Bella vox

3

Written on Friday, June 08, 2007 by Jessica

I don't like my voice. It has always been low -- often described as "sultry" -- but during pregnancy, my voice deepened further.

While pregnant, I attributed my lowered voice to pregnancy rhinitis -- a perpetual stuffy nose that lasts way longer than described in the article. I knew the rhinitis would eventually go away, and I expected that my voice would return to normal also.

I was wrong. I sound like a man. When people call the house, they mistake me for Baby's Daddy. A few of months ago I ordered a pizza, and the order taker asked, "And what's your name, sir?" I gave him my husband's name. I had no desire to explain, "Actually, I'm a ma'am."

Just now, I got off the phone with a client who said I sound like a man on the phone. He couldn't leave it at that, either. He had to repeat by adding, "On your cell phone you sound like an adult male."

I didn't mind it while I was pregnant because I expected the condition to go away. But now I know it'll never go away. My voice is permanently deeper than it used to be, and I permanently sound like a man.

"Lady sounds like a dude" doesn't have the same ring to it as, "Dude looks like a lady." I'm becoming really sensitive about the subject, too. Whenever someone mistakes me for a man, it's deflating. It ruins my day.

I've thought about doing audioblog posts, but I don't want anyone to hear my voice. I'm not sure why it bothers me so much, but it does. Once upon a time, I wouldn't have cared at all.

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3 Comments

  1. Anonymous |

    Hey Jessica, well, that guy was extremely rude! (the client you were on the phone with).

    Its interesting the things pregnancy can do to a woman via hormones.

    Sorry to sound stupid, but is there anything you can do about it? I saw this show on Sallie Jessie Raphael a long time ago with a voice coach who helped men who had girl voices and women who had deep voices.

    These days, things don't have to be "permanent".

    I am sure your voice doesn't sound as bad as Kathleen Turner's.

    Can you do a high pitched voice? If you can, I don't see why your voice shouldn't be trained into going higher when speaking.

    (((((HUGS))))

    Z. M-Aguilar

     
  2. Jessica |

    I don't think he was intentionally being rude. In fact, he seemed to begin to feel uncomfortable with his words as he was saying them.

    I can speak a little higher, but I sound nasally. In this case, I was attempting to project my voice to make sure he heard me. And thus my inner man came out.

    I can't scream. I never could. My voice won't go high enough.

    Maybe I'll post a clip of my voice and Kathleen Turner's for comparison. :)

     
  3. A little of this and that.... |

    Some people are just..well...basically idiots and I'm so sorry you had to go through that.

    You know, sultry voices are a hot commodity right now, as cliche as it sounds. I think it's hot!!!!

    (((HUG)))

     

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