Ruqayyah Snyder
Australians are known for their unique accent and cadence when speaking, which has led to them becoming familiar narrators of shows and documentaries. Australian children's shows are known for their quirky and sometimes scary content, featuring shaky camcorder footage, UFOs, and mythical stories. The Australian accent is often associated with a particular tone and rhythm, which some find engaging and others find distracting. There is also a practical reason for the distinct Australian narration style, as historically, newsreaders used a particular cadence and accent to be heard clearly over AM frequencies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for Australian accent | It is what people expect to hear |
| It was originally easier to hear over AM frequencies | |
| It is similar to how American newsreaders use a mid-Atlantic accent | |
| Australian newsreaders' cadence | Every sentence goes up and down in pitch |
| It is not natural speech | |
| It is mostly done by younger newsreaders out in the street | |
| Comparison with other accents | Regional accents are popular in British TV |
| American broadcasters are sent to Nebraska to learn the Nebraskan dialect, which is considered neutral |
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What You'll Learn
Newsreaders' tone and cadence
The tone and cadence of newsreaders has been a topic of discussion and interest for many. The phenomenon of "newscaster's voice" is characterised by a specific tone and cadence, which has been described as an authoritative cadence and rhotic dialect. Listeners have noticed that newsreaders tend to employ a certain sing-song inflection, with weirdly emphasised up-and-down enunciations, placing unexpected stress on less important words.
This particular style of delivery is said to have originated with the need to be heard clearly over AM frequencies, and it has stuck around even with the advent of FM radio. It is also argued that newsreaders adopt this style of speaking to ensure maximum clarity for their viewers. Newsreaders tend to enunciate better than most people, and by speaking more slowly and precisely, they ensure that their message is communicated effectively.
The style of newsreaders' speech has also been influenced by outdated ideas about professionalism. In the past, a distinct "broadcast news type voice" was considered a marker of proper breeding and/or schooling. This "Mid-Atlantic accent", as it was called, was an elite affectation that sounded like it originated between Britain and the US East Coast. However, with the decline of Britain's imperial preeminence post-World War II, Americans started to embrace more distinctly American-sounding figures, leading to the emergence of the "General American" accent.
Despite these shifts in accent preferences, the "news-speak" has remained relatively consistent, with newsreaders often emulating the delivery styles of those who came before them. This has led to a somewhat uniform style of delivery that is now expected by viewers.
In Australia, the newcaster's voice has taken on a unique quality, with a noticeable up-and-down cadence that is particularly noticeable in younger reporters. This style has been criticised as unnatural and even "dumb", yet it persists as the standard for Australian newsreaders.
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Regional accents
Australia and the UK produce more documentaries per capita than the US, which is why we see more documentaries narrated by Australians. There are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, both countries have public broadcasters (the BBC and ABC) that generally produce more "highbrow" content. Secondly, it is argued that the Australian accent is easier to understand with background noise or at lower volumes, which is important for clarity when broadcasting. This is especially true when considering the history of radio broadcasting, where it was hard to hear clearly over AM frequencies, so a clear voice was needed.
Australian newsreaders are known for their particular way of speaking, with strange up-and-down enunciations. Interestingly, it seems to be mostly the younger reporters out in the street who use this style of speaking, rather than the newsreaders on the desk. This style of speaking may have developed out of necessity for being heard clearly on older radio frequencies, and has simply stuck around.
It is worth noting that the Australian accent is not the only accent that is preferred for clarity in broadcasting. In the US, for example, broadcasters are sometimes sent to Nebraska to learn the Nebraskan dialect, which is widely considered to be the most neutral American accent.
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Neutral accents
The Australian accent has been described as "'weirdly emphasised up-and-down enunciations', which may be off-putting to some listeners. However, the Australian accent is also considered to be quite neutral, especially compared to other English dialects like the Somerset dialect. This may be one reason why Australian accents are commonly heard in narration and documentary-style programs.
Australian English is also said to be easier to understand with background noise or at lower volumes, which may have been especially important in the early days of radio broadcasting when AM frequencies were commonly used. The clear and distinct Australian accent would have been easier to hear over these frequencies, and this practice may have stuck around even as broadcasting technology improved.
Additionally, Australia produces a high number of documentaries per capita, which may contribute to the perception that Australians frequently narrate shows. The public broadcaster ABC is known for producing many "highbrow" documentaries, which may contribute to the association of the Australian accent with more intellectual or educational programming.
It's worth noting that the perception of an accent can vary depending on regional expectations. For example, in the United States, the Nebraskan dialect is considered the most neutral, and American broadcasters are sometimes sent to Nebraska to learn this dialect. Similarly, Australian and British accents may be perceived as more neutral or trustworthy by global audiences, leading to their prevalence in narration and documentary-style programming.
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Background noise
Australian television and radio presenters have long been known for their distinct style of speaking, particularly when it comes to newsreaders. This unique cadence, with its up-and-down intonation, has been described as sounding unnatural and even ridiculous. However, there are several reasons why this style of delivery may have come to be so prevalent among Australian broadcasters.
One theory is that the unusual intonation patterns help to make the newsreader's speech stand out against background noise. This may be especially important in outdoor reporting situations, where there is often a significant amount of background noise that can make it difficult for viewers to hear the presenter clearly. By using this distinctive cadence, newsreaders may be able to improve the clarity and intelligibility of their speech, even in noisy environments.
Another factor that has been suggested is the influence of broadcasting technology. In the past, when radio and television signals were transmitted using AM frequencies, it could be challenging to achieve clear audio quality. Newsreaders may have adopted specific vocal techniques, such as exaggerating the pitch changes in their speech, to ensure their voices cut through the static and background noise inherent in early broadcasting technology.
Additionally, it's worth noting that this style of delivery is not unique to Australia. Regional accents and dialects are often favoured in British television broadcasting, and in the United States, national broadcasters are sometimes sent to Nebraska to learn the Nebraskan dialect, which is considered more neutral and easily understandable for American audiences. Similarly, Hollywood employs accent coaches to help actors capture the right accent for their characters.
While the distinct Australian newsreader cadence may sound odd to some, it is a well-established part of the country's broadcasting landscape. It is a testament to the importance of effective communication in mass media and the ongoing evolution of spoken language in different cultural contexts.
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Audio description
The audio description feature describes the visual elements of a scene, such as "Two people ride surfboards at sunset" or "An aerial view of the housing estate". It also reads out text graphics that appear on the screen, such as dates or locations. This service is especially useful for individuals with visual impairments, as it enables them to follow and understand the program's content more effectively.
The use of audio description can be beneficial not only for individuals with visual impairments but also for those who prefer auditory learning or simply enjoy having the additional context provided. It adds a layer of depth to the viewing experience, enhancing the overall comprehension of the program. However, some viewers may find the audio descriptions distracting or unnecessary and prefer to turn them off.
The distinct Australian accent and cadence in newsreading and podcasting have been a topic of discussion. Some attribute it to the need for clear diction in the past when broadcasting over AM frequencies. This style of delivery has persisted even with technological advancements, becoming an expected and recognizable part of Australian media.
While audio description specifically aids those with visual impairments, the broader topic of accent and diction in Australian media extends beyond this feature. The unique qualities of Australian narration, including the up-and-down intonation patterns, contribute to the overall listening experience and have become a distinctive aspect of Australian broadcasting.
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Frequently asked questions
It is thought that Australian newsreaders and reporters speak with a particular cadence where their pitch goes up and down at the end of sentences. This is because it is what people expect to hear and has been influenced by the need to be heard clearly when reporting in the past.
Yes, regional accents are often favoured by British TV. In the US, broadcasters are sometimes sent to Nebraska to learn the Nebraskan dialect, which is considered neutral and easy to understand.
Australian narrators and newsreaders may also use a particular style of speaking to aid those with impaired vision. Audio Description helps people understand what is being shown on screen, and this may be inadvertently turned on through TV settings.
