Vocal fry. Why?

[WeAreOnTheRoadToNowhere]

I've just been listening to R4 and almost turned off. I could hardly bare to listen to the woman talking as her vocal fry was so pronounced
I've noticed some men do the same but far more young women. Is it subconscious or a deliberate attempt to sound more, I'm not sure what thb

What is vocal fry?

It's a kind of guttural, low way of speaking. Like from down in the throat
It doesn't sound natural. It isn't natural so that's probably why.

Who were you listening to?

Urgh there should be a law against it. Its anti social

I find it really unpleasant to listen to and have no idea why people do it. It has become really common over the last couple of years.

https://www.tiktok.com/@marybethbarone/video/7393018157801458990

This is an example of it but I've noticed my niece (30s) adopting this way of talking
I didn't catch the name of the woman being interviewed on R4. I also didn't really hear anything she said as it is so distracting

I find it really annoying and self indulgent

What a charming woman.

Vocal fry is extremely irritating- just like that tik tok woman. What a nasty diatribe

It actually can be quite therapeutic for your voice. It's a perfectly normal vocal register. But as with anything, in excess it can be damaging and annoying.

As always I recommend this video by linguist dr Geoff Lindsay for a really good overview on vocal fry

Is it only an American thing? I can never find examples of it in any other accent (and can't imagine it in an RP accent, for example!)

It’s replaced the neighbours inflection of yore….young women trying to sound more authoritative….

it does NOT work.

It's very American and has spread vis the internet. It's extremely annoying!

Bear not bare, OP. Keep your clothes on! Yes, vocal fry is absolutely infuriating. It always seems to be women doing it. ☹️

I always find myself doing a lot of throat clearing when I hear vocal fry. Like stamping on my imaginary brake when someone is driving too fast.

That woman in the TikTok video is an arsehole. And her audience are arseholes.

I have heard a man occasionally but only on the radio.

It's so incredibly annoying. All over social media.

It’s been popular in the U.S. since the mid 90s.

I hate it, too. Such an annoying affectation. Painful to listen to.

It’s very LA, I assume people mimic?

I didn’t know until this thread that it had a name. I watch Grey’s Anatomy and several of the female characters have this affliction. I find it irritating.

You might enjoy this...

I find it really irritating too. But it's just a linguistic trend. Nothing new. Although I suspect trends spread further and faster these days due to social media.
It is definitely a trend led by young women but I do know a man who does it too.