I have a client in her late 50s/early 60s who talks like this. She's a little odd in general (I've posted about this elsewhere but made us talk to her cat on the phone) and the voice just adds to her weirdness. It's high-pitched, breathy, and little girlish. She's really, really nice though.

Anonymous wrote:Yes. I know a 50something who is like this all the time, and somehow when she talks to men it gets a hundred times more exaggerated. I want to scream and run from the room it makes me uncomfortable and is so bizarre.

My sister said this is a sign of childhood sexual trauma. I have no idea if that is true.

+1

It is, unfortunately.

Yes I know someone who speaks this way too. She is almost 40 but looks younger, and the voice sound very very young like a child. Odd!

Yes. I know a 50something who is like this all the time, and somehow when she talks to men it gets a hundred times more exaggerated. I want to scream and run from the room it makes me uncomfortable and is so bizarre.

My sister said this is a sign of childhood sexual trauma. I have no idea if that is true.

Maybe anxiety (social stress) and resulting tightened vocal cords are contributing.

It's not just the high pitch. It's something forced as girly.

Here is a video from extreme guide to parenting. The nomadic mom talks like this. Interestingly, this clip isn't as bad, because she's talking with her close friend in most of it. When she talks to the camera, it's more little girlish. That makes me think there is a social anxiety component to it.

http://www.bravotv.com/extreme-guide-to-parenting/season-1/videos/there-s-no-place-like-home

Anonymous wrote:I have a high pitched, heady voice and I hate it. I assure you that it is not intentional. I HATE that I sound like a little girl. It's especially bad on the phone. I've had callers ask me if my mommy or daddy is home. I believe it's hirt my career, as I'm perceived as a lightweight or unassertive (I am neither). I've considered getting surgery to deepen my voice.

I have a high pitched nasal "girlish" voice too. I took voice lessons in college, for singing, and the practice at combining the head and chest voice also deepened my speaking voice. My voice instructor said she also gave voice lessons that were only for speaking. It's something to explore, if you're that bothered by it.

The actress Glenn Headly also has a voice like this. So does Julie Hagerty. It's annoying.

*HURT

I have a high pitched, heady voice and I hate it. I assure you that it is not intentional. I HATE that I sound like a little girl. It's especially bad on the phone. I've had callers ask me if my mommy or daddy is home. I believe it's hirt my career, as I'm perceived as a lightweight or unassertive (I am neither). I've considered getting surgery to deepen my voice.

Anonymous wrote:You mean the pitch or the tone and articulation?

I don't mean baby talk. Not like saying "I wuv you schmoopy." They speak in a higher pitch that seems unnatural and forced, but it is their regular voice. The women I've known that speak like this speak that way all the time (unless they don't behind closed doors or in certain situations, which is my question). It's a more nasal, heady voice.

I know someone whose pitch is like that. At first it was weird but you get used to it.

You mean the pitch or the tone and articulation?

Quiverfull

What's up with this? I'm actually fascinated by it and genuinely curious. Do they talk like this 24/7? Even when they're mad, or yelling at their spouse or kids? Did they flow from childhood to adulthood with this voice? Did they switch to speaking this way at some point in adulthood? Is it rooted in some sort of social anxiety or emotional issue? Can they help it?

Does anyone know someone well that speaks like this? Can you please enlighten me?

A famous example would be Jennifer Tilly, but I assume her voice is affected and theatrical to some extent. I know a couple of women in real life that talk this way, but not well enough or long enough to know the answers.