The voice of speech in the digital world: aesthetic perspectives

Abstract

The article examines the transformation of the aesthetic characteristics of the speaking voice within the context of digital culture. The relevance of the study stems from the return of the voice to the focus of humanities scholarship, driven by advances in sound recording technologies, digital audio processing, and artificial intelligence, which are altering the status of the voice as a tool for communication and creativity. The aim of the work is to identify key trends in the changing aesthetic criteria for evaluating the voice, as well as to determine the new opportunities and risks emerging in the digital era. The author analyzes the historical dynamics of voice “training” and “cultivation” within theatrical and oratorical traditions. The article demonstrates how technical innovations (microphones, sound recording, digital processing) have transformed stage aesthetics, giving rise to the phenomenon of “whisper realism” and generating a demand for “sterile,” processed sound, which has led to the formation of a false ideal of the flawless voice. Particular attention is paid to the tension between the natural, emotionally saturated voice and artificially purified, technically processed sound, which creates the space of a “vocal simulacrum.” Three main trends of the digital age are identified: (1) the democratization of creativity, enabling the production of high-quality work without professional voice training; (2) aesthetic diversity, whereby the natural peculiarities of a voice may become an asset; (3) increasing demands for naturalness of sound against the backdrop of the proliferation of synthesized voices. The conclusion emphasizes that in the context of digital polyphony, the key challenge lies not only in expressing one’s own voice but also in cultivating the ability to hear the voices of others.