- 14 Mar 2002
- 21,057
- 18,914
First-time visitors to Japan are often surprised or even startled by the high-pitched voices (some) Japanese women use in formal situations or on the phone.
Yamazaki Hiroko, a graduate of Kunitachi College of Music in Tokyo, furthered her studies in phonetics and psychology. As the representative director of a research institute, Yamazaki leads a team dedicated to exploring the intricate relationship between the voice, brain, and education. She took a closer look at female vocal patterns, which are among the highest-pitched globally:
High-pitched vocal patterns are observed in various contexts, including movies and news broadcasts, and are significantly different from the vocal tones of Western women. Experts argue that this distinctive high-pitched voice among Japanese women is not merely a personal choice but a reflection of societal expectations.
Yamazaki suggests it is a "product of society." She explains that while a typical adult woman of 160 centimetres should have a natural pitch of around 220-260 Hertz, many Japanese women speak at a much higher pitch of 300-350 Hertz or even higher, essentially falsetto. She asserts that societal expectations, particularly from men, have encouraged women to elevate their voices. High-pitched voices are often associated with small size, immaturity, and dependence. In Japan, women have been subconsciously conditioned to project an image of weakness and cuteness.
Yamazaki believes that a person's voice reveals their physical and emotional state, values, and life experiences. She even claims to be able to detect lies through vocal cues. Her research indicates that over 80% of Japanese people are dissatisfied with their voices. Yamazaki explains that using a false voice can be detrimental, as it can deceive others and oneself.
Yamazaki Hiroko, a graduate of Kunitachi College of Music in Tokyo, furthered her studies in phonetics and psychology. As the representative director of a research institute, Yamazaki leads a team dedicated to exploring the intricate relationship between the voice, brain, and education. She took a closer look at female vocal patterns, which are among the highest-pitched globally:
High-pitched vocal patterns are observed in various contexts, including movies and news broadcasts, and are significantly different from the vocal tones of Western women. Experts argue that this distinctive high-pitched voice among Japanese women is not merely a personal choice but a reflection of societal expectations.
Yamazaki suggests it is a "product of society." She explains that while a typical adult woman of 160 centimetres should have a natural pitch of around 220-260 Hertz, many Japanese women speak at a much higher pitch of 300-350 Hertz or even higher, essentially falsetto. She asserts that societal expectations, particularly from men, have encouraged women to elevate their voices. High-pitched voices are often associated with small size, immaturity, and dependence. In Japan, women have been subconsciously conditioned to project an image of weakness and cuteness.
Yamazaki believes that a person's voice reveals their physical and emotional state, values, and life experiences. She even claims to be able to detect lies through vocal cues. Her research indicates that over 80% of Japanese people are dissatisfied with their voices. Yamazaki explains that using a false voice can be detrimental, as it can deceive others and oneself.
