Whispering
Encyclopedia
Whispering is an unvoiced mode of phonation
in which the vocal cords do not vibrate normally but are instead adducted sufficiently to create audible turbulence
(a 'hissing' quality) as the speaker exhales (or occasionally inhales) during speech. This is a somewhat greater adduction than that found in breathy voice
. Articulation
remains the same as in normal speech.
In normal speech, the vocal cords alternate between states of voice and voicelessness. In whispering, only the voicing changes, so that the vocal cords alternate between whisper and voicelessness (though the acoustic difference between the two states is minimal).
There is no symbol in the IPA for whispered phonation, since it is not used phonemically in any language. However, a sub-dot under phonemically voiced segments is sometimes seen in the literature, as [ʃʊ̣ḍ] for whispered should.
prescribed when one has fully or partially lost one's voice.
Whispering has also become popular on the video-sharing website YouTube
, where a community of users has emerged, in which users upload videos of themselves whispering quietly, some with the intent to relax the listener, and others simply whispering about no particular topic. These whisper videos frequently forego the visual aspect of the video and focus only on the audio, using a picture as a backdrop, or pointing the camera at a nondescript or dark area. A popular sub-genre of whispering videos is the relaxation video, in which the whisperer uses guided relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation to lull the listener into relaxation, frequently with the intent to aid in sleep. A notable technique in this sub-genre unique to whisper videos is the stereo right-left panning of the whisperer's voice, which has the effect of simulating the speaker whispering into the listener's ear if listened to using headphones.
Phonation
Phonation has slightly different meanings depending on the subfield of phonetics. Among some phoneticians, phonation is the process by which the vocal folds produce certain sounds through quasi-periodic vibration. This is the definition used among those who study laryngeal anatomy and physiology...
in which the vocal cords do not vibrate normally but are instead adducted sufficiently to create audible turbulence
Turbulence
In fluid dynamics, turbulence or turbulent flow is a flow regime characterized by chaotic and stochastic property changes. This includes low momentum diffusion, high momentum convection, and rapid variation of pressure and velocity in space and time...
(a 'hissing' quality) as the speaker exhales (or occasionally inhales) during speech. This is a somewhat greater adduction than that found in breathy voice
Breathy voice
Breathy voice is a phonation in which the vocal cords vibrate, as they do in normal voicing, but are held further apart, so that a larger volume of air escapes between them. This produces an audible noise...
. Articulation
Manner of articulation
In linguistics, manner of articulation describes how the tongue, lips, jaw, and other speech organs are involved in making a sound. Often the concept is only used for the production of consonants, even though the movement of the articulars will also greatly alter the resonant properties of the...
remains the same as in normal speech.
In normal speech, the vocal cords alternate between states of voice and voicelessness. In whispering, only the voicing changes, so that the vocal cords alternate between whisper and voicelessness (though the acoustic difference between the two states is minimal).
There is no symbol in the IPA for whispered phonation, since it is not used phonemically in any language. However, a sub-dot under phonemically voiced segments is sometimes seen in the literature, as [ʃʊ̣ḍ] for whispered should.
Social role of whispering
Whispering is generally used quietly, to limit the hearing of speech to listeners who are nearby; for example, to convey secret information without being overheard or to avoid disturbing others in a quiet place such as a library or place of worship. Loud whispering, known as a stage whisper, is generally used only for dramatic or emphatic purposes. Whispering also takes less effort to vocalize than a normal speech pattern. This is because less air needs to be used to vocalize the sound. However, while it takes less effort to produce a whisper, it tires out the vocal cords more quickly. For this reason the whispering voice should not be used during vocal restVocal rest
Vocal rest is the process of resting the vocal folds by not speaking or singing, which typically follows vocal disorders or viral infections which cause hoarseness in the voice, such as the common cold or influenza. The purpose of vocal rest is to hasten recovery time. It is believed that vocal...
prescribed when one has fully or partially lost one's voice.
Whispering has also become popular on the video-sharing website YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
, where a community of users has emerged, in which users upload videos of themselves whispering quietly, some with the intent to relax the listener, and others simply whispering about no particular topic. These whisper videos frequently forego the visual aspect of the video and focus only on the audio, using a picture as a backdrop, or pointing the camera at a nondescript or dark area. A popular sub-genre of whispering videos is the relaxation video, in which the whisperer uses guided relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation to lull the listener into relaxation, frequently with the intent to aid in sleep. A notable technique in this sub-genre unique to whisper videos is the stereo right-left panning of the whisperer's voice, which has the effect of simulating the speaker whispering into the listener's ear if listened to using headphones.
See also
- Aspiration (phonetics)Aspiration (phonetics)In phonetics, aspiration is the strong burst of air that accompanies either the release or, in the case of preaspiration, the closure of some obstruents. To feel or see the difference between aspirated and unaspirated sounds, one can put a hand or a lit candle in front of one's mouth, and say pin ...
- Cocktail party effectCocktail party effectThe cocktail party effect describes the ability to focus one's listening attention on a single talker among a mixture of conversations and background noises, ignoring other conversations. The effect enables most people to talk in a noisy place...
- Creaky voiceCreaky voiceIn linguistics, creaky voice , is a special kind of phonation in which the arytenoid cartilages in the larynx are drawn together; as a result, the vocal folds are compressed rather tightly, becoming relatively slack and compact...
- Egressive speech vs. ingressive speech
- FalsettoFalsettoFalsetto is the vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the modal voice register and overlapping with it by approximately one octave. It is produced by the vibration of the ligamentous edges of the vocal folds, in whole or in part...
- Whispering galleryWhispering galleryA whispering gallery is a gallery beneath a dome, vault, or enclosed in a circular or elliptical area in which whispers can be heard clearly in other parts of the building....
- Other forms of unvoiced vocalization: gaspGaspGasp is a 2009 Chinese film directed by Zheng Zhong .-Cast:* John Savage* Liang Tian* Kelly Lin* Ge You* Wilson Chen* Liu Hua* Zhang Qiufang* Li Jing* Ji Lianhai...
ing, sighSighA sigh is a deep and especially audible, single exhalation of air out of the mouth or nose, that humans use to communicate emotion. It is voiced pharyngeal fricative, sometimes associated with a guttural glottal breath exuded in a low tone. It often arises from a negative emotion, such as dismay,...
ing, panting