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The Secret of the Human Voice: Do you know why each of us has a unique voice?
The human voice is the sound produced by the vocal tract and can include speaking, singing, laughing, crying, screaming, shouting, humming, or yelling. The frequency of the human voice refers specifically to the sound production process where the vocal cords (vocal folds) are the primary source of sound. The sound production mechanism involved in this process can usually be broken down into three parts: the lungs, the vocal cords in the larynx, and the organs of speech. The lungs act as a "pump" and must generate enough air flow and air pressure to make the vocal cords vibrate.
The vocal cords vibrate as air passes through them, creating audible pulses that are the source of sound in the throat.
These vocal muscles adjust the length and tension of the vocal cords to "fine-tune" the pitch and timbre of your voice. The organs of speech above the larynx (such as the tongue, palate, cheeks, lips, etc.) interpret and filter the sounds emitted from the larynx, and to some extent can also interact with the airflow in the larynx to enhance or weaken the sound source. . Thus, the vocal cords and articulators work together to give humans the ability to produce a complex array of sounds. Modulation of the voice can express emotions such as anger, surprise, fear, happiness or sadness.
Voice Types and Characteristics of Vocal Cords
The vocal cords of adult men and women are different sizes, reflecting the difference in the size of the male and female larynx. Men's voices are generally lower-pitched and their vocal cords are larger, ranging from 17 mm to 25 mm in length for men, while women's vocal cords range from 12.5 mm to 17.5 mm. This difference results in a difference in the pitch of male and female voices.
In addition, genetic influences also lead to variation within the same sex, which allows male and female singing voices to be classified as different types.
For example, among men there are many types of vocal ranges, such as bass, alto, baritone, tenor, etc., while among women there are types such as contralto, mezzo-soprano, etc. Men generally have larger vocal tracts, which makes their voices deeper.
Voice Regulation in Spoken Language
Human spoken language exploits the ability of almost all people in a given society to modulate their voices consistently. The most important parameters related to the pronunciation of speech are the pitch of the sound and the coaptation of the vocal cords (i.e., the proximity or separation of the vocal cords).
The ability of the vocal cords to change rapidly has a strong genetic component, as this regulation is closely related to life safety. Children are able to learn how to use this behavior when speaking at a very young age, although these movements occur in the larynx and are not easily observed.
Physiology and vocal characteristicsThe uniqueness of each person's voice stems not only from the shape and size of their individual vocal cords, but also from the size and shape of the rest of the body, particularly the shape of the vocal tract. The human vocal cords have the ability to relax, tighten, or change thickness, and can alter the pressure of the airflow. These factors all affect the pitch, volume, timbre or intonation of the voice.
Sounds resonate in different parts of the body, and an individual's body shape and bone structure can influence how sound is produced.
The impact of sound
Some studies suggest that the twelve-tone scale may have its roots in the evolution of the human voice. In the recorded speech samples, the energy peaks of the sounds coincided with the distances between notes in the twelve-tone scale, which led to thoughts about the relationship between sound and music.
Sound disorders
Many factors can affect the human voice, including speech disorders, growth and pathology of the vocal cords, etc. Improper use of the voice over a long period of time can cause vocal strain, which is stress placed on the speech mechanism. While an ENT specialist can help when vocal cords are damaged, the best treatment is to prevent injury through good voice production techniques.
ConclusionThe human voice is not only a tool for communication, but also a medium for expressing emotions and creating music. Everyone’s unique voice is as wonderful as everyone’s life story. Have you ever thought that these voices reflect our identity and culture?
