Whispering

rubielyn_tenidor
 August 12, 2009, 07:41 AM posted in General Discussion

Just wondering how Mandarin speakers produce the tones when they are whispering. It seems impossible to me.

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changye
 August 12, 2009, 07:58 AM

Don't worry. They speak loud enough even when whispering.

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rubielyn_tenidor
 August 12, 2009, 08:04 AM

changye

When whispering properly, one doesn't use the voicebox at all. I don't think tones are possible without using the voicebox. Are you saying Chinese people never switch off their voicebox and whisper properly?

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changye
 August 12, 2009, 08:16 AM

Hi desluo929

I don't think tones are possible without using the voicebox.

Really? Did you try it yourself? I don't know whether I use a voicebox or not when whispering, but it seems to me that I can pronounce tones when whispering in Chinese.

P/S. Looks like my poor joke didn't work......hehe.

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helenshen_counselor
 August 12, 2009, 09:25 AM

Hey changye, lol! I admit that, even some of my friends speak loud when they are whispering, eg, they sometimes yell out "I'm not telling......".

Hi desluo, try again, and keep the voice as low as possible, no vocal cords vibration...that's whispering! But, to some extent, you're right! It's difficult to tell the tone when someone is whispering. (There sure is a context that we'll understand the whisper)