Monday, August 04, 2008

say what?

I have discovered that I slur my speech. Whenever I hear a recording of my voice, say, when I'm reviewing a voicemail just because, I can't understand myself. "what? huh? muh??" Everyone dislikes the sound of their own voice but I don't know what I'm saying. And I really don't know how others can understand me. I am appalled by it and work to enunciate. I practiced this when I taught an ESL class but I have probably slipped back into my old ways. Ugh.

Aren't voices interesting? This is something that we just get and we have to make do with whatever it is. Some people have a deep raspy voice. Some people have a high squeaky voice. Some people's voices are, let's face it, a bit harsh & abrasive. Some are nasal, etc etc. My voice? Well, I am very soft-spoken and my voice is kind of wussy, frankly. It has always bothered me. I wish I had a loud commanding voice but I just don't. I can't win in a loud room. I have to try very hard just to emit enough noise to let someone know i may be talking.

In a couple of days I will be attending a girls camp. Basically I am in charge and I worry about trying to get my voice out so people can hear me. What do you recommend? A megaphone? A karaoke machine? and I can carry it around with me wherever I go? That would be super cool. Maybe I should learn sign language and teach it to everyone. I know the alphabet. How hard can it be? Maybe I'll just use my hands a lot and basically make it a big long game of charades. "Camp Director Jen is trying to make an announcement! What could it possibly be? Ok, 37 words... first word..." See, it'll be another camp game. (I'm going to refer to myself as "Camp Director" as long as I can. I have earned it. I think i should make all people call me that.)

Anyway, what am i even talking about? Ok, so my voice. One good thing is that people have said that it is sort of soothing, so that is nice. And I sound a lot like my sister which I also enjoy.

7 comments:

MelBroek said...

Camp director, eh? I vote you go for, "Camp Dictator" that would be much more entertaining, and probably more efficient.

Rob said...

I am unable to give you advice on getting your voice heard. I have discovered I am incapable of speaking loudly without sounding angry, and that's probably not what you're going for. But if you have a megaphone available you could have some fun with that.

)en said...

I think a megaphone = fun, always. It's the first rule of a megaphone. And I think someone is bringing one. WOOT. I think i'll use it all the time. not just to make announcements but in regular conversation as well.

Camp Dictator--I like it. More entertaining, efficient and probably more accurate let's face it.

Trevor said...

Awww....

(Wait, you're referring to me, right? And not "the other one"? :D J/K Steph.)

Also, I'd like to point out how I also have a hard time making my voice loud. Trevor says I am completely incapable of doing so and that when I try, my voice gets all froggy. Nice.

Trevor said...

That last comment was from Ash, by the way. And so is this one. Man, it's hard not being yourself.

Joel said...

There's no better way to get someone's attention than to fire a gun in the air. And judging by where you live, I can't believe it would be that hard to get ahold of one.

Natalie R. said...

Good luck with the megaphone! As far as slurring speech goes, I totally understand. Once I left a message for the Stake Secretary and he called back and said, "Um, someone from this phone number left me a message, but all I could understand was the number." Oh well...