Surreal cityscape transformed by sound waves and queer symbolism

Unlocking the Unheard: How Queer Phenomenology Transforms Our Understanding of Sound

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Nico Varela in Culture & Society April 2025 • 4 min read.

"Delve into the revolutionary concept of 'queer phenomenology' and discover how it challenges traditional perceptions of sound, identity, and the world around us."


In a world dominated by visual stimuli, the realm of sound often plays a secondary role, relegated to the background noise of our daily lives. But what if sound, in its raw and unfiltered form, held the key to unlocking deeper understandings of ourselves and the world around us? Enter 'queer phenomenology,' a groundbreaking approach that challenges our conventional perceptions of sound, identity, and reality.

Drawing inspiration from the work of Sara Ahmed and recent advancements in sound studies, queer phenomenology posits that sound, in its very essence, can be 'queer' – non-normative, resistant, and transformative. This perspective invites us to question the familiar, to explore the hidden dimensions of auditory experience, and to reconsider how sound shapes our understanding of space, identity, and social interaction.

This article will delve into the core concepts of queer phenomenology, exploring how it challenges traditional notions of sound and opens up new avenues for understanding the complexities of human experience. Prepare to have your perceptions challenged and your understanding of the world expanded as we embark on a journey into the uncharted territories of sound.

The Queerness of Sound: Challenging the Normative

Surreal cityscape transformed by sound waves and queer symbolism

At the heart of queer phenomenology lies the assertion that sound, as a fundamental aspect of our sensory experience, possesses the potential to disrupt and challenge normative structures. This 'queerness' of sound manifests in its resistance to easy categorization, its ability to evoke unexpected emotions and associations, and its capacity to reveal hidden aspects of our environment.

Consider the concept of 'field recording,' a practice that involves capturing sounds in their natural environment. Traditional approaches to field recording often focus on capturing 'legible sonic traces' – sounds that can be easily identified and interpreted. However, queer phenomenology encourages us to pay attention to the moments where sound resists transcription, where it defies our attempts to impose meaning and order.
  • Moments of Silence: The absence of expected sounds can be just as revealing as their presence.
  • Unidentifiable Noises: Sounds that defy easy categorization challenge our assumptions about the environment.
  • Overlapping Sounds: The chaotic interplay of multiple sounds can create a sense of disorientation and reveal the complexity of auditory experience.
These moments of sonic resistance, according to queer phenomenology, offer valuable insights into the non-normative aspects of our world. They remind us that reality is not always easily captured or understood and that the act of listening can be a powerful tool for challenging dominant narratives.

Redefining Our Sonic Reality

Queer phenomenology offers a transformative lens through which to understand the world of sound. By embracing the non-normative, challenging traditional assumptions, and paying attention to the moments of sonic resistance, we can unlock new understandings of ourselves, our environment, and the complex interplay between sound, identity, and experience. This is about embracing the queerness that exists all around us.

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