Concept in Definition ABC

The term speaker is the name given to the person who is dedicated to the presentation and announcement of people, situations, advertisements, events in mass media such as radio, television or even in public shows. The voiceover career is an official career in many countries, although it also happens as with many things in the show business that there are many people who exercise it without having the title or without being fully prepared to it.

While it may seem like a simple activity, the announcer's task requires a lot of preparation and dedication, especially when it comes to handling the voice, timing, silences and the sounds.

The word announcer comes from Latin and literally means the speaker. In this sense, there are several derived words, such as interlocutor, parlor or ventriloquist.

It is common to find announcers on many television programs, on all radio programs, and at many public events where the presenters are also announcers. One of the most notable characteristics of an announcer is the use of a very particular voice register, with excellent diction, low tones and a lot of ease to highlight, accentuate or make each word stand out in a way different. It is common, however, that they occupy a secondary role in many programs since they are not usually seen and they remain hidden or off camera.

The radio professional

This professional activity is normally carried out by a journalist. On the radio the announcer has to read news, moderate debates or do interviews with all kinds of characters. His voice and language skills are his main working tools. Whoever engages in this activity has to read fluently, as if he were telling something naturally.

It is advisable for this professional to have a suggestive voice and a clear diction. With regard to language, in most cases a standard modality of a language and no vulgar or colloquial slang or expressions are used. To carry out his work, the announcer normally uses a script in which the different sections of the program are indicated.

Television voice

In this media all the features of the radio can be applied. However, as it is a visual medium, it is necessary for the announcer to have a good image in front of the cameras.

In television, the use of the word announcer is not common, since the term presenter is used more.

Sports announcers are part of the show

The sport it is a show and to talk about it it is very convenient for the announcer to incorporate a passionate element in the narration of it. The professionals do not limit themselves to describing what happens in a dispassionate and objective way, but they try to energize the show in a vibrant and energetic way.

Sports announcers have to be agile in their appreciations, original in the description of the plays and fast at the time of analyze the sets of a game or sporting event. These qualities are especially important in radio, as the listener must see the discipline sports through the words of the announcer.

In the world of football, these professionals resort to exclamations and screams full of emotional intensity and a simple goal can become a gooooool full of Energy and vitalism.

Because each speaker manages a particular voice register and their way of expressing themselves, it is easy to distinguish each one after listening to them for a while. Announcers are very important when it comes to presenting programs, events, as well as questions such as advertisements, phenomena for which they are usually called for having much more capacity to attract the attention public. Announcers may also have the task of having to translate live from one language to another and have the same ideas communicated.