Male to Female TransitionMany transsexual clients attend voice therapy to help them feel as if they have completely transitioned to the new gender role. Hormone therapy will not change the voice or the male vocal tract; therefore, many people seek the help of a speech-language pathologist to change their voices to match their new gender. Transsexuals completing the male-to-female transition often feel as if their voice does not match their physical appearance. The client's desire for feminine voice and speech must be explored with the speech therapist (Freidenberg, 2002).
Westburg, W.H. (2008). Hands [image], retrieved on November 28, 2012 from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/gene-associated-with-social-behavior-in-animals-has-similar-effects-in-human-males.shtml
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When making the decision to participate in speech therapy, it may be beneficial for the client to choose a female therapist. This will allow the client to have a model for feminine voice and pragmatic features. It may also be beneficial for the client to attend the session dressed as a female. This allows the client to more easily transition into the female role (Freidenberg, 2002). |
Areas of Speech that Must be Considered in Male-to-Female Transition
Fundamental Frequency - Modification of voice often begins with a change of fundamental frequency. Females generally speak with a higher fundamental frequency than males (Freidenberg, 2002).
Resonance - Women typically have a shorter vocal tract than men, which causes variation in resonance. Average formant frequencies are 20% higher in females than in males. Studies show that an increase in fundamental frequency alone is not sufficient for feminine voice; resonance plays a large role as well (Freidenberg, 2002).
Intonation and Language - Studies show that females use more intonational variation than males. Women also typically use more rising tones, whereas men use more falling tones (Freidenberg, 2002). The client should be encouraged to follow the language norms in her own environment. The type of language and speaking style used should be comfortable for the client (Davies & Goldberg, 2006).
Breathiness - Some women speak with incomplete closure of the vocal folds and a posterior glottal chink. This produces a breathy sound which is considered to be normal for females, but not for males (Freidenberg, 2002).
Intensity - Vocal intensity can be measured with a sound level meter. There is not usually much difference in average intensity of male and female voices. In some regions there is a stereotype that women speak more softly, and some speech therapists my include modification of vocal intensity in the treatment (Davies & Goldberg, 2006).
Articulation - Women tend to articulate more clearly than men, but with lighter manner. This is an area that the client and speech therapist may choose to focus on (Davies & Goldberg, 2006).
Resonance - Women typically have a shorter vocal tract than men, which causes variation in resonance. Average formant frequencies are 20% higher in females than in males. Studies show that an increase in fundamental frequency alone is not sufficient for feminine voice; resonance plays a large role as well (Freidenberg, 2002).
Intonation and Language - Studies show that females use more intonational variation than males. Women also typically use more rising tones, whereas men use more falling tones (Freidenberg, 2002). The client should be encouraged to follow the language norms in her own environment. The type of language and speaking style used should be comfortable for the client (Davies & Goldberg, 2006).
Breathiness - Some women speak with incomplete closure of the vocal folds and a posterior glottal chink. This produces a breathy sound which is considered to be normal for females, but not for males (Freidenberg, 2002).
Intensity - Vocal intensity can be measured with a sound level meter. There is not usually much difference in average intensity of male and female voices. In some regions there is a stereotype that women speak more softly, and some speech therapists my include modification of vocal intensity in the treatment (Davies & Goldberg, 2006).
Articulation - Women tend to articulate more clearly than men, but with lighter manner. This is an area that the client and speech therapist may choose to focus on (Davies & Goldberg, 2006).