0970 - Uptalk

2023.08.28 – 0970 - Uptalk

Uptalk[1]

Symptom: Most sentences end on a lower inflection than how they start, to give a signal that the end of the thought has been reached. Apart from sentences which end with a rising inflection. (“Do you agree?”). Uptalkers use a rising inflection no matter the sense of the sentence. It can give the impression that you are doubtful of what you are saying, or that you lack confidence or intelligence.

Prescription:

Again, if you are talking to an audience that speaks in this way then you are likely to connect with them if it also comes naturally to you. Otherwise, ending a sentence formally, on a down-tone, shows confidence. Episodes 190 and 315 look at the correct ‘question intonation’.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEfMwri22SM&feature=youtu.be and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdhJxAmUu3Y

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