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intonation to ask a question. The higher register appeases the request for information and is
often accompanied by diffident palm-up gestures and by submissive shoulder-shrugs (Givens,

1999).

There are various things that can vary and also affect our perception of tone of voice.
They include:

 Increasing loudness or softness (of a syllable, word phrase or sentence).
 Raised or lowered pitch can convey things like fear, anxiety, or tension, or
designate a question.

 Raspiness due to muscular tensions in the larynx when someone speaks.
 Tempo can be increased or decreased. Speaking quickly tends to communicate
urgency or a high emotional state. Slow tempos give the impression of

uncertainty.

3.6.1.3. VOCALIZATION

This factor takes into account three elements: characterizers, qualifiers and vocal
segregates. Characterizers are emotions that are expressed while speaking. Examples are
smiling, frowning or yawning.

A voice qualifier refers to the style of delivering a message. Vocal segregates are like
fillers or short sounds such as ok, all right, hmm, oh, and uh. They inform a speaker that a
listener is listening. Vocal differentiators are specialized vocal sounds that communicate a wide

gamut of messages. Some vocal differentiators are given in the table below.

Yawning Snoring Sharp exhaling
Laughing Yelling Sharp inhaling

Crying Clearing the throat Spitting
Sucking Coughing Hissing

Giggling Sneezing Moaning
Whispering Hiccoughing Groaning
Sniffing Sighing Slurping

Swallowing Gurgling

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