How to Pronounce Vocal Fatigue
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Vocal Fatigue Pronunciation
VOH-kal fah-TEEG
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
VOH
stress here
kal fah
TEEG
stress here
3 syllables
What is Vocal Fatigue?
Deterioration in voice quality and comfort during prolonged voice use, characterized by hoarseness, reduced vocal range, throat discomfort, and the need for increasing effort to produce voice. It is common in teachers, singers, and others who rely heavily on their voice and indicates insufficient vocal stamina.
Questions About Vocal Fatigue
How do you pronounce 'vocal fatigue'?
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Say it like this: VOH-kal fah-TEEG. The first word rhymes with 'local,' and the second word sounds like 'fatigue' (as in being tired). Put the stress on the first syllable of 'vocal'—VOH-kal—and say the second word with equal stress on the second part.
What does the word 'vocal' mean on its own?
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'Vocal' means related to the voice or sound made by your vocal cords. You might hear it in everyday language when people talk about being 'vocal' about something, meaning they speak up about it loudly or clearly.
How many syllables does 'vocal fatigue' have?
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'Vocal' has two syllables: VO-cal. 'Fatigue' has two syllables: fa-TIGUE. Together, the phrase has four syllables: VO-cal fa-TIGUE.
What's a simpler way to say 'vocal fatigue'?
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You could say 'voice tiredness' or 'tired voice' in everyday conversation. The medical term 'vocal fatigue' is more specific and tells healthcare providers exactly what kind of tiredness or strain you're talking about.
What do the word parts 'vocal' and 'fatigue' each mean?
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'Vocal' comes from the Latin word 'vox,' which means 'voice.' 'Fatigue' comes from French and means extreme tiredness. So together, 'vocal fatigue' literally means 'voice tiredness.'
What's the most common way people mispronounce this term?
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Many people stress the wrong syllable and say 'vo-KAL' instead of 'VOH-kal.' Remember: the stress goes on the first part—VOH. It rhymes with 'local,' not 'locale.'
How would you use 'vocal fatigue' in a sentence?
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You might hear a doctor say, 'After the long presentation, the teacher complained of vocal fatigue.' This means the teacher's voice felt tired and strained from talking so much.
Are there other medical words that share the root 'vocal'?
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Yes! 'Vocalization' means the act of producing sounds with your voice, and 'vocal cords' are the parts in your throat that create your voice. All these words relate to the voice and use the same Latin root.