Zara’s voice

Zara is my sweet Yorkie, a smart and affectionate dog, whose charismatic personality makes anyone fall in love. She chooses her toys, shows us when she is angry or worried when we sneeze. As we always say, she just doesn’t speak, or rather, she also speaks a little bit. Hold on Debora! Does Zara speak? Yes, but she speaks in Portuguese! Let me clarify.

Have you ever seen a ventriloquist? It’s the ability to “throw” one’s voice, creating the idea that the ventriloquist’s voice is coming from another person. According to Wikipedia, the ventriloquist’s voice represents a puppeteered prop voice, known as a “dummy”. 

My husband and I performed as a ventriloquist without knowing, making Zara’s voice. Her voice always made comments about our routine, giving her opinion, adding sometimes provocative comments or true answers. It made me think about these comments. Looking for a reason or which mechanism is behind it. 

What voice is it that finds no space in us? 

As you may know, we project ourselves on to others. It’s called “Psychological projection”, conceived by Sigmund Freud. It’s a defense mechanism where the ego defends itself by attributing some characteristics to others. Usually a thought or desire that the ego doesn’t accept. 

We authorized Zara’s voice to say what we don’t allow ourselves. Making it soft and acceptable or even showing our fears. It also might speak as a super-ego, a kind of critical thinking. Anyway, there could be many reasons, conscious or unconscious. Depending on the context and possible consequences, it is important to pay attention and ask yourself what is behind it.

Meanwhile, Zara keeps speaking every day, she is so funny! She always makes us laugh with her words! 

Featured image: Ventriloquist The Great Lester with Frank Byron, Jr. on his knee, c. 1904. From Wikipedia.