> If we assume that speakers have conscious control over both their words and manner of delivery
Whoa, whoa, back up. Why should we assume that? Some level of control, sure. Nowhere near absolute.
And yeah, I'm offended by anyone who tries to critique the way other people talk while at the same time going around talking the way they talk all willy-nilly without concern for who they might be annoying.
It's speech. Everyone has inner thoughts and feelings they want to express. If they're trying to communicate in good faith, just let it go.
I can't speak for OP, but you insist on reading it as a criticism, when it seems to me more of a question in the spirit of scientific inquiry - at what times does a user of the "vocal fry" consider it appropriate? In the linked interview with Zooey Deschanel, she's not using it with every word she speaks. So I think it's natural for someone unfamiliar with this speech pattern to wonder why it's used in some places and not others. Is that a verboten question?
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> If we assume that speakers have conscious control over both their words and manner of delivery
Whoa, whoa, back up. Why should we assume that? Some level of control, sure. Nowhere near absolute.
And yeah, I'm offended by anyone who tries to critique the way other people talk while at the same time going around talking the way they talk all willy-nilly without concern for who they might be annoying.
It's speech. Everyone has inner thoughts and feelings they want to express. If they're trying to communicate in good faith, just let it go.
I can't speak for OP, but you insist on reading it as a criticism, when it seems to me more of a question in the spirit of scientific inquiry - at what times does a user of the "vocal fry" consider it appropriate? In the linked interview with Zooey Deschanel, she's not using it with every word she speaks. So I think it's natural for someone unfamiliar with this speech pattern to wonder why it's used in some places and not others. Is that a verboten question?
If this:
> Vocal fry is just another manifestation of "I'm cool because I don't care."
is in the spirit of scientific inquiry and not a value judgment, then I probably need to get some fresh air.