AUDIO REFLECTION
In the field of communication, the element of audio performance is one aspect that cannot be overlooked. Just like any other form of communication, an audio conversation is one crucial element that many people rely on heavily. Therefore, the paper conducts a comparative analysis to establish the effectiveness or the ineffectiveness of oral voices in the video clips.
The communication from Tayeb Talin, the season of migration to the north, is not only practical but also descriptive. The narrator creates intimacy with the readers by using a relational voice. The quality of her voice is an aspect that dramatically drives her point home. Besides, she comes out as empathetic by describing how she had longed for her people for seven years. That aspect is very relevant in achieving her narrative. Her tone is appealing and clear, which is a very crucial and effective voice technique. Her narration is also done authentically, hence attracting the attention of the listener. In a bid to further engage the audience, she expresses her points confidently and succinctly to make it easy for the audience to listen to her.
The consistency in her narration creates a flow that enables the listener to keep up with regularity in her points. Furthermore, the reasonable pace in her voice is one characteristic that makes it easy to understand her. Most importantly, the narrator avoids ambiguity by being specific to her issue of focus. Finally, there is a useful link between her vocality and her orality to mean that there is some sense of rhythm in whatever she is trying to put across. She comes out as confident in expressing her views clearly.
On the contrary, the narrator number four begins his narration in a boisterous manner. The words, “No! No! No!” not only appear authoritative but also disturb the meaning and the process. In as much as his topic is interesting, the narrator uses some vulgar language such as “you fucking animal.” That language makes the whole conversation appear intersubjective. Besides, he is not coherent in his narration in that he gets very loud and noisy at some point. As a result, his voice is full of distractions, and you may wonder whether he is talking or arguing with himself. The lack of consistency in his voice is not only a poor communication skill but also ineffective.
However, the uniqueness in his voice is one aspect that attracts attention. . Through the noise, one may wonder what the narrator wants to dwell in as a character in the story. In other words, he knows how to draw attention, though in a boring manner (the sound No! No! No!). Furthermore, his passion for narration is one exciting feature that makes the conversation flow. He expresses his points passionately and with much clarity hence making the listener understand what he is speaking about clearly. Also, his use of the non-verbal cues is one strength he possesses within his voice. This feature is informed by the fact that one can feel the pain in his voice regarding his condemnation of child abuse. He is so determined in his topic that he creates transparency through his authoritativeness.
The last conversation, titled “William Shakespeare, Hamlet,” has some unique aspects that make the whole topic interesting. The narrator smiles throughout her narration, an element that creates a more comfortable environment. However, her point does not come out clearly because the listener cannot accurately tell what she is talking about in the story. As a result, there is no relationship between her voice and what she is really addressing. At some point, the whole communication sounds like a mere joke because of her much laughter in between the conversation. Furthermore, at some point, she seems drunkard on the verge of completing her narration when she asks the question, “who is me…”.Her narrative is also too general, with nothing specific addressing.
At times, she is talking about marriage, while at some point, she is talking about God. On the same note, she begins her conversation paradoxically by claiming that she is very proud and ambitious even when it is clear that she is regretting to God. Therefore, she fails to create intimacy with her listeners due to her ambiguity and generalities. To further create confusion, her communication lacks rhythm in that she keeps posing inconsistently. Unless you are a keen listener, you would not fully understand her point of view.
Bibliography
Have, Iben, and Birgitte Stougaard Pedersen. Digital audiobooks: New media, users, and experiences. Routledge, 2015.
James, Cynthia C. “Engaging reluctant readers through audiobook project.” International Journal on E-Learning Practices (IJELP) (2017).
Knox, Sara Louise. “Hearing Hardy, talking Tolstoy: the audiobook narrator’s voice and reader experience.” Audiobooks, Literature, and Sound Studies (2011): 127-142.