Voices

[pips1]

What has happened in recent years to people's voices? particularly presenters on TV. What I am referring to is how every sentence ends as if it is a question, ie higher intonation, it is so annoying, regular offenders are Gok Wan and chef Nigel Slater for example. Even in everyday life I hear people talking like this - why?

[boxtops]

It's a really bad habit, which seems to have started when we all began to watch Australian soaps. I worked with a girl in 1996 who did it, she was the first person I noticed with the habit.

[joggerjayne]

Yes, it's an Australian thing?

As if every sentence becomes a question?

People start doing it even if they've just been there on holiday?

And yes, it's a bit irritating?

[Brinjal]

Very much an Oz thing. And if you are a kiwi you would finish the sentence with but. As in very much an Oz thing but!

[snags]

''And yes, it's a bit irritating?''

As irritating as peppering your posts with 'yikes', 'yay' and 'fail cake'

?

[Sqad]

LOL.snags^^

[pips1]

I just can't understand why so many people have adopted this habit, what's wrong with the way we speak the Queen's English?

[murraymints]

Really irritating..as is, you know and like, punctuating everything !

[Chipchopper]

Yes, I find it irritating and I can't help looking scornfully at people that use it, how ever much I try to stop my eyes rolling.
Whats worse I've found myself doing it, without intending to.

[Prudie]

I always assumed that presenters had been on a course to learn how to do it.

[Sipowicz]

Can I get, instead of Can I have!

[ChillDoubt]

Can't say I've noticed, but why do so many these days reply by starting with "Aw, look....."

[boxtops]

"I'm not being funny, but...."

no, you're not, and it means you're about to disagree with me....

[2sp_]

Or, even worse, boxy, "No offence but,..."

Really means "I'm about to offend you, brace yourself..."

[pips1]

So glad I'm not the only one, it's not going to change anything though is it?

[murraymints]

Can I instead of May I !

[murraymints]

Or with respect....before you are dissed !

[hellywelly4]

I've always wondered if the presenters go on a course so that when they are walking and talking they have to spread their arms out, almost as if they are pleading. Walk two steps, arms out. Walk two more, arms out again. They also use one hand to emphasise their words - noticed this on Autumn Watch particularly.
Perhaps it's me!!!