I’ve noticed that a few women sound as though they are hissing when they pronounce the ‘S’ sound. Is this a regional pronunciaton? Is it a generational thing?
I’m having trouble imagining an aspirated “s” sound. Are there any public figures whose speech features this characteristic?
I think, if you try to recall a Dolly Parton or Reba McIntyre song, you’ll hear what the OP is talking about. If it’s the sound I’m thinking of, it’s about midway between a standard /s/ and a standard /sh/.
I’ve always noticed that Pres. Bush does this, and it drives me nuts. I’ve always wondered why one of his advisors hasn’t told him to cut it out.
I’ve noticed it too. It seems to be common among younger, middle to upper middle class women. My assumption is that it is one of those common speech affectations that groups of people come up with to distingush themselves from others. Sort of like the gay lisp, or the various accents related to upper classes (e.g., “neg-oh-see-ate” vs. “neg-goh-she-ate;” “boTTle” vs. “boDDle.”)