While Dolores’ high-pitched “hm” sound signifies that she is nervous in Encanto, it also has deeper historical meaning, rooted in Colombian culture.

Throughout Disney’s heavily praised animated feature Encanto, Dolores makes a particular “squeaking” sound rooted in Colombian culture. Encanto centers on the Madrigals, a Colombian family that is blessed with a miracle after having to flee their village. This miracle gives the family a new, enchanted home and each child a magical gift—except the youngest daughter, Mirabel.

While Encanto does not specify the exact location of the Madrigal’s town, the animated musical draws heavily upon its rural Colombian setting. This shapes Encanto’s environment, which features Wax Palm trees, coffee plantations, and animals like toucans, jaguars, and capybaras. Colombian culture also influenced the family values and characters portrayed in Encanto. The Madrigals not only wear traditional clothing but enjoy foods like arepas and coffee. Encanto’s songs emphasize the importance of music in Colombian culture, blending common musical styles such as Vallenato, Champeta, and salsa. In addition, one subtler way Encanto represents Colombian culture is through characters’ mannerisms.

Many of Encanto’s characters use Colombian facial and hand gestures, and Dolores even makes one typical Colombian sound. At different points throughout Encanto, Dolores makes a high-pitched “hm” noise. This includes when she bluntly explains Mirabel’s lack of a gift to the local children, describes Luisa’s anxiety and overhears Mirabel and her father discussing Bruno’s vision. Within Encanto then, Dolores’ “squeak” means that she is talking about something potentially upsetting or heard information she was not supposed to know. However, Dolores’ squeak also has a deeper historical meaning.

According to one explanation (via Twitter), gestures have great historical significance in Colombia. When colonizers arrived, indigenous Colombians were afraid to speak in front of them and risk being attacked. Due to this, Colombians began using nonverbal communication; instead they signaled each other through facial gestures and onomatopoeias, which Colombians still use today. This includes Dolores’ “hm” sound whenever she is nervous.

Encanto also features other similar Colombian mannerisms. For example, Mirabel frequently makes large hand gestures, reflecting the Colombian belief that it is rude for people to speak with their hands in their pockets. Camilo even makes a specific hand gesture when Antonio receives his gift. Camilo does an African finger snap, signifying that something cool or amazing is happening. Mirabel also uses a typical Colombian facial expression by pointing with her lips when encouraging Antonio to open his present. These gestures, along with Dolores’ “hm” sound, improve Encanto’s representation of Colombian culture, capturing a subtle but important aspect of daily life.

Next: Disney's Encanto Sets A New Bar For Cultural Representation, Says Star