Title
Summary
In this article, we explore the challenges of impersonating iconic political figures and the importance of oral posture and prosodic features in accurately portraying their voices. The article discusses various portrayals of President John F. Kennedy, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump by different impersonators.
Table of Contents
- Portrayals of President John F. Kennedy
- Oral Posture and Prosodic Features in Impersonations
- Impersonations of Barack Obama
- Bill Murray’s Portrayal of FDR
- Comedians’ Impressions of Donald Trump
Portrayals of President John F. Kennedy
The article discusses the challenges of impersonating President John F. Kennedy’s iconic voice, particularly his non-rhotic speech pattern where he did not pronounce R’s after vowel sounds. The writer notes the importance of oral posture and hesitation sounds in accurately portraying Kennedy’s voice.
Oral Posture and Prosodic Features in Impersonations
The article highlights the importance of oral posture and prosodic features in accurately portraying political figures’ voices. The writer notes George W. Bush’s oral posture, conveying a sense of decisiveness, and comments on Will Ferrell’s fine observations in his impression of Bush.
Impersonations of Barack Obama
The article discusses Devin Terrell’s portrayal of a younger Barack Obama, noting his use of prosodic features such as rhythm and intonation to evoke the famous voice without going for an uncanny impression. The writer finds Terrell’s performance extra impressive as he is Australian and had to learn to play left-handed for the role.
Bill Murray’s Portrayal of FDR
The article explores Bill Murray’s portrayal of FDR and the importance of vowel sounds in accurately capturing the president’s voice. The writer notes Murray’s attention to detail in his impression, such as the way FDR pronounced the word “four.”
Comedians’ Impressions of Donald Trump
The article explores various comedians’ impressions of Donald Trump, including Taron Killam, Daryl Hammond, and Jimmy Fallon. The writer notes the importance of capturing Trump’s unique speaking style, including his use of repetition and exaggerated hand gestures.
Conclusion
As President John F. Kennedy once said, “Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer.” Similarly, in the world of impersonations, it is important to not only capture the physical resemblance of a political figure but also their unique voice and mannerisms. By paying attention to oral posture and prosodic features, impersonators can create accurate and memorable portrayals of iconic figures.
