That may be true as a general proposition but I don’t agree with it as far as uptalk is concerned. A rising inflection is closely associated with asking a question. When someone makes a statement in a way that sounds like a question, it sounds like they are half telling you something and half asking the listener if the statement is correct.
If I ask, “Which party breached the contract” and the answer is “Party A” with a lowering inflection then that can mean nothing but a confident statement.
If I ask, “Which party breached the contract” and the answer is “Party A” with a rising inflection it is indistinguishable from “Party A?” which sounds very much like “Umm, maybe party A but I’m not sure so I’m kind of telling you and asking you at the same time.”
This part sounds like you’re trying to make it fit a preconception. There’s no automatic reason that just because it is like asking a question that it should be perceived as weak or uncertain.
For example, in Welsh English varieties, it is quite common to end declarative sentences with a rising tone similar to a question. The Welsh don’t perceive each other as speaking in an uncertain or weak manner.
And look at all the groups within society in which it is the absolute normal way to speak. It’s very possible that uptalk—like many other youth-originating speech characteristics—will sooner or later become the norm in society. At that point, it won’t make any sense to argue that it sounds weak because it’s similar to an interrogatory.
There’s not only sexism but there’s also the continuous linguistic cycle of younger people adopting language traits that irritate their elders and older people finding any new features of youthspeak to be irritating. It’s constant generational warfare.
There’s something similar going on with “creaky voice.” People are getting annoyed by it because it’s young people that are perceived as doing it and it’s also young women.
Sorry, you can’t see any reason why make a statement that sounds like asking a question should be perceived as uncertain? Seriously? I think you are the one who needs to put aside your preconceptions and think about what you are saying.
As to your reference to other regional accents that use rising inflection for statements, you completely miss the point: the people to which the OP is referring don’t have those regional accents. They instead live somewhere where a rising inflection commonly turns a statement into a question.
I well remember visiting Australia numerous times in the 1990s and having to get used to the local lingo: “eskie” was a cooler; “dunny” was an toilet (and as I am a North American, even hearing the word “toilet” as casually as the Australians throw it around took me some getting used to–Australians apparently don’t use euphemisms like “washroom” or “restroom”), “sunnies” were my sunglasses, “truckie” was a truck driver, “bikie” was a motorcycle enthusiast, a “ute” was a pickup truck, and so on.
I really enjoyed my visits to Australia, and now that I know the local language, am looking forward to returning!
Minor nit pick —(speaking for Kiwis, but I think those funny hoppers on the West Island are the same)
A “bikie” would be a motocycle gang member - think Mongrel Mob etc
Of course a ute could also be a well side or a flat bed, and there is only ONE brand in all of Australia, the common argument is whether that brand is Ford or Holden though
Maybe. But it was still jarring to my North American ears.
In North America, we use “washroom” or “restroom” to refer to the acts of human defecation. We never ask if one needs to urinate or defecate; but we know where one does such things. Still, we’re squeamish about naming the porcelain object into which we deposit our defecation. It is easier for us if we simply refer to the room where we might do such things as a “washroom” or a “restroom.”
Thus, “toilet,” tossed around casually, as in my Aussie relative asking her son, about age three, and quite openly, “Do you need to use the toilet?” was* to me* somewhat similar to “hey, my three-year-old son, would you like to star in child porn?” That’s how unusual, awkward, and jarring the word was to my North American ears.
Yes, I know what a toilet is. I have a couple in my house. But guests ask to use the washroom, or the restroom. Of course, I allow them. I know what they are going to use the room for. We just don’t say such.
Holden = GM - I think I should let someone more cleverer than me answer that one - it’s not really very straight forward.
From what I remember / understand, Holden Australia had different product planning and development - even if now GM (America) and Holden Australia do share some parts…
No maybe about it. You are just used to a different euphemism. See, to me when you say you need to use the washroom, it sounds very obviously like you are going to porcelain throne. I hear it just as you hear “toilet”.
Toilet used to mean dressing or washing room. It now more means that now than “washroom” means place you go to wash.
Have to put in my two cents here and say the vocal fry thing is pretty common amongst some older women who aspire to a higher class (here in Australia anyway.) I work with a bunch of teachers and some of the older ones fry their vocals so much that I think there’s a man in the room sometimes.
This Kath and Kim clip is exaggerated for comic effect of course, but the kernel of truth is there in the stereotype. Complete with big round vowels and rising inflection.
I’m saying it is not an interpretation that is inherent to that characteristic. The fact that rising inflection works for both interrogatories and declarations in Welsh English supports that it is not inherent. It means that there is more to it than just that one thing, and since characteristics associated with the speech of young people and the doeech of women are routinely disparaged, it seems more likely than not that this plays a role.
And of course the fact that the American subgroups that use up tall in their own speech—they obviously don’t take away any uncertainty or other negative characteristics simply from the association with interrogatories.
It’s old people being annoyed by the speech of young people, as always.
