Kate'sVoice

Vocal image is the synthesis of rhythm, pitch, tone, volume and the inflection of a voice.  Your vocal image sends a message separate from your words.  We all saw this in the campaigns this year whether we were aware of it or not.  The vocal image of the candidates had the power to contribute to or detract from their credibility.  Vocal image makes wordless statements about  character,emotional state, economic status, education, age gender and lots more.  If we define vocal image as “the overall picture that people get of you from the sound of your voice,” then what pictures were painted of the potential President?  What did we expect of each because of the vocal image they created?

In an article in the Cristian Science Monitor from July,  Ariel Sabar said this about the vocal images of the two final candidates for president:”McCain is the blunt-spoken platoon leader, briefing soldiers for battle.  Senator Obama is the evangelist,    calling out from the hilltop.  McCain levels.  Obama transcends.  McCain is straight talk,  Obama great talk.”

As much as the two men represent different ideas and ideals, they also create two very different images of a leader through their vocal images.  My sincere hope today is that our President-elect is a great leader, that he takes us all to new heights of glory as a nation and as a planet, that together we transcend these difficult times, and that his great talk will be much more than just talk!

When I did a Google search on Obama’s baritone, I got 19,600,000 results. Clearly, there is a lot of  interest in his voice as part of his success.  His prowess as a speaker is even accepted by the opposition. In fact, the latest research seems to indicate that, if the election results are determined by the two candidates’ oration skills, Obama will win, hands down.  This new study, published by the Vox Institute in Geneva, studied both candidates from the perspective of researchers on speech-communication and emotion-psychology.  The study revealed that even though Senator Obama seems to have a permanent look of anxiety on his face (and who wouldn’t if they were signing up for the job of President of the United States?!), McCain’s lack of emotion in both his face and his voice tell us that McCain is weaker than Obama. Add that to the general consensus that a rich, baritone voice is about the best one to have, and the study seems to suggest that we will be singing hail to Obama the chief!

In another study, researchers at Kent State  discovered in 2002 a component of speech that they said was a guaranteed predictor of success for presidential debates.  The study analyzed the voices of presidential candidates in debates since 1960.  They found an aspect of speech that they called a “hum,” in this case an ability to keep your voice steadfast.  You see, they found that people tend to alter their delivery style when they are unsure of themselves, or when they perceive the other speaker(s) as having more authority.  Those candidates in the debates who kept their voices steadfast always won the most votes.

So what does this mean to the voter?  Clearly, it confirms that the voice is a powerful tool and being a good communicator is important and that a great orator has the ability to sway us just with the sound of his or her voice.  Therefore,  before going to the polls, we have to be sure to look beyond a candidates’ voice and hear what they are actually saying.  What is their intention, besides winning?  Do their words, plans and promises align with their intention?  THEN we can evaluate whether or not both align with the sound of their voice and their delivery style, and with our own values and beliefs.

Now, I have a confession.  I may not pay attention to my own advice, as I am biased.  I think it would be wonderful to be represented on the world stage by someone with a beautiful voice again!!