Week 1

The Importance of Voice

Our voice is a vital element of effective communication. The word ‘voice’ can refer to the sound that is projected from our mouths or can also refer to the way we express ourselves through words. The way we choose to express and deliver our voice can influence how these messages are received.

This week’s task has us assessing the voice of Julia Gillard; Australia’s first female Prime Minister.

Reflecting on the famous speech (2012) she delivered, in which she labelled Tony Abbott a misogynist, I feel Ms Gillard’s voice is firm and appropriately passionate. She expresses herself in an assertive and intelligible manner and her message was not lost in the delivery.

In my opinion, both the content and the delivery of the speech (in this instance) aligned with her vocal performance.

From memory though, this was not always the case. I recall feeling that the tone of her voice was nasally and course at times. Perhaps her passion behind the content of her ‘misogyny’ speech worked in her favour?

It’s possible that over time the public criticism and focus on her voice, may have caused her to become overly conscience and concerned with her vocal performance. The vocal performance on some more mundane topics weren’t as pleasurable on the ear. Her voice could become drawn out and her words became monotonous and hard to listen to.

I’m not the first to surmise that her confidence (or lack of it) may have affected her voice at times during her career. The Sydney Morning Herald (2011) article suggests that the pressure she was under was evident in her strained speech. Her voice was said to be grating on the Australian public and was described as the ”Gillard twang” (2011).

Although ‘grating’ at times, Julia Gillard’s voice was strong and for the most part projected confidence and authority. Voice qualities which would seem essential for Australia’s first female Prime Minister.

Our workbook activities this week also asks us to upload a News Script and critique our own voice. This was a challenge. I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling completely uncomfortable with hearing my own voice played back. Although not to be compared to the scale of Julia Gillard’s critique, I too have had many negative comments on my voice. I even had someone ask me once “Is your Mummy there”? Slightly disconcerting. None the less, I’m all for learning and growing and gave this challenge a red hot go.

Yes, my voice does sound childlike – I have to admit. I rush through some parts, stumbled through other – all in hopes it could be over. My voice isn’t assertive or authoritative. The pitch is high and as such – highly irritating. Perhaps it’s a voice for reciting lullabies?

In any case I don’t think that I’ll be making a News Anchor any time soon but I’m hoping that you could give me some feedback. What do you think I can work on? Looking forward to hearing from you all.

References

ABC News. (2012, October 8). Julia Gillard’s ‘misogyny speech’ in full. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihd7ofrwQX0

Frenkel, G. (2011, April 21). Drop the Gillard twang: it’s beginning to annoy. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved from https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/drop-the-gillard-twang-its-beginning-to-annoy-20110420-1dosf.html