Communication Skills
Tone of Voice
According to Mehrabian, the tone of voice we use is responsible for about 35-40 percent of the message we are sending. Tone involves the volume you use, the level and type of emotion that you communicate, and the emphasis that you place on the words that you choose. To see how this works, try saying the sentences in Figure 6 with the emphasis each time on the word in bold.
*I* didn't say he borrowed my book.
*I* didn't say he borrowed my book.
*I* didn't say he borrowed my book.
*I* didn't say he borrowed my book.
*I* didn't say he borrowed my book.
*I* didn't say he borrowed my book.
*I* didn't say he borrowed my book.
Figure 6: Impact of Tone of Voice
The same sentence can have multiple meanings depending on which word is emphasized. The emphasis on a particular word implies additional information than what the words say.
Notice that the meaning of the sentence changes each time, even though the words are the same. The emphasis you place on the word draws the listener's attention, indicating that the word is important somehow. In this case, the emphasis indicates that the word is an error. So in the first example, *I* didn't say he borrowed my book, the phrase includes the message that someone else said it. The implied information continues to change in each sentence, despite the words remaining the same each time.
From India, Chandigarh
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)
56Tone of Voice
According to Mehrabian, the tone of voice we use is responsible for about 35-40 percent of the message we are sending. Tone involves the volume you use, the level and type of emotion that you communicate, and the emphasis that you place on the words that you choose. To see how this works, try saying the sentences in Figure 6 with the emphasis each time on the word in bold.
*I* didn't say he borrowed my book.
*I* didn't say he borrowed my book.
*I* didn't say he borrowed my book.
*I* didn't say he borrowed my book.
*I* didn't say he borrowed my book.
*I* didn't say he borrowed my book.
*I* didn't say he borrowed my book.
Figure 6: Impact of Tone of Voice
The same sentence can have multiple meanings depending on which word is emphasized. The emphasis on a particular word implies additional information than what the words say.
Notice that the meaning of the sentence changes each time, even though the words are the same. The emphasis you place on the word draws the listener's attention, indicating that the word is important somehow. In this case, the emphasis indicates that the word is an error. So in the first example, *I* didn't say he borrowed my book, the phrase includes the message that someone else said it. The implied information continues to change in each sentence, despite the words remaining the same each time.
From India, Chandigarh
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Dear Mr. Bhanot,
You are absolutely right. We used to illustrate the importance of tone with the following sentences in Hindi:
' Roko, mat Jane do' (Stop, do not let go.) ' Roko mat, jane do' (Do not stop, let go.)
I would like to add one more thing - many problems arise due to the tone of voice. A good suggestion may seem like criticism. Keep posting.
Aarkaydee.
From India, Calcutta
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
You are absolutely right. We used to illustrate the importance of tone with the following sentences in Hindi:
' Roko, mat Jane do' (Stop, do not let go.) ' Roko mat, jane do' (Do not stop, let go.)
I would like to add one more thing - many problems arise due to the tone of voice. A good suggestion may seem like criticism. Keep posting.
Aarkaydee.
From India, Calcutta
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Hi everybody - (Thought for the day)
Thoughts are the food of the mind. A new thought every day will not only provide fresh food but also offer the necessary nutrition and stimulation needed to keep the mind healthy and enthusiastic about life. In this day of disruption and chaos, this is important.
Each day has its own 'special for the day' (Monday - Peaceful; Tuesday - Loveful; Wednesday - Powerful; Thursday - Knowledgeful; Friday - Pure; Saturday - Merciful; Sunday - Blissful), each offering a 'full' selection from which to feast the mind.
It is recommended to have a Grade 'A' diet.
- Collected from Om Santi Retreat Centre, Bilaspur, Gurgaon / Brahma Kumaris -
From India, New Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Thoughts are the food of the mind. A new thought every day will not only provide fresh food but also offer the necessary nutrition and stimulation needed to keep the mind healthy and enthusiastic about life. In this day of disruption and chaos, this is important.
Each day has its own 'special for the day' (Monday - Peaceful; Tuesday - Loveful; Wednesday - Powerful; Thursday - Knowledgeful; Friday - Pure; Saturday - Merciful; Sunday - Blissful), each offering a 'full' selection from which to feast the mind.
It is recommended to have a Grade 'A' diet.
- Collected from Om Santi Retreat Centre, Bilaspur, Gurgaon / Brahma Kumaris -
From India, New Delhi
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)Join Our Community and get connected with the right people who can help. Our AI-powered platform provides real-time fact-checking, peer-reviewed insights, and a vast historical knowledge base to support your search.
Voice Tone.zip
Communication Skills Self assessment.doc
Communication skills for software engineers V.1.pdf