The word "whispering" is spelled as /ˈwɪspərɪŋ/ according to IPA phonetic transcription. The "wh" sound is a voiceless labiodental fricative, made by blowing air through the lips while keeping them slightly apart. The "i" sound is a short vowel pronounced with the tongue towards the front of the mouth. The "s" and "p" sounds are voiceless alveolar fricatives and voiceless bilabial plosives, respectively. The ending "-ing" is pronounced as /ɪŋ/, a nasal vowel with the consonant "ŋ" made by touching the back of the tongue against the soft palate.
Whispering refers to the act of speaking or communicating in a soft, hushed manner, with the intention of not being overheard by others or maintaining confidentiality. It involves producing speech sounds at a significantly lower volume and intensity compared to normal conversation, often using the breath rather than vocal cords to create sound.
Whispering is typically done in close proximity to the intended listener and may involve leaning in closely or cupping a hand near the mouth to prevent sound from carrying. It is employed in situations where privacy or secrecy is desired, such as sharing confidential information, gossiping, or expressing intimacy.
The key characteristic of whispering is its quietness, with the volume usually at a level where words are barely audible or indistinct. The act of whispering often lends an air of secrecy, mystery, and intimacy to conversations. As a form of non-verbal communication, it may also carry emotional nuances, such as tenderness, urgency, fear, or excitement depending on the context and tone.
Additionally, whispering is commonly used in storytelling, magic tricks, or performances to create an atmosphere of suspense or intrigue. It can also serve as a tool for communication in environments where silence is required, such as libraries, theaters, or religious settings.
Overall, whispering is a form of communication that relies on soft-spoken words, often in close proximity to the listener, and conveys privacy, secrecy, and emotional subtleties.
• Speaking to in low soft tones.
• The act of speaking in a low and scarcely audible tone; the telling of tales to excite suspicions.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "whispering" originated from the Old English word "hwisprian", which meant "to whisper, talk quietly, speak softly". This Old English term is believed to be derived from the Proto-Germanic word "hwisprijaną", which also meant "to whisper". The Proto-Germanic word was further formed from the combination of the prefix "hwis" (meaning "quietly") and the root "rijaną" (meaning "to incite, to move"). Thus, the etymology of "whispering" suggests a process of inciting or moving quietly, which accurately reflects the nature of speaking in a hushed tone.