tension in the room

[Barnhart]

In reporting on the tension between the chairman of the Judiciary
Committee and the Attorney General, NPR this morning interviewed someone
(I think it was another reporter) about the exchanges between the two
people.  It reported that there is a "palpable tension in the room."  What
segmental or suprasegmental aspects in the exchange lead a person present
in the room to feel this tension while reading the transcript might not?
Is it like humor--all in the timing?

Regards,
David

barnhart at highlands.com

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