vocal inflection

Tone of speech

Vocal inflection is variation in pitch, tone, or emphasis when speaking.

Rising inflection turns statements into questions.

Falling inflection signals finality.

Skilled speakers use inflection to convey emotion, hold attention, or signal irony: His vocal inflection made it clear he was joking.

Flat or monotone delivery lacks inflection.

Also called simply inflection.

Related

sarcasm · uptalk · valley girl · resonance · accent · speech pattern · cadence · shout · lilt · register · stress · hesitation · enunciation · timbre · whisper · sneer · mumble · mutter

Categories
Opposites
tonal variation

vocal inflectionmonotone

Single unvarying pitch

flat tone · monotony · droning · flatness · flat affect

Family

voice, vocal, inflection, inflect, inflectional

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