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Some people call it high rising terminal. But I call it uptalk. And I avoid it….
I have an important question for you: Do you uptalk? What I mean is: do you end every statement sounding as though you’ve just asked a question?
If you don’t know what uptalk is, have a look at this very funny video with actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jimmy Kimmel.
Teens uptalk, of course. (They’ll do anything to irritate their parents.) But a surprising number of women and some men uptalk — even in speeches and important presentations.
Researchers say that not all uptalk is wrong-headed. In fact, it sometimes serves a strategic purpose. For example, a speaker anticipating interruption from a listener, might use a rising tone at the end of a statement to hold off disruption.
But when you’re making a speech (or trying to sell something) you’re not going to be very convincing if every statement sounds like a question. It will make you sound younger, less experienced and perhaps even doubtful of your own message.
To determine whether you uptalk, I suggest you whip out your cellphone during your next conversation or presentation and record yourself. You’ll quickly learn whether this is a verbal tic you need to work on defeating.
If you do need to change your style, practise. Repeat each sentence with a downward inflection at the end. Monitor yourself while you’re talking. Record yourself. Keep practicing until speaking this way seems natural to you.
It’s not an easy problem to solve and there’s no quick fix. But if you’re aware of the habit — and willing to work at it a bit — you can break it. It just takes commitment.