UGLY VOICES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 234, 4 October 1927, Page 9

UGLY VOICES.

FAULTS TO BE AVOIDED. THE ART OF ELOCUTION". '"Ugly voices seem to me to be much more prevalent than ugly faces." This was the declaration of Mr. Alexander "Watson, the famous elocutionist, in his address to Auckland Rotarians to-day. Following this theme through, Mr. Watson said that in relation to whatever defects nature may have saddled us with in regard to looks, we spend a fair amount of our time in front of mirrors and in efforts to mal- e ourselves presentable in appearance. Unfortunately the person with an unattractive voice did not give the matter similar attention, but he felt justified in pointing out that even from the commercial aspect the subject was of great import. Certainly a salesman who was the possessor of a gracious voice had a big advantage in endeavouring to make a sale as compared with a competitor whose voice was harsh and repellent. He had noticed in London recently that classes had been formed to improve the voice production of prospective salesmen, and this was a movement which he thought would grow. He thought that the development of wireless communication would tend to emphasise t~ necessity for improved vocal enunciation, as imperfections were exaggerated through the loud speaker.

Elocution properly applied should be an admirable adjunct to anyone, not only in public utterance but also in private conversation. It was a fallacy to think that this should embody anything stilted or artificial. Elocution should mean the cultivation of the speaking voice, so that the speaker could pitch his voice to suit his audience, and also of articulation, so that each word should be properly heard. This having been attained the individual should give his own natural expression to his words. Unfortunately it had been the practice of teachers of elocution to concentrate upon expression, with the result that students became mere imitators of their teachers.

Children s voices, he said, were almost invariably very beautiful. It was only as the child grew up that peculiarities came in, which brought discordances. The principles which should guide public speaking were interestingly related, and Mr. "Watson interpolated his address with a number of humorous anecdotes.

At the conclusion a hearty vote of thanks, moved by Rotarian Barry Conev, was carried by acclamation.