Voice

/vɔɪs/ noun

Definition

A voice is the sound you make when you speak or sing, and it can also mean your personal style or power to express opinions.

Etymology

From Old French “vois,” from Latin “vox,” meaning “voice or sound.” The word has long covered both literal sound and figurative expression.

Kelly Says

When people say “find your voice,” they’re borrowing a physical idea—speaking—into the world of identity and opinion. Even in writing, your “voice” is what makes your words sound like you and not someone else.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Voice technologies and assistants have often defaulted to female-sounding voices, reflecting stereotypes about women as service providers or secretaries. Historically, women's literal and metaphorical 'voices' were marginalized in public, political, and academic spaces.

Inclusive Usage

Use 'voice' in ways that recognize everyone’s right to speak and be heard, and avoid assuming a default gender for disembodied or assistant voices.

Inclusive Alternatives

["perspective","viewpoint","audio output","speech"]

Empowerment Note

Highlight that women and gender-diverse people have shaped public discourse, literature, and activism, often fighting to have their voices recognized and recorded.

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