From gee to haw (and everything in between): Deconstructing the transspecies pidgin of mushing in northern Saskatchewan

This multispecies ethnography deconstructs the Gee Haw transspecies pidgin of settler origin mushing in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Through a focus on multisensory methodological inquiry, I describe interspecies communication and human perceptions around nonhuman knowledge in the context of sled dog racing. This pidgin is a product of biconstructivism which includes motherese (verbal) words rooted in the English language, vocalisation, short phrases for reinforcement, the use of material devices, and training methodologies to shape a multisensory experience of interspecies collaboration. Dogs are considered nonhuman athletes in this hybrid community. They are bred, cared and trained for their “drive”, speed, endurance and the ability to understand commands. The sled dog exchange is explored through the lens of team sports and perceptions around nonhuman “occupation” are explained. This study aims to contribute towards an academic space given to more than human communication by detailing its findings from Gee (right) to Haw (left) and everything in between. Keywords: mushing, pidgin, dog-human communication, nonhuman athletes, haptic sociality

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Anthropology

Grantor dc:publisher

Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Regina

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Doley Barman, Pradeep Ranjan

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Oehler, Alex

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Abbott, Sarah
• Brigham, R. Mark

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

https://doi.org/10.82465/4010

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:uregina.scholaris.ca:10294/16523