Multilingual Observation | Catching a Cold and Noticing the “Voice Habits” in Each Language

[Body Language - Cold Trilogy Part 1]

I caught a cold.
Even when I try to speak normally, my voice won't come out. When I force it, it's either raspy or gravelly.
That said, since consistency is key in language learning... I forced myself to start my usual routine with Chinese, but there are sounds I just can't produce. Why?
When I started English next, I realized, “Wait? Am I producing more English-like sounds than usual?” I wonder what this is all about.

So, today I’d like to share my observation notes regarding the sounds of each language.

English

When speaking English, I open my throat and produce sounds by resonating them in a lower register.
For me, currently suffering from a raspy voice due to a cold, that “low, relaxed vocalization” might have been just right.

Chinese

On the other hand, Chinese sounds are generally higher overall, and it requires the raising and lowering of pitch—what we call “tones.”
When you have a cold, you can't manage those pitch changes, so naturally, I can't speak Chinese.
I finally understood why a Chinese-speaking partner at a company I work with, who is usually incredibly talkative, became strangely quiet when they had a cold.

Arabic

Arabic has fricative sounds produced deep in the throat, like “ع” (ayn), which require a significant amount of “force to push the voice out.”
In other words, it’s impossible today. So, I’ll just lightly browse the text for Arabic.

Hindi

Hindi has many plosive and trilled sounds, and there is a strong sensation of busily moving the tongue and the inside of the mouth.
When I can't produce a voice, both are quite difficult. I’ll just lightly browse the text for Hindi as well.

Japanese

Japanese can be spoken without opening the mouth very wide and while keeping the throat tightened. Like whispering.
However, it is a language with generally high-pitched sounds, and when I try to speak normally, it’s not my usual voice, but only a gravelly one, so it makes people wonder, “Who is this?”

It wasn't until I couldn't produce my voice as I wanted that I truly realized how the “way of producing sound” is completely different for each language. Language isn't just about meaning; it is something that is ingrained in the body along with the way of producing sound. Since I usually do it unconsciously, it really hit home: “I see, there are these kinds of differences!” I’m lucky to have had this valuable experience that I could only have at a time like this 🎶

By losing my voice today, I was able to realize, “How have I always been ‘ringing’ each language?”
Maybe losing my voice isn't all bad once in a while.

…But, since my body is struggling, I think I’ll take it easy all day today to recover quickly. Tears.

[Cold Trilogy Part 2]
I also tried observing cold medicine.

[Cold Trilogy Part 3]
I also tried observing “pain”.

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