We change our voice when we talk to high-status people, shows new study
Our voices also affect how people perceive our own social status.
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Articles on Speech
Displaying 1 - 20 of 33 articles
Why deaf people can have accents, too
People suffering hearing loss learn to speak through a combination of lip-reading and watching for visual clues.
Everyone’s talking but no-one’s listening: it’s time to reclaim the art of communication
We seem prepared to share our opinions on almost any subject today thanks to social media and other mass communication. But who is really listening?
Root causes of limp economic growth in South Africa are not being tackled
South Africa's Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan spoke of protecting the economy from predators. This is commendable but not enough to build an inclusive economy.
Do we swear too much?
With the taboo on swearing loosening over the past few decades, will profanity lose its effectiveness in spoken language?
Why ‘baby talk’ is good for your baby
People often tell new parents to avoid 'baby talk' because it will slow down the child's language development. But evidence shows it does the opposite.
Insults, offence and words that wound: why language needs to be handled with care
If we're serious about freedom of speech, we need a more open and respectful discussion about words that cause insult and offence.
Was Neil Armstrong misquoted? Study suggests his accent could’ve been to blame
New research has found that Neil Armstrong's strong midwestern accent is making it impossible for us to work out what he actually said when he first set foot on the moon.
In the wake of tragedy, Trump takes rhetoric of fear to a whole new level
Two experts in political rhetoric explain how one candidate has used rhetorical devices like framing and 'argumentum in terrorem' to stoke fear and attract voters since the Orlando nightclub shooting.
In loud rooms our brains ‘hear’ in a different way – new findings
Our heads are like radio receivers, and they can tune in to various different channels.
‘Working families’, ‘Tony’s tradies’ – what will this year’s budget soundbite be?
As a political speaker, either you pick your key phrases or they get picked for you.
Customer service on hold: we hate phone menus and don’t trust virtual assistants like Siri
Phone trees drive you mad? Just want to talk to an actual person? You aren't alone – despite the fact that most customer service journeys begin with automated interactive voice response systems.
Explainer: What do child prodigies have in common with kids with autism?
Saturday, April 2, is World Autism Day. Many individuals with extraordinary ability have been found to have autism. Researchers have now found that many child prodigies have an autistic relative.
New app helps people with neurological conditions practise speech
Researchers at CSIRO and University of Queensland have developed an app called Harlie that is designed to chat with humans.
Debunking common myths about raising bilingual children
Parents shouldn't be concerned if their bilingual child is slower to develop their vocabularly, because in most cases this is just a temporary lag.
Keep an eye on vocal fry – it’s all about power, status and gender
Much has been written about vocal fry in recent years, with the focus on what it is, where it comes from and what it means ... at least when it comes to females who fry. What's really going on here?
Mugabe takes the cake when it comes to gaffes – but he’s not alone
Robert Mugabe is no novice when it comes to reading wrong speeches. But he is in good company.
Recreating language’s Big Bang through a game of vocal charades
What can a bunch of people grunting in a lab teach us about our capacity to create language systems? A lot about the gesture- or vocalization-based origins of language.
How the parrot got its chat (and its dance moves)
Scientists have identified the brain region that makes it possible for parrots to speak.
Abu Hamza sentenced to life in prison after years of abusing the limits of free speech
Abu Hamza has been sentenced to life in a US prison, after being found guilty of 11 charges of terrorism and kidnapping. The ruling was handed down as events unfolded in France, once again putting his…
Top contributors
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Professor in Psychology, Royal Holloway
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Director of the University of Sydney Voice Research Laboratory, University of Sydney
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Director, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
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Associate Professor, College of Arts, Victoria University
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Senior Lecturer, Journalism Program Coordinator, The University of Queensland
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University of Maryland
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Senior Research Associate, Lancaster University
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Professor of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University
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Lecturer in Linguistics, Monash University
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Lecturer in English Language, University of Manchester
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Lecturer in Health Communication, University of Sydney
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Tutor and PhD Researcher, The University of Queensland
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Senior lecturer, Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle
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Anatomy & Physiology Lecturer, Charles Sturt University
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Assistant Professor, Emerging Media Studies, Boston University
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