Britannica Sources used in this answer

How is whispering different from ordinary voiced speech?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Uncover the science behind the transformation of sounds into speech — speech Speech is the faculty of producing articulated sounds, which, when blended together, form language.

The primary difference between whispering and ordinary voiced speech lies in the state of the vocal cords and the resulting production of sound.

In ordinary speech, the vocal cords are held taut, allowing them to vibrate as air passes through the larynx. This vibration creates what is technically known as voice, which serves as the foundation for singing, intonation, and tone distinctions.1

In contrast, whispering is speech in which voice is completely excluded. During a whisper, the vocal cords are held rigid, which prevents the vibration necessary for normal voiced sounds. While voiceless sounds are produced as they would be in ordinary speech, voiced sounds—such as vowels—are instead produced by forcing air through a narrow glottal opening formed by holding the vocal cords rigid and close together. This specific configuration of the glottis is sometimes referred to as the whisper glottis.123