Sven Grawunder

Sven Grawunder is a speech scientist, phonetician, and linguist affiliated with the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, where he holds the position of Guest Researcher in the Department of Human Behavior, Ecology and Culture. He previously served as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in the Linguistics Department of the same institute (2005–2015). His work bridges phonetics, comparative linguistics, and evolutionary biology.

Education: PhD in Speech Science (2005, Halle University), Diploma in Speech Science (1999, Halle University). Early training includes clinical speech therapy (1998–1999) and civilian service in laryngology (1992–1993).

Research focuses on comparative phonetics, vocal physiology, and the evolution of human communication. Key areas include non-linguistic vocal behaviors (e.g., throat singing), primate vocalizations (chimpanzees, bonobos), and language change mechanisms. Current projects involve analyzing vocalizations in wild chimpanzees (collaboration with Cathy Crockford) and comparative larynx anatomy of great apes.

Publications emphasize interdisciplinary methods, linking acoustic analysis to evolutionary and sociolinguistic frameworks. Notable topics include the acoustic basis of politeness in Korean speech, cross-linguistic phonetic patterns in Caucasian languages, and the role of body size in animal communication signals.

Teaching experience spans phonetic transcription, experimental methods, and software tools like Praat. Supervised over 15 graduate theses in phonetics and speech science. Active in professional organizations including the International Phonetic Association (IPA) and ISCA.

Fieldwork spans global linguistic diversity hotspots (Tuva, Daghestan, Argentina) and endangered languages documentation. A core focus is the intersection of vocal behavior and social hierarchies, exploring how physiological and environmental factors shape communication systems.