Mumbling & Bumbling Are Life Fails

Not everyone needs a booming voice.  There's arguably room for all speaking tones (someone's gotta be the voice of our beloved cartoon characters).  Here's my two cents....communication is a two way street.  The speaker has as much responsibility to be clear and articulate as the listener has in giving you their attention.  

There are different degrees of this formula, depending on comfort level, atmosphere, content, etc etc (business convo, talking with your homies, working out a disagreement, sharing secrets, etc).  When the speaker is mumbling or talking in such low volume, I'm working that much harder to stay in the conversation (and stay INTERESTED).  If you can't speak with clarity, I'm no longer interested in hearing your message.  My mind drifts to my grocery list, who's birthday is coming up next, my husband's work schedule or my pending trip to the Atlanta Walker Stalker convention. 

Don't get me started on pregnant pauses in convo or overuse of "uhhhhh".  Whether you're doing it for affect or you've lost your train of thought (happens to us all), it's perfectly normal and is acceptable in small doses.  If you say "uhhhh" repeatedly in covno, well, it's time someone told you.  You are boring.  No one wants to hang around while you continually try to kick start your brain.  If you pause repeatedly for affect in convo, well, it's time someone told you.  You are full of yourself.  Excessive pregnant pauses don't actually build suspense, they prompt disinterest. 
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I read somewhere you have approx. 10-60 seconds to grab someone's attention, or you've lost them.  That point was later reinforced by life experiences.  I don't have sources to tag.  Do your own experiment with it.  All I'm saying is you have a responsibility to be interesting and clear if you expect someone's undivided attention.   Or do like Fetty Wap and have a good beat backing up your nonsensical mumbling.  People will stick around for a good beat, any day!