Interpersonal distance, mouth sounds, and referentiality in child-dog play: A pluridisciplinary approach

The aim of this paper is to explore how interpersonal distance, mouth sounds, and human language are synchronized to construe meaning within interspecies play projects. The data consist of video recordings presenting 4 child-dog dyads in ecological French-speaking contexts. The study combines ethological methods, phonetic analysis, and cognitive-linguistic analysis. The paper shows that physical contact and proximity characterize child-dog play and affect children's vocal behaviour. Adjustments in interpersonal distance are conditioned by ongoing play projects. In plays including hidden or out-of-reach objects, proxemic adjustments, sounds, and language structures construe referentiality and perspective-taking. • Adjustments in interpersonal distance are conditioned by types of child-dog play. • Proximity and direct physical contact with a dog affect children's vocal behaviour. • Mouth sounds and adjustments in distance construe local referentiality. • Children identify referential potential in dogs' vocal and bodily behaviour. • Children support referential construal with concrete perspective-taking.