Okay, I’ve got a poll for the teeming millions. Please forgive my passion for linguistics. I’m trying to ascertain whether or not the processes of reading (written language) and speaking/hearing (vocal/auditory language) are distinct. I am aware tha t spoken traditions far exceeded the presence of writting tradition, but I would like to discern whether or not these capacities are correlative or intertwined. I have noticed that whenever I read, a voice accompanies the words which I read. Is this phenomenon indicative of the populus? Do you hear a voice in you mind when you read? Is the voice yours? Please bear in mind that I am not referencing extraneous voices resultant from various “deviant” mental occurences. What is the word, my friends?
When I read I tend to give a voice to the words. For instance if I know the author or character is an old man I put an old man’s voice to the words as I am reading them. If I do not know who the author is I tend to hear my own voice but it changes to fit how I think the author/character might sound. Does this make any sense?
Usually the voice I hear is my own, when I consciously recognize it, that is. Otherwise I don’t even notice it, and when reading fiction, I usually imagine the person speaking in the voice of however they were described. One of the main characters in a book I am reading has taken on the characteristics of Chelsea Clinton, no matter how hard I try to expell her from my mind. Oh well. 
I hear my own voice (at least, how I perceive it to sound) for non-dialogue parts of books. It’s the same voice I think with, if you know what I mean. For the dialogue or thoughts of characters, I always associate the character with an actor and use his/her voice.
The voice in my head is much cooler than mine. And deeper.
Inasmuch as I hear a voice at all, it’s pretty much neutral. Which means, I suppose, that if it were externalized, it would sound more or less like me.
I definitely “hear” what I’m reading. I usually hear my own voice but if a character is particularly strong, they may develop their own voice.
Fran
Printed words are symbols, it takes an effort to make a sound out of them. \Exceptions being books written in “dialect” - Ian Rankin or Iain Banks always generate a little voice with a distinct Scots burr… and Russel Hoban’s Ridley Walker has a demonic voice all of its own (picture a 14 year old on speed).
actually i read to myself in my mind so its my voice
although once in a while ill make up a voice for thecharacter
I’m worried now. I read a lot and I hear no voice, EVER, when I read. I just read and process, I guess.
Oh, well, one more thing to worry about.
I’m with you, Jane. No voices from reading.
If I’m reading for fun, I vocalize. If I’m skimming for information (homework, for example) I just absorb.
Put me down as one who doesn’t hear any voices while reading.
The voices in my head keep telling me that “the guilty must pay”. As of yet, they haven’t told me who is guilty or how they must pay, so I just drown them out with beer.
I do hear my voice in my head when I read.