Sonic methodologies for more-than-human geographies: the politics of listening in a traditional slaughterhouse in the UK

Abstract

Sound is an established parameter in animal welfare studies. A sonic ethnographic study of a traditional slaughterhouse in south-west England reveals how animal welfare, conceived as ‘respect for the animal’ at slaughter, is based on sonically attuned practices. Such sonic engagement distinguishes the traditional slaughterhouse from industrial operations and works to dispel the stigma of killing for the workers. A sonic approach centers the more-than-human methodologically whilst also revealing the politics of listening in the slaughterhouse.