My alternative to finding a female voice

[IMJenn]

For a short while I have attempted to make my voice female, or at least sound like it. I have not had much success, I guess my voice control is not very good, so my girlfriend and I have come to another idea.

We have both been interested in learning sign language, so it is something we've begun taking up. So when out en femme, I will not speak, but instead use signs. I wouldn't pretend to be deaf, just mute.

What are your thoughts on this, anyone try it?

[karmatic1110]

Learning sign language was FAR harder (I couldn't wrap my brain around it) than voice for me. I have a voice video, but I don't know if it would be appropriate to post it here as I don't want to give the impression I am soliciting.

Voice simply takes a bit of practice and the right way of explaining it. You are capable.

[Miranda09]

You know, I've thinking along those same lines. Haven't done much with voice practice, but as a good backup to not talking, sign language seems like it would be a great idea.

[Deborah Jane]

Try making your accent sound eastern European, from what i've noticed they seem to have deeper voices quite often.

Unless there are a lot of other c/ders round my way doing that already :doh:

[JulieC]

Try making your accent sound eastern European, from what i've noticed they seem to have deeper voices quite often.

Unless there are a lot of other c/ders round my way doing that already :doh:

Friend 1: "That person was a crossdresser, right?"
Friend 2: "I think so.
Friend 1: "Huh. What did you think?"
Friend 2: "I don't know. It seems odd to me that so many crossdressers are from Bulgaria!"

[cindym5_04]

Either grab an accent or talk in more of a whisper. I think faking that you're mute is a little on the offensive side.

[kristinacd55]

Had a good you tube video that really is a great help for fem voices. A lot of it is in the manner that you speak. Been trying to find the link since I put it on here awhile ago!

[pamela_a]

It's an interesting idea, but I love to talk too much. I don't think my hands could take it so I'll just keep working on my voice.

-Paula-

[Persephone]

Learning sign language is something good in general, but it will limit your conversations to those who sign. In addition to the potential ethics issue that Cindy raised, you will attract more attention to yourself. And, of course, with that attention you'll have to make sure your hands look lovely. (Excuse for a manicure?)

I have a terribly masculine voice and haven't really developed a good feminine one, but have figured a couple of things out:

1) Since women are accustomed to looking directly at each other in conversation, they can usually lip read the basics - So if you mouth the words "Thank you" or "Cute necklace" (smile, mouth, and gesture towards your own throat) to another woman, she'll "hear" you even if you don't speak. Waitresses can usually take your order this way, for example, as long as you maintain perfect eye contact. Means you can usually get through those situations with a whisper.

2) If most people have already ID'd you as a woman, meaning that if most all of your other signs - clothes, face, body language - are feminine, and if you speak softly and with the best voice you can do, then they will usually accept you as "a woman with a deep voice." Their brain simply won't scream "It's a guy in a dress!"

[Deedee Dupree]

That's a facinating Idea. Is that anything like "Speaking Italian"<laugh>

All kidding aside, although I can't sign well I purchased a book on the subject and watched some TV (as in vision) programs with a simultaneous translations. Some signers gestures are beautiful. Ooh, I'll add I am an advocate for disability rights.

OTOH, Eventually you will develop a fem voice if you work at it long enough or you will come to the conclusion it doesn't matter if you use your regular voice.

If you have the knack and would like to learn a new language, you can learn inflections as you go along and that would be time effective. But you might have to move to another country if you want to be understood. Catch 22.

Singing may help...., falsetto, getting your vocal cords loosened up a bit.

Just off the top.. dd

[Miranda09]

Either grab an accent or talk in more of a whisper. I think faking that you're mute is a little on the offensive side.

I don't think it's offensive. It's no different than any other language.

[Margot]

A very interesting solution. I don't think it's offensive either. It will come in usefull should you have or acquire deaf friends.
:hugs:
Margot

[Starling]

I disagree that there's an ethical problem with using sign language--unless you're trying to trick a blind person. I think deaf folks who use sign language wouldn't mind if its use became more popular, for whatever reason. I remember girls in my high school using signs the way kids today use texting in class. That's obviously not the highest and best use of sign language, but they weren't mocking the deaf, and I don't think Jenn intends to mock them, either. In fact, she'd be doing a great public service if she learned ASL well enough to become an interpreter.

:) Lallie

PS: Okay, I took so long to compose my stupid post that I was scooped twice, and much more succinctly, too. Fah!

[Erica K.]

Learning sign is sooooo much harder than getting your female voice, it was for me anyway. I practice my female voice by imitating songs, female dialogue in movies, my gg friends, etc. I've always been good at vocal impersonations though. Signing gets very easy to retain your knowlege & recieving skills once you fully understand that it isn't a vocal language translated to hand gestures.

Best of luck :)
erica

[Deedee Dupree]

Nah, Not offensive to me, learn & deveolp a new skill. It may not be entirely self-serving. You will be able to speak with someone who is disabled and you may learn something new. dd

[Sally24]

You could expand on this idea too. If you have a prominant adams apple, cover it with a pretty wrap and "say" that you've had an operation on your throat.

[EllenCD]

Have you tried Hypnosis to develop a female voice? There are several good sites on the net that have free D/Ls of voice alteration. Google "Female voice change".

[TxKimberly]

For a short while I have attempted to make my voice female, or at least sound like it. I have not had much success, I guess my voice control is not very good, so my girlfriend and I have come to another idea.

We have both been interested in learning sign language, so it is something we've begun taking up. So when out en femme, I will not speak, but instead use signs. I wouldn't pretend to be deaf, just mute.

What are your thoughts on this, anyone try it?

Honestly? I think it's silly. Just speak to people, they really don't care. And for your plan to work, isn't it based on the assumption that those you deal with will be able to read your sign language?

[kristinacd55]

Ha! Found it. Wasn't you tube but video jug, here's the link. Iwas on videojug.com looking at makeup tips yesterday, and there's a real humourous one that's really great! check it out http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-act-like-a-woman it actually says "how to act like a woman" but has the voice part too

[Jessica Who]

That's a very interesting idea. Good luck with it

[Nicole Erin]

That is sad, you will take the time to learn sign language but not learn to alter your voice? :brolleyes:

[TSchapes]

I don't think you have to have a perfect feminine voice. As long as you don't talk in your chest and more through the facial mask it will not be as jarring.

I'm clocked the second I stand up or get out of my car. At 6'4" it's a dead giveaway.

-Tracy

[Cari]

Until my manicure skills improve Ill just stick to speaking.
If I got really worked up there could be fake nails flying everywhere:)

I dont think using sign language would be offensive
however I wonder if would actually draw more attention.

Its not something you see everyday.

In my case besides being manicure challenged I also have rather large hands for a gal. So I try to keep my gestures feminine but understated.

Its an interesting idea; worth some thought.

Cari

[linnea]

Pretty cool idea. I might learn to sign.

[Miranda09]

I don't think you have to have a perfect feminine voice. As long as you don't talk in your chest and more through the facial mask it will not be as jarring.

I'm clocked the second I stand up or get out of my car. At 6'4" it's a dead giveaway.

-Tracy

Nah Tracy...just think of yourself as an Amazon......At 6'1" I can certainly relate to that, especially if I have my 3" heels on. :D

[Alice Torn]

TShapes, I hear you, as, I am six foot six, drive a 33 year old car, have huge hands, guy voice. Only from a distance. A foreign accent helps some, though. Hands too huge, for signing.

[IMJenn]

Learning sign language is something good in general, but it will limit your conversations to those who sign.

Well, I never go out en femme unless my girlfriend is with me, and she is learning sign as well, so she would interpert for me to others, like a waitress or such.

I don't intend to offend anyone, and learning languages has always been easy for me, which is possibly why this is easier than altering my voice (which I haven't completely given up either). I can speak both English and Spanish, I'm working on Korean, and with sign language my avenues of teaching (I teach karate) will be more open. Sign language can't hurt to learn.

It's also a lot of fun to learn!

[KimberlyJo]

It certainly wouldn't be a bad thing, though I think like others have said you may find yourself limited.

I haven't really gotten to the point where I need to seriously consider this issue, but I have often wondered what I would do with my voice. It's not overly deep, but I tend to be a quiet speaker anyways.

I was actually just reading something about this in a book I have and the recommendation there was just to try to talk in the upper region of your natural spoken voice. In other words, try to take the majority of the bass out of your voice.

I've actively listened to a lot of women's voices lately and I find that many many women have a natural deepness to their voice. I think with a bit of practice you could find a feminine voice that would be passable :) :)

[JOJO44]

All you tall ladies, relax. At six foot eight (bare:brolleyes:foot) and then adding three and a half inch heels . . . (No! I am not seven foot tall). Like I said in other posts, I don't go out and mingle in public.

[Diane Smith]

Learning sign language is something good in general, but it will limit your conversations to those who sign. In addition to the potential ethics issue that Cindy raised, you will attract more attention to yourself. And, of course, with that attention you'll have to make sure your hands look lovely. (Excuse for a manicure?)

This is some sign-language trivia ... An ex-girlfriend of mine was a professional sign language interpreter. She worked for the local school district and assisted the deaf students in the elementary grades. She told me that one of the first rules she was taught was that you cannot wear long nails or colored polish while signing -- it is visually distracting, and can slow down or garble the communications.

Now that applies to fast, experienced, professional signers, and deaf students who are full-time sign language communicators -- I doubt there are any sign-language police out there watching how we casual speakers do it. But with my inch-long red nails, I could never be mistaken for a serious sign language speaker, or get a job doing it!

- Diane

[Satrana]

It seems excessive to me especially if you are not passable then why bother? I would much rather be myself and enjoy my public experience than having to concentrate on changing my voice or learning sign language. I have never had a problem using my own deep male voice because I am not passable so people expect it. It would only be jarring if you were genuinely passable and people were not expecting a male voice.

[Sally2005]

Wouldn't work for me. I have big hands and I want people to avoid looking at them. They are one feature that would give me away. Also, deaf people will read you since it is hard for men to sign in middle C. ...and now you become part of two minorities so you might get discriminated against on two levels. People will become upset if they find out you are not really mute. Just seems too complicated to me.

[TxKimberly]

. . . drive a 33 year old car. . .

Hey, by the time they get that old, they go from being "an old car" to being a collectors car!

[Ralph]

Well, I never go out en femme unless my girlfriend is with me, and she is learning sign as well, so she would interpert for me to others, like a waitress or such.
Is it just me, or does that sound like one of those wacky schemes Lucy would cook up. "I know, Ethel! If I speak Ricky will recognize my voice, so I'll pretend to be mute and use sign language, and you can interpret for me! He'll never guess it's me that way! What could possibly go wrong?"

Jenn, I'm sorry that I'm not jumping on the encouragement bandwagon, but I'm only saying this so you won't embarrass yourself. What you're describing is nothing less than a comic farce. You're going to draw all kinds of attention to yourself with nonstandard behaviour, and that will set people wondering "Why isn't she talking? What's wrong with her?" They look more closely... and unless you were born with a perfectly feminine body down to the smallest pore, they WILL see that there's something funny under that makeup. I guarantee it. 90% of the people who post pictures here (yeah, I made that number up) don't pass nearly as well as they think they do.

So you have three choices here:
- Never go anywhere dressed that you would reasonably expected to speak. Any efforts you make to avoid speaking when it's expected will directly lead to the above situation.
- Learn to control your voice until it is passable, and then go out.
- Don't care that they know you're a guy, and enjoy the embarrassment and discomfort you cause them when you speak in a guy voice. Hey, if somebody is gonna get embarrassed, why not make it the other person instead of yourself?

Good luck!

ralph

[Carly D.]

I used to could do a fem voice ala Monty Python type of thing.. three weeks ago I got some sort of throat virus that choked out my voice for about ten days I had three voices, and one was very high (for me anyway) and I didn't even think that this was my fem voice.. it didn't last as my voice came back.. as far as working on a true female voice I think I just can't do it.. I could do it.. last night when I was thinking I might have to speak to someone on my "dare" thing I thought they would hear my regular male voice.. I was driving away thinking about this and tried a quick fem voice attempt and caughed and sputtered (still have some of that phlem in my throat I guess) but it felt foreign to try to do that.. guess I should try a fem voice if I want to do this again.. that and makeup.. by the way I wear shades to cover my non eye makeup covered eyes, anyone ever do that?? I don't wear make up like that, actually don't wear makeup at all (last night again probably why it was failure to me)..

[Joan Merrie]

Me and Tammy have been married for 20 years in July. I have to say that, I have done and still do use sign when out, I have to. Tam can read lips, and can talk some, think Marley Matalin's voice. What I have noticed is, ASL does draw attention, to you. We went to the mall last month, just to get out. I heard people say," Look at those two girls, are they deaf. So it does draw attention. So If you want to keep a low profile, I suggest working on your voice. I'm doing that now, as I'm soon going 24/7. I thought what am I going to do when she isn't with me. Like the store, getting dinner(or lunch in some parts of the world). Or I don't think it'll happen, if she leaves me, she is my number 1 supporter.
If any is wondering, when people try to speak to her, she just points to her ear, and says no.
I have to say finding your voice is easier than trying to learn sign, I'm still learning.:hugs: