# Why do our voices differ **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 10, 2018, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-our-voices-differ/806357 "2018-01-10T20:37:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nansbread1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2018, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-our-voices-differ/806357/1 "2018-01-10T20:37:49Z")
If the layrnx is made of the same genetic coding why do human voices differ so much? ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2018, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-our-voices-differ/806357/2 "2018-01-10T20:49:39Z")
It’s not made of the same genetic coding. Yes the same basic “building block” is there, but larynxes differ just as ears, eyes, hair color, basic build, etc. differ. In addition some of the difference in voices like accent is learned behavior. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2018, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-our-voices-differ/806357/3 "2018-01-10T20:55:23Z")
Given that blood pressure, humidity, temperature and a host of other variables can affect the vocal cords, it’s amazing that our individual voices sound the same from one day to the next. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2018, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-our-voices-differ/806357/4 "2018-01-11T05:21:11Z")
Voice production is far more complex than just the vocal cords. Facial structure, lips, tongue, mouth shape, soft palate, diaphragm, lungs, and more are involved physiologically. And then there your age, your sex, your learned language formation, your psychological makeup, and on and on. [further reading](http://voicefoundation.org/health-science/voice-disorders/anatomy-physiology-of-voice-production/understanding-voice-production/) ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2018, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-our-voices-differ/806357/5 "2018-01-11T06:57:43Z")
I do wonder sometimes why people of similar appearance will also have similar voices. Not just tall or small people, which makes at least a bit of sense, but people of similar cultures will have a similar timbre, or people with a particular attitude or personality will sound so alike. It’s not consistent, but still very common. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2018, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-our-voices-differ/806357/6 "2018-01-11T07:23:20Z")
Although out voice originates in the vibration of our vocal cords, it resonates through the cavities in our body, as well – the sinuses, the lungs, etc, all of which are shaped and formed differently in different people. Also, because different people’s vocal cords are different lengths, they vibrate at different frequencies, like violin strings, giving off a different pitch. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2018, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-our-voices-differ/806357/7 "2018-01-11T08:11:57Z")
Bear in mind that what constitutes a difference is a subjective matter. We are highly attuned to recognize subtle differences between human voices, because we’re humans, and it matters. By contrast, could you tell the screeches of two monkeys of the same species apart, beyond maybe gross pitch differences between large males and smaller juveniles or females? Probably not, but you can bet the monkeys certainly can, instantly. And to the monkeys, all humans probably sound similar. Anyway, if our voices are so different, why can’t most Americans tell the difference between English, Australian and South African accents? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2018, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-our-voices-differ/806357/8 "2018-01-11T11:07:16Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Anyway, if our voices are so different, why can’t most Americans tell the difference between English, Australian and South African accents? Because they don’t hear them often enough. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2018, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-our-voices-differ/806357/9 "2018-01-11T12:14:49Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Anyway, if our voices are so different, why can’t most Americans tell the difference between English, Australian and South African accents? who says “most Americans” can’t? ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2018, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-our-voices-differ/806357/10 "2018-01-11T12:51:54Z")
I have had it pointed out to me many times that my phone voice is radically different than my normal in person speaking voice. Not so much by the people I am talking to but by the people sitting in the same room as I while speaking on the phone. Our state of mind has a huge impact on our voice… ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-our-voices-differ/806357/11 "2018-01-11T19:16:03Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I have had it pointed out to me many times that my phone voice is radically different than my normal in person speaking voice. Not so much by the people I am talking to but by the people sitting in the same room as I while speaking on the phone. Our state of mind has a huge impact on our voice… Happens with radio or tv personalities, too. I’ve known a few pro DJs/announcers and their on-air voice is COMPLETELY different from their conversational voice. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2018, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-our-voices-differ/806357/12 "2018-01-11T19:34:05Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > who says “most Americans” can’t? In my personal fairly extensive experience (Brit, lived the U.S. and traveled widely here for 15 years) most can’t. Of course, _some_ can. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2018, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-our-voices-differ/806357/13 "2018-01-11T22:54:12Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Anyway, if our voices are so different, why can’t most Americans tell the difference between English, Australian and South African accents? I can generally tell the difference among the three, but not among different speakers of the same. My father watches a lot of Acorn TV and all of the British women sound the same to me. :o ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2018, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-our-voices-differ/806357/14 "2018-01-12T01:21:59Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I do wonder sometimes why people of similar appearance will also have similar voices. Not just tall or small people, which makes at least a bit of sense, but people of similar cultures will have a similar timbre, or people with a particular attitude or personality will sound so alike. It’s not consistent, but still very common. Interestingly, my teenage son is similar in voice, looks and personality to my grandfather and 2 of my uncles. They’re all 6 feet tall, slim and long-limbed, deep-voiced, quiet and calm. It must be more genetic than environmental because my son was born years after my grandfather died and he’s spent only a few hours with my uncles (his great-uncles) who live in another country. The height and build definitely come from my side of the family, and the personality could too. All the males on my spouse’s side are 5’9" or shorter, and stocky with long torsos and short legs; they’re loud and excitable as well.