Anybody talk like this?

[+ friendofsheila]

http://videos.ergobaby.com/en-us/5-2-the-ergobaby-original-infant-support-cushion/

 

Someone I know flips out when he hears women who talk like this. His eyes get big and I can almost see beads of sweat form on his upper lip when he discusses this mode of talking.

 

Anybody have a name for the way she talks? He's all ready to start a telethon or something to wipe this off the planet, and he needs a name for it.

[+ azdr0710]

yes, I hate that style of speaking, too....to me, it makes the chick sound dumb, goofy, insecure....and ending every sentence like a question is silly.....it's popular, apparently, especially at the local mall!....seems more popular with teen girls who don't want to sound too intelligent, or something....

 

yes, would like to know if it has a name, like "Valspeak" used to denote a valley girl....(this is actually a descendant of Valspeak, I think).....

 

and put me down for the first $10K donation at the telethon

[+ Hoover42]

It's called Upspeak. There was an interview on NPR last year with someone discussing the trend. The speaker believed that it was on the upswing (no pun intended) and that it usually had the effect of reducing an adult woman's credibility. I watch a lot of old films, and it is such a contrast to listen to women in those films (in their 20's and 30's) and compare them with modern day upspeaking women.

[Sparky12]

Oh I really hate that too! Hoover, thanks for letting us know what it's called.

 

There's something sort of similar I contend with here in Florida. A vast difference in how many of the local women speak compared with my native New York. It's not Upspeak, it's just that many of them speak in such a high pitched voice that it's almost ultrasonic. Usually customer service type jobs, like receptionists at doctor's offices or sales clerks. "How much is this shirt?" "Beep beep beep beep beep" is all that you hear. I feel like bringing my dog along to translate. It's like they all need some speech therapy to convince them to open their throats. I think it's a sexist thing; woman are "supposed to" sound like little girls forever.

[Guest socal30]

Usually I hear this in airplanes where they don't have videos. The air stewardess shows how to strap on the seat belts accompanied by a voice just like this from the speakers.

[+ friendofsheila]

Oh, thank you Hoover. My friend will be happy to know this malady has a name!

[Guest OCBeachbody]

LOL OMG it sounds like a Valley Girl on Anti-depressants.

 

For some reason, studies say females respond to that methodology of talk.

It is as they say "mommy" speech. Eck... well it is appropriate to the audience.

LOL for some of us techno savy guys, it would be a funny thing to re-do the voice in different types of speech patterns.... imagine if it was done in the way Vince does his sham-wow commercials....lol

[+ Hoover42]

Glad to help! :)

[+ friendofsheila]

Uh-oh. "Upspeak" seems only to cover the rising inflection at the end of her sentences. There's more to her, including the nasality, the clipped vowels, and gawd knows what else.

 

Dang, there's still not a name for it!