Sprechstimme

English

Etymology

From German Sprechstimme.

Noun

Sprechstimme (uncountable)

1. A dramatic vocal style midway between speaking and singing.
   • 1999 March 20, Bradley Bambarger, Billboard, Innocent When You Dream, Orion Books 2006, page 208:

     The woozy “Black Market Baby” and spooky sprechstimme of “What's He Building?” are prime latter-day Waits, as are a host of other numbers that sound like work songs bellowed down a Tin Pan Alley.

Synonyms

• Sprechgesang