Kate's Voice

Recently, I read a post on a blog about the sound of Palin’s voice.  The blogger described her voice as sounding like “Minnie Mouse.” (It’s posted by Disgustedwithrepublicans on  McCainSucks.“)  This to me is a great example of what I discussed earlier in the year regarding the sound of voices and politics. The sound of a politician’s voice does matter more than we might think!

However, I want to comment a bit further on this.  You see, I think that as women vie for the most powerful offices in the country,  they also have to deal with the fact that to most ears, a woman’s voice does not sound as powerful as a man’s.  And I don’t think we want to admit that.  Therefore, what many women in politics try to do is to lower their voices, or make them more monotone.  This in fact, only makes them sound like a woman trying to sound like a man (though this is NOT the case with Sarah Palin).  Instead, women politicians need to find the strength in their own natural voices.  (And yes, they probably need voice coaches to do that…Hillary, I’d be happy to help!) Then, we as the voters and public, need to get used to hearing women speak in politics and accept that the world has changed and women are going to run the country one day, whether we like the way they sound or not.

Just for grins, the next time you listen to the candidates debating, count the “ums” and other filler words used by each (you may have to watch the debates on You Tube later if you want to actually pay attention to what they say).  Filler words are such phrases as “you know,” and words such as “um,” “er” and even “like.”  They are usually used when someone is uncomfortable with the silence, therefore they fill it…hence the term “filler words.”  They are generally unnecessary and a sure sign of nerves or unconscious speech patterns.  They tend to detract from what is being said, and public speakers generally try to avoid them.  How do they do this?  Mostly, they do this through conscious awareness of them and training themselves to be quiet rather than use a filler word.  But I’d be curious to know: How do YOU avoid using filler words?