Difference between revisions of "Voice"
JDWpianist (talk | contribs) (added musical definition) |
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A '''voice''' is the [[sound]] or sounds projected by creatures, mainly [[human]]s, in the form of speaking, singing, screaming, shouting, etc. A voice is necessary for all spoken [[language]]s. | A '''voice''' is the [[sound]] or sounds projected by creatures, mainly [[human]]s, in the form of speaking, singing, screaming, shouting, etc. A voice is necessary for all spoken [[language]]s. | ||
| − | + | ==Grammar== | |
| − | + | In [[grammar]], "voice" also refers to a form of a [[verb]] that indicates whether the subject of the verb is an actor, patient, or recipient.<ref>[http://www.sil.org/LINGUISTICS/GlossaryOfLinguisticTerms/WhatIsVoice.htm What is voice?]</ref> The ''[[active voice]]'' indicates that the subject is acting (e.g., "I ate the sandwich"), whereas the ''[[passive voice]]'' indicates that the subject is being acted on (e.g., "The sandwich was eaten").<ref>[http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_vmood.html Verbs: Voice and Mood]</ref> Some languages also have a ''[[middle voice]],'' which indicates that the subject acts on himself or for his own benefit or that the plural subjects act on one another.<ref>[http://www.sil.org/LINGUISTICS/GlossaryOfLinguisticTerms/WhatIsMiddleVoice.htm What is middle voice?]</ref> | |
| − | + | ==Music== | |
In the [[music]]al sense, "voice" has two meanings. One denotes a [[singer]] or group of singers sharing a single line, used as a term in a musical score to distinguish it from other instruments. Another is a term used in [[polyphony]] to refer to the independent lines in a musical work, especially in [[fugue]]s. | In the [[music]]al sense, "voice" has two meanings. One denotes a [[singer]] or group of singers sharing a single line, used as a term in a musical score to distinguish it from other instruments. Another is a term used in [[polyphony]] to refer to the independent lines in a musical work, especially in [[fugue]]s. | ||
Revision as of 18:02, May 4, 2009
A voice is the sound or sounds projected by creatures, mainly humans, in the form of speaking, singing, screaming, shouting, etc. A voice is necessary for all spoken languages.
Grammar
In grammar, "voice" also refers to a form of a verb that indicates whether the subject of the verb is an actor, patient, or recipient.[1] The active voice indicates that the subject is acting (e.g., "I ate the sandwich"), whereas the passive voice indicates that the subject is being acted on (e.g., "The sandwich was eaten").[2] Some languages also have a middle voice, which indicates that the subject acts on himself or for his own benefit or that the plural subjects act on one another.[3]
Music
In the musical sense, "voice" has two meanings. One denotes a singer or group of singers sharing a single line, used as a term in a musical score to distinguish it from other instruments. Another is a term used in polyphony to refer to the independent lines in a musical work, especially in fugues.