Translations: Wacky Word Wednesday – Sotto Voce

Welcome to this week’s Wacky Word Wednesday. Ensuring high quality translations requires a greater understanding of even the most unique words. In public speaking, a presenter may sometimes increase the volume of their voice while pounding their fist in order to emphasize important points. However, the opposite approach can be just as powerful. In today’s Wacky Word Wednesday, let’s tune out distractions and pay closer attention to the quiet, whispering voices.

Sotto voce [sah-toh-VOH-chee ]–Adverb/adjUnder the breath; in an undertone; in a private manner.

Sotto voce was borrowed from the Italian word sottovoce, “under the voice.” It is used to describe sounds or words that are spoken in a quiet and soft voice so that only people nearby can hear it.  Its adverb sense first appeared in the English lexicon in the 18^th century and soon became common in musical directions calling for whispered vocals or softness of tone. In literature, sotto voce is also used to indicate emphasis attained by lowering one’s voice.  For example, English novelist Charlotte Brontë uses sotto voce to describe Mrs. Reed’s manner of speaking when arguing with Jane:

“‘I am not your dear; I cannot lie down. Send me to school soon, Mrs. Reed, for I hate to live here.’ ‘I will indeed send her to school soon,’ murmured Mrs. Reed, sotto voce; and gathering up her work, she abruptly quitted the apartment.”

If you naturally have a sotto voce voice, you might feel you are overpowered by loud people and oftentimes unintentionally ignored by your peers, especially in noisy environments. But having a soft voice can also be to your advantage. You may not draw everyone’s attention, but you will draw the attention of the ones who really care about you; they will lean in and pay closer attention to what you say. You probably also don’t have to worry too much about having your conversation eavesdropped upon.

As usual, we’ve provided a few examples below to help you understand today’s wacky word:

• As her husband headed into the kitchen, our hostess began telling us sotto voce about the upcoming surprise party for him. (Merriam-Webster)
• Former Virginia Governor Robert F. McDonnell had just explained, with a heart-breaking letter and a sotto voce delivery, that his marriage was in shambles. (Laura Vozzella, Matt Zapotosky, and Rosalind S. Helderman, The Washington Post, August 23, 2014)
• The trio were standing to my left, breathing heavily and conversing sotto voce. (David Cavanagh, Music for Boys)

This wraps up our blog on translations and Wacky Word Wednesday for today. Join us again next week as we explore another peculiar word!

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