Why do Americans speak so loudly?

Question

I am very fond of Americans and generally find them to be very nice people, but why oh why are they so loud. There is no need to shout!

No, I am not American; I am from Northern Ireland. I know this is a bit of a stereotype, but in my personal experience it’s a true one!

Answer 1

They are used to it, they don't really notice. I mean, not all of them speak loud, of course. But they are easily recognised when they go to Europe because they speak louder than Europeans. It's cultural. But it's true that it can be annoying when they do it in your own country. I find it annoying when I can hear people's conversations in the bus or the train (young people tend to do that), abive all when I'm trying to read.

Africans also speak loud. I've just learnt why, actually. It's because they use their stomach and not their throat to talk. My singing teacher explained that to me because you're supposed to sing with your stomach, and not use your throat. It's the proper way to speak, actually. You won't necessarily speak loud, but then again, it's cultural.

So, basically, apart from it being a cultural habit, I don't think there is another explanation for your question.

Answer 2

American people are always loud. if they're in a crowd you can hear them a mile away... it's all they do all day... Most of the Americans shout. It's just a habit they do... Some say it's because they use technology all day long... partly that's true but others say it's because they're so use to speaking loudly that they do it without even noticing...

Answer 3

The loudness or softness of a peoples speech depends upon their culture, how their fathers and forefathers talked. It is all relative. If in your home country, people tend to speak at a softer level, you interpret an American's speech as loud. If in your home country, it is part of the culture for people to speak louder, you interpret the sound level of our speech as too soft.

As a person born and raised in America, the loudness or softness of our speaking, is just right. What you are experiencing is called ethno centrism, the idea that what is in your culture is right and the best, only because it is "your" culture.

The problem with this is that you are critical of what people in other countries do, just because it's different. One of the beauties of America is that we have so many people of different cultures, and we all get along pretty well.

Answer 4

Some do and some don't, but my experience is that there are lots of shouters from other countries, especially the Middle-East and Latin America-there is an intensity in the men and they can be very loud.
There are some loud people and some soft spoken people in every culture. You are probably experiencing the loud ones because the soft spoken ones are, well, tucked away and being quiet, like me.

Answer 5

Speakers of American English speak more from the diaphragm than speakers of other languages. We need to take in more air while speaking because we need more air to do the stress and pitch changes required in American English, and because the places where we pause to take in air are very important. We can't just take a breath wherever we want to like some speakers of other languages. Since we are using more air, we speak louder than speakers of other languages. It's not shouting.

Answer 6

Because they're so used to warfare and making the best out of their weapons of mass destruction that they assume the whole world to be a noise place.
P.S.: When you say "Americans" are you referring to USans, right? I ask this because there are at least 32 or 31 different American nationalities the world over and most of them are rather quiet and easy going people!

Answer 7

Because a lot of Americans think that since you're from another country you don't understand English. I know, I know, it's stupid. But not a lot of people do it, I have friends from Spain, Sweden, all over, and I don't speak any louder when I talk to them. I guess it just depends on the person.

Answer 8

I dont think they speak that loud, they are expressive like when they say a bad word or something like OH MY GOD !!!.

They or some of them are very expressive but not loud.

I used to work in a japanese and american factory, and for me the japaneses were more loud than the americans.

Answer 9

Some are just stupid. They get used to talking on cell phones and in crowded places and think they always have to shout. I think it's funny when Americans yell at someone who doesn't speak English thinking it will help them understand what they are saying. I'm American but it still makes me laugh.

Answer 10

that's slightly demanding for individuals like myself to understand what you're speaking about, till we've been contained in the precedence the position we've been the loud talkers. perchance that's because we are so used to desiring to communicate over one yet another at the same time as in tremendous communities. perchance we are so free and open that we do not comprehend we are speaking loudly at the same time as to us, that's commonplace to talk so openly the position others can hear. i am going to make certain what you recommend quickly adequate, i'm headed to Korea for decades quickly!