the conclusion of I don’t know, even though you won’t understand how I came to this conclusion”. It was just so full of contradictory messages and I get that the subject matter is difficult but then don’t spend the entire book going maybe it means this?! And luring us in with the title.
March 11, 2023
I had high hopes that this book would provide some insight into cat communication, and perhaps some additional understanding of cat behaviour. I was disappointed that the book is focussed on the analysis of cat vocalisations - precisely what they sound like - with much less insight about what they mean. The research seems to be anecdotal based on a small number of cats that the author is familiar with, rather than based on broad studies. Overall I was disappointed and skimmed most of the book.
July 5, 2018
Brilliant use of language and phonetics to describe cat sounds. I have had the pleasure of living with cats for most of my adult years. I have heard MANY sounds and agree with the author on what they mean. Now, Dusty, Bernadette and Holly grace me with their voices, antics and love. This book, while intense, is a 5 star winner for all cat fanciers!
July 16, 2019
The author breaks the kitty communication code for the millions of us who live happily with feline companions. Now, we know precisely why our cats meow or growl or hiss or trill. A compelling and instructive read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin - Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) for the early read. Opinions are mine.
#TheSecretLanguageOfCats #NetGalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin - Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) for the early read. Opinions are mine.
#TheSecretLanguageOfCats #NetGalley
July 17, 2019
The author breaks the kitty communication code for the millions of us who live happily with feline companions. Now, we know precisely why our cats meow or growl or hiss or trill. A compelling and instructive read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin - Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) for the early read. Opinions are fully mine.
#TheSecretLanguageOfCats #NetGalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin - Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) for the early read. Opinions are fully mine.
#TheSecretLanguageOfCats #NetGalley
January 25, 2021
"Poznaj tajniki kociej mowy, aby lepiej zrozumieć swojego pupila". Czy ta książka pomogła mi lepiej zrozumieć koty, z którymi mieszkam? Nie. Powód jest prosy, wszytko to co opisała autorka, ja nauczyłam się po tygodniu mnieszkania z kotami pod jednym dachem. Ten tytuł zawiera w sobie szereg zapisów na temat fonetyki kocich miałknieć. Jak sama autorka wyjaśnia na wstępię ta książka nie wyjaśni wszystkiego, gdyż nie da się do końca wyjąsnić kociej mowy. "Sekretny język kotów" to tak na prawdę zapiski naukowe połączone z pamiętinikiem przeżyć autorki i jej futrzastych przyjaciół. W moim odczuciu książka jest zbędna, bo te same informacje możecie zdobyć obcując z kotem. Co najwyżej mogę polecić Wam ten tytuł jako czytadło do pociągu. Osobiście się zawiodłam (5/10⭐)
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Druga sesja zdjęciowa z udziałem Wandy, jak sobie daje radę nowa modelka? #😊
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Druga sesja zdjęciowa z udziałem Wandy, jak sobie daje radę nowa modelka? #😊
March 12, 2025
coś co może wydać się oczywiste, ale czytanie/słuchanie w audiobooku (który nie jest czytany przez autorkę) tej książki momentami nie ma do końca sensu ;)
książka jest głównie o dźwiękach jakie koty wydają, więc czytelnik czytając zapis fonetyczny tych dźwięków zapewne nie ogarnie tematu tak dobrze jak podczas słuchania faktycznych dźwięków
książka jest głównie o dźwiękach jakie koty wydają, więc czytelnik czytając zapis fonetyczny tych dźwięków zapewne nie ogarnie tematu tak dobrze jak podczas słuchania faktycznych dźwięków
July 11, 2020
This was written by a woman who really loves cats and used her professional training in phonetics to record and classify her five cats' sounds. If you like cats, you will enjoy this.
July 17, 2022
"Als een leeuw kon spreken, zouden wij hem niet kunnen verstaan", schreef Ludwig Wittgenstein ooit. Wat voor leeuwen geldt, geldt niet noodzakelijk voor katten, moet Susanne Schötz wel gedacht hebben! Als luchtige opwarmer van mijn 'leesmarathon' deze zomer, heb ik een reeks non-fictieboeken over katten opgezocht in mijn lokale bibliotheek. Katten zijn leuk, en nu we zelf twee jonge grijze tijgertjes hebben rondlopen, ben ik er nog verder geïnteresseerd in geraakt. Ik zou graag bijleren over hun gedrag en hun plaats in de menselijke cultuur en geschiedenis.
Dit boek lijkt me echter vooral een excuus van de auteur om een boek over katten te schrijven. Dat ligt niet zozeer aan haar gebrek aan schrijftalent, maar wel aan het onderwerp zelf: wie haalt het nu in zijn hoofd om een dikke 200 pagina's te schrijven over... kattengeluiden?! Op pp. 26-34 geeft de auteur een overzicht van de verschillende soorten kattengeluiden - compleet met fonetiek - en besluit: "Zo, eigenlijk zou dit boek nu al afgerond kunnen zijn." Wel, dat klopt - na deze pagina volgt er eigenlijk geen relevante nieuwe informatie meer.
Waarom ik dit boek dan toch twee in plaats van één sterren geef, is de website over het onderzoeksproject van de auteur, 'Meowsic'. Schötz heeft een gedetailleerde categorisatie van de verschillende soorten kattengeluiden en hun 'betekenis' gemaakt. Je vindt de website op https://meowsic.se/catvoc.html - compleet met bijhorende filmpjes van de katten van de auteur. Dankzij deze website begrijp je bijvoorbeeld ook het vreemde gedrag dat een kat een soort 'kletterend', k-k-k-k-k-k-geluid maakt wanneer het een prooi nadert (want je zou denken dat dat geluid de prooi juist zou wegjagen).
Een boek is misschien wel het slechtste medium om iets over kattencommunicatie te zeggen: een boek kan geen miauw of grom afspelen, en ook de katten zelf kan men niet zien - en uiteraard: kattenliefhebberij heeft vooral te maken met het uitzicht van de kat - we zouden ze nooit 'gedomesticeerd' hebben als ze lelijk in plaats van schattig waren. De enige reden waarom het boek misschien een meerwaarde vormt, is dat men op pp. 17-24 kan lezen over het verhaal van Schötz' eigen katten, die men in de filmpjes op https://meowsic.se/catvoc.html kan zien.
Dit boek lijkt me echter vooral een excuus van de auteur om een boek over katten te schrijven. Dat ligt niet zozeer aan haar gebrek aan schrijftalent, maar wel aan het onderwerp zelf: wie haalt het nu in zijn hoofd om een dikke 200 pagina's te schrijven over... kattengeluiden?! Op pp. 26-34 geeft de auteur een overzicht van de verschillende soorten kattengeluiden - compleet met fonetiek - en besluit: "Zo, eigenlijk zou dit boek nu al afgerond kunnen zijn." Wel, dat klopt - na deze pagina volgt er eigenlijk geen relevante nieuwe informatie meer.
Waarom ik dit boek dan toch twee in plaats van één sterren geef, is de website over het onderzoeksproject van de auteur, 'Meowsic'. Schötz heeft een gedetailleerde categorisatie van de verschillende soorten kattengeluiden en hun 'betekenis' gemaakt. Je vindt de website op https://meowsic.se/catvoc.html - compleet met bijhorende filmpjes van de katten van de auteur. Dankzij deze website begrijp je bijvoorbeeld ook het vreemde gedrag dat een kat een soort 'kletterend', k-k-k-k-k-k-geluid maakt wanneer het een prooi nadert (want je zou denken dat dat geluid de prooi juist zou wegjagen).
Een boek is misschien wel het slechtste medium om iets over kattencommunicatie te zeggen: een boek kan geen miauw of grom afspelen, en ook de katten zelf kan men niet zien - en uiteraard: kattenliefhebberij heeft vooral te maken met het uitzicht van de kat - we zouden ze nooit 'gedomesticeerd' hebben als ze lelijk in plaats van schattig waren. De enige reden waarom het boek misschien een meerwaarde vormt, is dat men op pp. 17-24 kan lezen over het verhaal van Schötz' eigen katten, die men in de filmpjes op https://meowsic.se/catvoc.html kan zien.
November 9, 2018
I was expecting a lighthearted book when I opened the cover and started to read. What I found was so much more. The author is a professor of phonetics and she takes that training and applies it to the various sounds that her cats make and uses it to try and decipher what a cat is trying to tell you. But don’t despair – it’s written in an approachable way, no gobbledygook.
I must admit that I did find the science behind both human language and the cat sounds to be very interesting. The author includes many appendices and provides links to youtube videos with the sounds of her own cats so you can go and listen so as to compare to what the science indicates.
This is not going to be a book for everyone for just the reasons I’ve written about above. Some people are going to buy this book and expect a simplistic, almost comic book like approach to the subject and be disappointed by the serious tone. As I noted, that is what I thought it was going to be from the title. BUT I am a very eclectic reader and I found myself quite drawn into the science. The author also cleverly weaves tales of her cats throughout the book so that the reader does not get overwhelmed by all of the phonetics.
An interesting read for anyone looking to further their relationship with their furry family member.
I must admit that I did find the science behind both human language and the cat sounds to be very interesting. The author includes many appendices and provides links to youtube videos with the sounds of her own cats so you can go and listen so as to compare to what the science indicates.
This is not going to be a book for everyone for just the reasons I’ve written about above. Some people are going to buy this book and expect a simplistic, almost comic book like approach to the subject and be disappointed by the serious tone. As I noted, that is what I thought it was going to be from the title. BUT I am a very eclectic reader and I found myself quite drawn into the science. The author also cleverly weaves tales of her cats throughout the book so that the reader does not get overwhelmed by all of the phonetics.
An interesting read for anyone looking to further their relationship with their furry family member.
August 25, 2020
Odhalte kočičí řeč a porozumějte svým mazlíčkům lépe, díky knize, která přináší odborné poznatky přístupně a doprovázené milým vyprávěním.
Tak tolik k anotaci….
Upřímně, horší knížku jsem už dlouho nečetla. Na 200 stranách nám autorka popisuje zvuky koček, jejich výslovnost i kočičí artikulaci. Tohle opravdu nemohu pochopit, proč se má v knize zvuk popisovat. Oceňuji autorčin výzkum, že si s tím dala takovou práci, ale proč nenatočila dokument, abychom kočky mohli vidět a hlavně slyšet. Myslím, že mám kočičí „řeč“ hodně naposlouchanou, ale ať se snažím sebevíc, drobné nuance mezi kočičím mňau a mňaaau, popisované autorkou, si skutečně nedokáži představit.
Navíc na téměř každé druhé straně je odkaz na autorčiny webové stránky, kde odkazuje na nahrávky kočičích zvuků. Ani ty mě však nepřesvědčily.
Kniha byla zdlouhavá, spoustu věcí se opakovalo, bylo to hodně vědecké a nudné. Chvílemi jsem v knize přeskakovala jednotlivé odstavce, protože mně to absolutně nic nepřinášelo. Od knihy jsem měla jiná očekávání, čekala jsem více zábavnou formu, více milých kočičích příběhu a vtipných historek. Už jen díky tomu obalu jsem očekávala něco jiného.
Já jsem velký milovník koček, mám je od malička pořád, rozumím si s nimi i bez návodu. Kočky jsou spřízněné duše a buď jim rozumíte, máte k nim blízko a nebo ne. Ale v tom prostě věda nepomůže.
Tak tolik k anotaci….
Upřímně, horší knížku jsem už dlouho nečetla. Na 200 stranách nám autorka popisuje zvuky koček, jejich výslovnost i kočičí artikulaci. Tohle opravdu nemohu pochopit, proč se má v knize zvuk popisovat. Oceňuji autorčin výzkum, že si s tím dala takovou práci, ale proč nenatočila dokument, abychom kočky mohli vidět a hlavně slyšet. Myslím, že mám kočičí „řeč“ hodně naposlouchanou, ale ať se snažím sebevíc, drobné nuance mezi kočičím mňau a mňaaau, popisované autorkou, si skutečně nedokáži představit.
Navíc na téměř každé druhé straně je odkaz na autorčiny webové stránky, kde odkazuje na nahrávky kočičích zvuků. Ani ty mě však nepřesvědčily.
Kniha byla zdlouhavá, spoustu věcí se opakovalo, bylo to hodně vědecké a nudné. Chvílemi jsem v knize přeskakovala jednotlivé odstavce, protože mně to absolutně nic nepřinášelo. Od knihy jsem měla jiná očekávání, čekala jsem více zábavnou formu, více milých kočičích příběhu a vtipných historek. Už jen díky tomu obalu jsem očekávala něco jiného.
Já jsem velký milovník koček, mám je od malička pořád, rozumím si s nimi i bez návodu. Kočky jsou spřízněné duše a buď jim rozumíte, máte k nim blízko a nebo ne. Ale v tom prostě věda nepomůže.
November 8, 2018
A fascinating look at the language of cats. There's quite a lot of in depth work on how cats form their sounds and what they could possibly mean. At times it went a little beyond me but for the most part, it was an informative read with the author relating some of the experiences with her own cats. I thought it was especially interesting that someone with an unusual voice could find their cat trying to mimic their way of talking. It has definitely made me determined to see if I can figure out what my three cats are 'saying' to me with their miaows, trills, and chirrups. A good read for all cat owners out there.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, HarperCollins UK / HQ, for the opportunity to review an ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, HarperCollins UK / HQ, for the opportunity to review an ARC.
July 26, 2018
Being a new cat parent, this was a very helpful read. Some of the phonetic descriptions can be dry, and there is a bit of repetition throughout the first half, but overall this is a very informative book if you like cats at all. The second half contains a lot of tips and anecdotes by the author about her extensive experience with cats that she's adopted and have helped out around her neighborhood. Whether you've had cats all your life, or are thinking about adopting one, there are definitely things to learn from Susanne Schötz.
January 2, 2019
First of all I have to say this book is not your typical how-talk-to-cats guide. This is a book for linguists, phoneticians and cat enthusiasts who want to know how exactly cats produce sound.
As a linguist and a huge cat lover, I enjoyed this book very much. However be prepared this is primarily a book based on phonetics (very simply: science about how and where sounds get produced).
The author did a very good job - she combined definitions and scientifical facts with her real-life first hand experience wirh cats and their behavior.
I learned a lot from this book.
As a linguist and a huge cat lover, I enjoyed this book very much. However be prepared this is primarily a book based on phonetics (very simply: science about how and where sounds get produced).
The author did a very good job - she combined definitions and scientifical facts with her real-life first hand experience wirh cats and their behavior.
I learned a lot from this book.
April 5, 2022
I couldn't get much from this. The audiobook would be great for anyone who wants to listen to someone make a series of cat-like noises, over and over. It feels monotonous and repetitive, and not very useful or enlightening. The author obviously put a lot of time into creating this study of cat sounds, but as a cat lover, I would rather listen to my cat.
I did learn that a kitty's chirps and trills are even more a sign of happiness and contentment than purring, which cats can do under stress to comfort themselves.
I did learn that a kitty's chirps and trills are even more a sign of happiness and contentment than purring, which cats can do under stress to comfort themselves.
February 7, 2021
Good idea in theory and some interesting soundbites, but getting into the meat of it was like reading someone’s dissertation - fascinating for the researcher, mind-numbingly dull for the casual reader who just really likes cats. I tried to get into it, but ended up being a DNF.
January 21, 2021
Interesting in parts but a bit too technical at times . Reassuring to learn that cats can train their owners, our 2 have us wrapped around their little paws😂
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