uptalk

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up·talk

(ŭp′tôk′)

A manner of speaking in which declarative sentences are uttered with a rising intonation as though they were questions.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

uptalk

(ˈʌpˌtɔːk)

(Linguistics) a style of speech in which every sentence ends with a rising tone, as if the speaker is always asking a question

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

up•talk

(ˈʌpˌtɔk)
n.

a rise in pitch at the end usu. of a declarative sentence, esp. if habitual: often represented in writing by a question mark as in Hi, I'm here to read the meter?

[1990–95]

References in periodicals archive ?

There is also a frequent habit in raising the intonation on the last word of every sentence and, now that this mannerism has been given a name - 'uptalk' - it will probably spread like wildfire.

Basically, Mar-in is cool.... arghhh!

For example, speech coach Susan Sankin says using upspeak (also known as "uptalk") can make you seem indecisive and less confident at work.

Meanwhile, a study by UK publisher Pearson found that a majority of bosses "believe uptalk hinders the prospects of promotion as well as better pay grades in their organization."

5 Surprising Ways Your Voice Affects Your Success

It was probably from his students that he had learned uptalk. "For my second book I did that academic thing where you write about a problem that the major figure in your first book led you to, and now that I have tenure, I want my third book to be just about Harwood.

THE USUAL LABYRINTH

Washington, December 7 ( ANI ): New research has shown that the American English speech variant known as uptalk, or "Valley Girl speak" is expanding to other demographic groups, including males.

Researcher Amanda Ritchart, a linguist at the University of California, said that uptalk is becoming more prevalent and systematic in its use for the younger generations in Southern California and has transcended diverse socioeconomic status, ethnicity, bilingualism and gender boundaries.

The new study, which is also the first to identify the distinct melodic dialect marked by a rise in pitch at the ends of sentences, has busted the stereotype associated with uptalk that those who speak uptalk actually ask questions instead of make statements.

New linguistics study shows 'uptalk' transcends gender boundaries

So does Current Okada, but not without provoking rancor from his manager, played with pitch-perfect uptalk by Mary McCool: "The problem is that, look, I don't want you to take this the wrong way, OK, but the reason you're able to say things like that is 72' because of your position, I mean, Okada, you are in many ways, you can afford a lot of freedom, you can't deny that.

Cost effective: Pig Iron Theatre Company an Japan's chelfitsch engage in a unique collaboration

Those who "uptalk"--habitually ending their statements on a high note as if asking a question--rule themselves out on the grounds that they sound tentative and juvenile.