Vocal fry is all over the news, being called everything from a vocal fad to a medical condition. But, some think it’s just old-fashioned sexism. It’s not the first time a vocal fad was the subject of controversy. Uptalk, was once the subject of much dispute, so-called valley girl talk swept the country in the mid-'90s and mirrored the recent hype surrounding vocal fry. What is vocal fry and why are people so up in arms about it? Here’s the skinny on the debate.
What Is Vocal Fry? Vocal fry is a specific sound quality caused by the movement of the vocal folds. While speaking, the vocal folds rapidly vibrate between a more open and more closed position as the air passes through. In vocal fry, the vocal folds are shortened and slack so they close together completely and pop back open, with a little jitter as the air comes through.
Uptalk Policing The same pattern took place in the early '90s with uptalk. While uptalk was often called “Valley Girl” and attributed to women, it was often ignored that the California surfer-style of speaking also included an upward lilt at the end of sentences.
Uptalk Uptalk or “high rising terminal pitch” is a way of speaking where declarative sentences end with a high pitch, Uptalk became popular in the mid 90’s and was often called “Valley Girl Talk,” because it seemed to originate in the Pacific Northwest.
What Is Vocal Fry? Vocal fry is a specific sound quality caused by the movement of the vocal folds. While speaking, the vocal folds rapidly vibrate between a more open and more closed position as the air passes through. In vocal fry, the vocal folds are shortened and slack so they close together completely and pop back open, with a little jitter as the air comes through.
Uptalk Policing The same pattern took place in the early '90s with uptalk. While uptalk was often called “Valley Girl” and attributed to women, it was often ignored that the California surfer-style of speaking also included an upward lilt at the end of sentences.
Uptalk Uptalk or “high rising terminal pitch” is a way of speaking where declarative sentences end with a high pitch, Uptalk became popular in the mid 90’s and was often called “Valley Girl Talk,” because it seemed to originate in the Pacific Northwest.
Anecdotal Vocal fry has also been referred to as “Kardashian Speak” but there’s no proof it’s a new thing. People’s voices naturally drop in pitch at the end of phrases, and in many speakers, if they’re voice goes low enough, it will fry.
Women Critics have claimed that vocal fry applies only to women but examples of vocal fry have been found in many men. Clips of male vocal fry have been pulled from the likes of Noam Chomsky and Ira Glass.
The Spread Now it seems vocal fry has spread to female speakers that are generally considered more dignified by the general published (at least compared to the average reality TV star. A recent NPR broadcast detailed the many letters NPR receives monthly from men complaining of vocal from female broadcasters.
" ThIs American Life" On an episode of NPR’s "This American Life," Ira Glass poured over the many letters from people complaining about vocal fry. He showed how his own voices often showed signs of vocal fry and then said the following, Listeners have always complained about young women reporting on our show. They used to complain about reporters using the word like and about up speak… but we don't get many emails like that anymore. People who don't like listening to young women on the radio have moved on to vocal fry.”
Policing On another NPR program, a female journalist told the story of how she wen to a vocal coach after being criticized for her vocal fry. Penny Eckert, a Stanford linguistic professor said, "People are busy policing women's language and nobody is policing older or younger men's language.”
Other Names Vocal fry has apparently exerted for some time, but it just recently got its official name. In the past it’s been referred to as, creaky voice, laryngealization, glottal fry, glottal scrape, click, pulse register and Strohbass,
Origins Vocal fry has been referenced in books since the middle of the 20th Century. It’s actually been used by singers and vocal coaches as a way to achieve a lower pitch for women, thought it’s not necessarily considered good for the vocal chords.
Who The blame for vocal fry has been attributed mainly to reality TV stars. Kim Kardashian and her sisters are most often the target of vocal fry hate. But, it can be seen across the reality TV spectrum.
Why Fry That popping, jittery effect gives it a sound that reminds people sizzling or frying sound.
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