Vocalics

Vocalics refers to anything that that is spoken and heard except for words.

Vocalics includes:

  • Tone and pitch (how the voice sounds)
  • Saying something with a different tone or pitch can change the meaning of what is said. A soft tone communicates friendliness and openness, while a harsh tone communicates dominance and anger. A low-pitched voice is usually associated with strength and maturity. A higher pitched voice is usually associated with nervousness and helplessness.

  • Volume (how loud the voice is)
  • Loud speakers are often seen as aggressive and overbearing. Quiet speakers are usually seen as polite or afraid. Raised volume can also be used as a sign of importance, lowered volume as a sign of closeness or intimacy.

  • Speed (how fast someone is talking)
  • Rate of speed in talking can often indicate how much a person knows about a subject. If a person is talking fast they often are very knowledgeable on their topic. Likewise, a person who speaks slowly may not be well informed. Rate of speech also varies in people while speaking in front of large groups. A person who talks quickly is usually nervous. Someone who speaks slowly and clearly is probably very comfortable being in front of other people.

  • Characterizations (laughing, crying, moaning)
  • Usually represent the emotions that the speaker is feeling. Laughing means they're happy, crying indicates sadness, ect.

  • Fillers ("uh-uh", "uh-huh", "um")
  • Usually used when a speaker is nervous or isn't informed on their topic.