When we speak, our voice has the function of an air-conditioning unit. When it is too thin and flat, the atmosphere cools off. The door to the hearts of the audience closes like a creaking door in a haunted castle. It is recommended to avoid the following 7 speaking faults.

Our voice, its sound, its expressiveness are not inborn, but we learned it since we were little. We learn to speak by listening and also take over faulty speaking habits from the people in our lives in this way. It is useful to work on one's one voice because people attribute quite specific properties to the sound of a voice. "When you give somebody a new voice", says not only Professor Higgins in the musical 'My Fair Lady', "you give them a new character too".

The things your voice reveals
You can smile when you feel like crying; you can remain indifferent when someone provokes you. But as soon as you begin to speak, all self-control is of no use to you any more. Your voice reveals the spirits you are in and determines the effect you will have. First, we have to hear somebody speak. It is only then that we can form a complete impression of someone in our minds. The voice is part of somebody's complete personality. Not without good reason did Socrates say: "Speak in order that I may see you." It is recommended to avoid the following 7 speaking faults:

1. Articulation is negligent. Mumbling or swallowing final syllables (livin' instead of living) makes understanding more difficult.
2. Whispering of words. When you speak in a whispery voice, the audience perceives the flow of air, and it sounds "over-ventilated" and hoarse as a result.
3. The voice level is constantly sharp, it sounds squeaky. It is easier for people with a deeper voice to win other people's sympathies.
4. You speak in a voice that is too low. This "little-girl voice" can be interpreted as sense of insecurity on the speaker's part. When women speak like that, however, this often makes an impression of sexiness on men, however. So it may be suitable for landing yourself the man of your dreams, but not for really making yourself heard in a meeting.
5. Your way of speaking is monotonous. You do not raise and lower your voice, it has no dynamic force. The reason for that may be anxiety, indifference or tiredness.
6. The voice sounds solemn and pathetic. Your speech seems to have been learned by heart, as if you were not really behind your statement.
7. The voice sounds pinched, has too little resonance. Fear of speaking up is often hidden behind that.

Gerhard Reichel,
Institut für Rhetorik,
Goethestraße 1,
91301 Forchheim,
Phone: 0 91 91/8 95 01,
Fax: 0 91 91/28 01,
E-Mail reichel.seminare@t-online.de  
http://www.gerhardreichel.de.