Qui est-ce ?

Even when she could talk, she'd always been soft-spoken.

It wasn't an issue of vocal cords or lung capacity. She just didn't like taking up space. Everyone occupies a certain amount of physical space according to their body mass, but voice travels far beyond that. She had no wish to disseminate her self.

Whether on the subway or in the street, in a café or restaurant, she never spoke in an unreservedly loud voice or called out after someone to get their attention. In every situation — the only exception was when she was lecturing — hers was the quietest voice in the room. Already very thin, she would hunch her shoulders and back so that her body took up less room. She understood humour and had quite a cheerful smile, but she laughed it was so low as to be barely audible.

Han Kang, Greek lessons, Penguin Bks, London, 2024, p. 37;