Kim Catdashian! Women who speak with husky ‘vocal fry’ use the same technique as cats when they purr, study finds
By Shivali Best For Mailonline
Published: 12:20 BST, 5 October 2023 | Updated: 12:27 BST, 5 October 2023
From Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton, numerous female celebrities are renowned for their unique raspy and low voices. This particular vocal style known as ‘vocal fry’ has gained popularity among young women who aspire to emulate their idols. An intriguing study conducted by researchers from the University of Vienna has unveiled a fascinating connection between women who speak with vocal fry and cats’ purring technique.
Cats are recognized for their wide array of vocalizations, ranging from sharp screeches to deep purrs. Prior research has demonstrated that cats produce meows and screeches in their larynx, also referred to as the ‘voice box’, similar to human vocalizations. However, the mechanism behind purring has remained elusive until now. Previous studies from 50 years ago suggested that purring is generated through cyclic muscle contractions within the vocal folds of the larynx. However, the recent study challenges this notion by highlighting that such a process would necessitate continuous neural input and brain control.
In order to uncover the truth, the researchers conducted an analysis using the voice boxes of eight domestic cats while they produced various noises. Contrary to previous beliefs, the analysis revealed that cyclic muscle contractions are not the source of cat purrs. Instead, the study discovered that cats possess a distinctive pad within their vocal folds that is responsible for producing low-frequency sounds.
What is ‘vocal fry’?
‘Vocal fry’ involves elongating specific syllables, causing them to vibrate at the back of the throat and creating a tapping sound similar to a stick running along a railing. In vocal fry, phrases like ‘no way’ become ‘no waaaaaaay’ and ‘whatever’ turns into ‘whateverrrrrr’. This phenomenon can be compared to the way Britney Spears croaked out the line ‘Oh baby, baby’ in her number one hit ‘Baby One More Time’.
Christian T Herbst, the lead author of the study, explained, ‘Anatomical investigations revealed a unique “pad” within the cats’ vocal folds. This pad may explain how such a small animal, weighing only a few kilograms, can regularly produce sounds at incredibly low frequencies (20-30 Hz, or cycles per second), even lower than the lowest bass sounds produced by human voices.’ This process mirrors vocal fry in humans, as described by the researchers. The study further states, ‘This is comparable to vocal fry phonation in humans, which is found at frequencies below 70 Hz.’
Vocal fry sounds are typically used at the end of a sentence, where the voice drops into lower, creaky notes. It can be likened to the way Britney Spears croaked out the line ‘Oh baby, baby’ in her number one hit ‘Baby One More Time’. However, a recent study found that women who speak with vocal fry are perceived as less intelligent and attractive. Interestingly, the study conducted by the University of Florida did not find any difference in the impression it gave when used by men.
About the Author
Shivali Best is a writer for Mailonline.
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