original. If not kept in the same rhythm, the listener becomes immediately aware of a discontinuity of
rhythm and the impact of the piece is lost.
f. Word inflection problems. When pronouncing words, inflection always gives them definite
meanings which apply only in the context in which those words are used. Inflection poses a problem in
editing that can be almost insurmountable. It is very difficult to use a heavily inflected word or phrase
except in its natural context. Speech may be cut abruptly after a heavily inflected word by these rules of
exception:
(1) A sudden noise (like a cough or click).
(2) Sudden applause.
(3) Another speaker interrupting.
(4) The safest way to edit speech complicated by inflections is to avoid cutting after an
inflection unless the next word can be voiced naturally. If it cannot be voiced naturally, interrupt by the
insertion of some short extraneous, but believable sound.
g. Edit from sound to sound. When editing, cut from the beginning of one word to the
beginning sound of the next word to be retained. For example, in this sentence: "Editing according to
the rules we are following is not difficult", the obvious ways to eliminate the qualifying phrase
"according to the rules we are following" would be to cut from just before "according" to just before
"is". There is another way to edit this sentence; that is to cut in the middle of the "ng" in "following".
This cutting within sound is a professional refinement in editing both speech and music. The technique
is used frequently in many cases where a speaker garbles a word and abruptly corrects himself. It can
also be used to correct a bar or two of music by inserting the corrected piece, recorded after the original
was completed.
(1) In using normal editing technique to correct a mispronounced or garbled word that is
immediately corrected by the speaker, one cannot produce a smooth edit. It will sound edited because
the piece is left with a heavily accented word (the correction), but with no indication why. By cutting
within sound edit from the good part of the mispronounced word to the accented part of the corrected
word.
(2) An example of this method: "The President returned to Wash lig -Washington - by train."
If one cuts from the middle of the "sh" sound in "washlig" to the same point in "Washington", there will
be a perfectly natural "Washington" with normal accent and emphasis. By cutting within sound, the
possible addition of editing noise is avoided. Any noise created by the splice is drowned out in the
sound.
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