What does our tone of voice communicate?

The interpretation of spoken language depends not only on what we say, but how we say it. Next, we focus on tone of voice and everything it can convey.

Tone of voice is one of the elements with the greatest influence on communication of how many exist. In such a tone there are a series of sound parameters that give meaning, conscious and unconscious, to the message that is being transmitted. Some of them are: timbre, intensity of sound, speed of diction, clarity, projection, etc.

Several people can say exactly the same phrase. However, The tone of voice that each one uses communicates psychological information different. It is then when it is discovered that words have verbal and non-verbal content. The non-verbal sphere is less controllable and, therefore, more authentic.

“60% of human communication is non-verbal: body language. 30% is your tone of voice. That means 90% of what you’re saying isn’t coming from your mouth.”.

-Hitch-

You can tell a lot about a person’s condition by examining their tone of voice.. Even when someone speaks in another language that we do not know, we would be able to outline something about their way of being and feeling just by listening to how they speak. Below we give you some ideas to interpret what a person’s tone of voice tells us.

Tone of voice and perception

The Laboratory for Instrumental Analysis of Communication on speech and imagery, at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, has found relationships between voice and perception. Their conclusions are curious and interesting. Let’s see:

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The deep tone of voice suggests maturity and generates confidence in the others. It is the most used in advertising. If the tone of voice is extremely serious, it refers to somber sensations. A firm and confident voice makes us think that the speaker is someone distinguished and important.Speaking in a low tone of voice suggests that the person has great weaknesses or who is clumsyThose who use a very high-pitched tone of voice convey low credibility

The voice is such a personal pattern that it is currently used to verify identity and give access to many computer systems. It also serves as evidence in a trial. Its reliability is as great, or more, than that of a fingerprint.

Other interesting facts

Some psychologists have taken the trouble to identify the hidden meanings in voice management.. The result is a whole catalog of interpretations for those subtleties, those that often go unnoticed by most of us. Let’s see.

Breathing

The way to breathe while talking It gives an idea of the pace at which one lives:

Calm: someone balanced speaks. Deep and constant: energy and dynamism. Deep, constant and strong: repressed anger. Superficial: lack of realism. Short and quick: anxiety, anguish.

Intensity or volume

Defines generally How a person interacts with themselves and others:

Normal: self-control and listening skills. High: weakness, selfishness and lack of patience. Low: inexperience and repression.

Articulation or vocalization

The vocalization It has to do with the ability to understand and the interest in being understood:

Well defined: mental clarity, openness to communication. Imprecise: deception or mental confusion. Very marked: narcissism, tension. With obstacles: aggressiveness, repression.

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Speed

Talk about emotional time in which the speaker is immersed:

Slow: lack of interest, disconnection from the world. Fast: tension, desire to hide information. Regular: containment, repression, lack of naturalness. Irregular: confusion, anxiety, breakdown of communication.

The voice and interpersonal relationships

The tone of voice leaves a mark on the way a person communicates with the world.. Although his interlocutor is not an expert on the subject, he unconsciously receives a series of messages through the other’s voice. These messages shape the image he has of the other person.

The tone of your voice also communicates the kind of relationship you want to have with someone.. For example, if it is cold and sharp, it imposes distances. On the other hand, if it is warm and whispering, it invites closeness.

It is important to clarify that a person’s tone of voice is not always the same. However, there are some elements that remain present. It is precisely these constant patterns that give us the key to someone’s personality or their state of mind.

A good self-knowledge exercise is to record ourselves in different situations and then listen to those hidden notes in the tone of our voice. As it is a communicative and interrelation tool, It is an instrument worth learning to use..