Congratulations on Michelle Yeoh being the first Asian woman to win an Oscar!

Michelle Yeoh is a world-renowned actress known for her roles in popular films such as “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “Memoirs of a Geisha.” However, what many people may not know is that Yeoh also has a unique idiolect, or individual way of speaking.

Yeoh was born in Malaysia and grew up speaking English, Cantonese, and Malay. Her idiolect reflects this diverse linguistic background, with a mixture of British and Asian accents and speech patterns.

One notable feature of Yeoh’s idiolect is her intonation, which often includes rising and falling tones that are common in Cantonese and other Asian languages. This can give her speech a musical quality and make it sound more melodic.

Yeoh’s idiolect also incorporates elements of British English, which she learned while studying in the UK. This can be heard in her pronunciation of certain words, such as “bath” (which she pronounces with a short “a” sound, as in “cat”).

In addition to these linguistic features, Yeoh’s idiolect also reflects her personal style and demeanor. She is known for speaking with confidence and authority, using a clear and precise speaking style that commands attention.

Overall, Yeoh’s idiolect is a reflection of her diverse cultural background and personal style. While it may not conform to standard linguistic norms, it is an important part of her identity and has helped to make her a beloved and respected figure in the entertainment industry.

In honor of Michelle Yeoh’s 2023 Oscar for Best Actress (the first time it has been won by an Asian), I want to share with you how I listen to people’s individual speech patters, or idiolects.

Specifically, I point out pronunciation or articulation differences between how Michelle Yeoh and I speak.

I show you how to listen and notice differences in your jaw, tongue, and lips when producing vowels, voicing using your vocal folds, Rs in different accents in English, Regular Ls vs Dark Ls, how much air comes out in your plosive sounds (P, T, and K), syllable stress, linking sounds together, and how some consonants blend together or might form something new.

There are two other things that aren’t related to pronunciation that we can notice in Michelle Yeoh if we listen for them: her placement (head voice) and her oral posture.

You can listen to the episode on Captivate or watch it on YouTube.