Bella vox
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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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
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. :)
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)))