What Is Upspeak? 4 Tips to Break the Habit of Uptalking

Upspeak, also known as uptalk or high rising terminal (HRT), is a linguistic occurrence in which a speaker uses a rising inflection at the end of a declarative sentence. This rising intonation at the end of the sentence makes a statement sound like a question. In 1993, journalist James Gorman established the term “upspeak” in a New York Times article. In pop culture, upspeak is known as “valley girl speak,” a social class stereotype popularized in the ‘80s as a riff on the dialect of upper-middle-class young women from the valleys of Southern California.

Overusing upspeak in your speech becomes monotonous for listeners and may indicate a lack of confidence, as every statement becomes a question. While linguists have derided the use of uptalk, some high-profile figures have embraced it. A 2012 article in the New York Times lauding uptalk noted how former US president George W. Bush sometimes used HRT when giving speeches during his time in office.

Sociolinguists, such as Robin T. Lakoff, have studied the impact of upspeak in the context of gender, noting how young women learn to incorporate subordinate speech patterns like uptalk to empower themselves in their work environments. Women may also use vocal fry—a vocal phenomenon characterized by a low, creaky register—as a means of empowerment.

Using upspeak in your interactions with colleagues and managers may come across as unprofessional in a workplace environment. The general view toward uptalk is that it lacks conviction and assertiveness, so increasing your tone at the end of a sentence can lead your colleagues to doubt what you’re saying.

However, uptalk may have a positive role in a work setting when you use it appropriately. For instance, incorporating upspeak into your conversation is a polite way to navigate constant interruptions from colleagues. You can also use upspeak to approach a topic in which you are not well-versed. Rather than pretending to understand a subject, use an increasing tonal pattern to demonstrate your willingness to learn and discuss the matter further. Uptalk has an invitational, non-argumentative tone that is productive when you use it moderately.

Upspeak starts with a flat, tonal pattern, but the pitch steadily increases as the statement progresses, indicating a question. Speakers use this speech pattern across situations, resulting in different conversational outcomes. Here are some examples:

1. 1. Uncertainty: For example, “The word ‘run’ is a verb?” This is a common occurrence among English as a second language (ESL) learners and native English speakers in school. While the sentence is a statement, it sounds like a question due to the high rising intonation from the speaker’s uncertainty. ESL learners often incorporate upspeak into their speech patterns to verify the grammatical accuracy of their statements.
2. 2. Confidence: For example, “I was hoping you’d review my work?” When team members lack confidence, they may use upspeak in work conversations. This statement should end with a period, but the rising tone indicates the speaker is doubtful of their work.
3. 3. Harmony: For example, “We should move forward with the deal?” You can use uptalk to create an implicit meaning and establish a consensus. In the business world, employers can use upspeak to undermine pushback and build agreement.
4. 4. Nervousness: For example, “Our research has been impactful?” You’ll often hear upspeak during a public speaking event, especially when the speaker is nervous. In this statement, the speaker’s nerves are undermining the research presentation. Learn how to speak confidently in public.

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