Misvoice

To express something incorrectly or inappropriately, especially through the manner of speaking, phrasing, or tone. This often implies a lack of understanding or intentional misrepresentation of the intended meaning. It encompasses distortions of information conveyed verbally, causing misunderstandings or conveying the wrong sentiment. It emphasizes the act of speaking that results in misinterpretation, deception, or a failure to communicate effectively. This contrasts with accurate, well-articulated speech where the intended message is clearly conveyed.

Misvoice meaning with examples

• The politician, attempting to sound empathetic, ended up misvoicing the concerns of the working class, using jargon that alienated his audience. His tone was too condescending, and the language was stilted, leaving a poor impression and creating distrust. This misvoice cost him the support he was trying to gain with voters.
• During the negotiation, the mediator's repeated misvoicing of the key terms led to a breakdown in communication. His lack of clarity on the specifics and imprecise phrasing muddled the terms of the agreement, rendering the contract untenable. Everyone ended up frustrated and at odds with each other because of his poor choice of words.
• The actor, struggling with the script, continuously misvoiced the character's lines, leading to a disconnect between the intended emotion and the delivery. The awkward pacing and delivery undermined the whole scene's dramatic impact, which hurt the film and made it almost unwatchable in places. The tone was wrong!
• The automated translation tool consistently misvoiced complex sentences, transforming profound philosophical statements into nonsensical babble. Complex vocabulary, idioms, and context seemed to be beyond it. This technological failure led to significant confusion in the conference, where they should have worked.
• Driven by panic, she started misvoicing the emergency procedure over the phone, losing composure. She was unable to speak clearly and lost her control over herself and the situation. This delayed assistance and amplified the problem, making everything much more difficult. The wrong words hurt her case.