Breathy voice

Breathy voice is a type of phonation in which the vocal cords vibrate, but with a greater degree of airflow and less closure than in modal voice, which is the typical voice register used in normal speech. This results in a soft, whispery sound quality. Breathy voice is often contrasted with modal voice, creaky voice, and falsetto, which represent other forms of phonation.

Characteristics

Breathy voice is characterized by a significant amount of airflow through the glottis during phonation. This is due to the vocal folds being held loosely together, allowing air to escape. The sound produced has a distinctive soft and whisper-like quality. In terms of acoustic properties, breathy voice is marked by a high level of aspiration noise, a relatively low fundamental frequency, and a wide dynamic range.

Physiological Mechanism

The production of breathy voice involves a specific positioning of the vocal folds. Unlike modal voice, where the vocal folds are brought closely together, in breathy voice, the vocal folds are slightly apart. This configuration allows air to pass through the glottis more freely during phonation. The arytenoid cartilages, which control the opening and closing of the vocal folds, are positioned in such a way that the posterior end of the vocal folds remains slightly separated, leading to the characteristic breathy sound.

Usage

Breathy voice can be found in various languages as a phonemic or allophonic characteristic. In some languages, it is used to distinguish between words, serving a phonemic function. For example, in Hindi, breathy voiced consonants contrast with modal voiced and voiceless consonants, affecting word meaning. In other languages, breathy voice may be used for stylistic or expressive purposes, such as to convey tenderness, intimacy, or weakness.

Health Implications

While breathy voice can be a stylistic choice or a linguistic feature, persistent breathy voice may also indicate a voice disorder, such as vocal fold nodules, vocal fold paralysis, or other forms of vocal fold pathology. In such cases, the breathiness is usually involuntary and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as vocal fatigue, reduced vocal range, and discomfort during phonation. Individuals experiencing persistent changes in voice quality should consult a speech-language pathologist or an otolaryngologist for assessment and treatment.

See Also

• Voice register
• Glottal stop
• Voice therapy
• Speech production

External Links

• articles on breathy voice and vocal health - A collection of articles and studies on the characteristics, usage, and health implications of breathy voice.