Breathy voice is a vocal sound produced by a partial closure of the vocal cords enabling additional air to escape. The phonetic transcription for breathy voice is /ˈbrɛθi/ /vɔɪs/. The "b" is pronounced as in "bat," the "r" sounds like "rr", the "e" sounds like the "e" in "bed," the "th" sounds like in "thin," the "y" sounds like the "ee" in "beet," the "v" sounds like "v" in "violet," the "oi" sounds like "oy" in "boy," and the "s" sounds like a plain "s."
Breathy voice refers to a vocal quality characterized by the production of audibly noticeable amounts of air during phonation. It is a peculiar voice production technique where the vocal folds are not fully adducted or tightly closed, resulting in an increased airflow passing through the glottis. This creates a distinctive sound characterized by an audible exhalation and a soft, airy tone that lacks clarity and vocal crispness.
When producing breathy voice, the vocal folds do not come into close approximation, causing a gap through which air escapes during the production of speech sounds. This incomplete closure of the vocal folds leads to a reduced energy transfer from the lungs to the vocal cords, resulting in a diminished intensity and sonority of the voice.
Breathy voice can occur due to various reasons, such as vocal cord paralysis, vocal fold weakness, or poor vocal control. It can also be a stylistic choice adopted by singers or actors to convey certain emotional qualities in their performance. However, excessive breathiness in the voice can negatively impact vocal efficiency and can cause vocal strain, fatigue, and hoarseness.
Speech and vocal therapists often work with individuals experiencing breathy voice to help improve vocal cord closure, enhance vocal cord coordination, strengthen the vocal folds, and promote optimal voice production techniques. Training in proper breath support, vocal exercises, and techniques to reduce excess air leakage can be utilized in the therapy process to develop a more balanced and healthy voice.
The term "breathy voice" refers to a vocal quality characterized by the audible presence of breath in speech or singing. However, it is important to note that "breathy voice" is not an etymology of a word, but rather a description of a vocal sound. "Breathy" refers to the audibility of breath, while "voice" simply denotes vocal sounds produced by humans. The term itself does not possess an etymology as it is a descriptive phrase rather than a word with a specific origin.