女性如今都爱用“气泡音”说话
Females are adopting a croaky drawl known as 'vocal fry' and showcased by the likes of many US celebrities including reality TV stars the Kardashian family.
女性如今都爱拉长调子用沙哑的声音说话，俗称“气泡音”。许多美国名人都这么说话，包括真人秀明星卡戴珊姐妹。
Their voices are also getting lower thanks to the linguistic phenomenon - perhaps reflecting the need to compete with men in the workplace.
One cultural critic complained that it made young women sound like 'ducks quacking'.
Paris Hilton and singers Britney Spears and Katy Perry are among other celebrities who pepper their speech with guttural growls and the style of speaking is becoming increasingly popular in the UK.
Also known as creaky voice, it involves elongating certain syllables so that they vibrate at the back of the throat, creating a tapping sound like a stick running along a railing.
With vocal fry, the phrase 'no way' becomes 'no waaaaaaay' and 'whatever' turns into 'whateverrrrrr'.
Louisiana State University researchers said that women think that lower voices make them seem more masculine and so better able to take on men in the workplace.
However, while the vocal quirk hasn't done Kim Kardashian's career any harm, many believe it carries negative connotations.
One study found that women with the speech pattern sound less competent and less employable.