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When I first started my business, I was showing my husband the 'before & after' video clips of my clients. A German-speaking Austrian, he was amazed at how much better he understood their words in the 'after' takes. What is fascinating is that I did not work with my clients on their diction - aside from nasality which is a subject unto itself - because I have found that with the right approach, your articulation will improve and be much more distinct once you find your true or 'real' voice. In order to discover the sound that is hiding inside of you, however, you must learn to breathe with the support of your diaphragm so that your chest cavity can become your primary source of power instead of relying on your throat and vocal folds (cords) to do all the work. It is, without a doubt, the breathing that makes all the difference for the dramatic changes that can occur. And, the reasons are two-fold: 1. You gain total control pver your voice as well as your speed. Often, one of the difficulties for those trying to understand unclear diction is that the speaker is talking too fast. By learning how to control your speed, your listeners will notice a tremendous improvement in your articulation. 2. In the process of discovering your true voice, you will be retraining your inner ear - which is how you hear yourself - to recognize your diction, your speech, and your voice more clearly. I am ever amazed when I hear the difference in my clients' 'Before & After' videos because of this tremendous control which they have gained. It is remarkable how quickly the change occurs and how much better their diction is. The ability to speak more distinctly is not just for those in which English is their 2nd language. I have heard people from the South, for example, whose drawl is not as heavy once they discover their real voice. There is nothing wrong with an accent or a dialect as long as your speech is understandable. In that sense, voice training is a form of accent reduction. If you want others to pay attention to you or to take you more seriously, they must first understand your message. Poor diction or articulation leaves your listeners questioning your abilities or talents because of the lack of communication on your part. You can speak more distinctly without getting rid of your or dialect. Find your true voice and your words will be understood the 1st time you say it. If you would like to see some dramatic 'before' & 'after' video clips, start with Craig by visiting Voice Dynamic and go to the center of the page. Then check out The Voice Lady's other video clips in the menu bar.
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