Awakening the great speaker within (Part 1)

Elliot Ziwira Senior Writer

In each one of us is a great speaker lying idle and crying out to be heard. Because speaking is a life skill that can only be taken for granted at one’s peril, the speaker within should be given a chance to come out. The world waits with bated breath for that special guest.

The whole purpose of learning any language is not to prepare candidates for examinations, but to enable them to respond effectively to any speech or listening situation that they may come across in their everyday interactions with fellow citizens.

Due to habitual shortcomings, we usually write what we speak, and that also is an extension of our own attitudes and emotions. It is, therefore, pertinent that we develop speaking as a skill to strengthen our resolve in fostering strong relations through oral and written communication.

Who is called the speaker?

The speaker is the one who initiates the speaking process, so he/she should have all, or most of the following:

· Knowledge of the communication purpose

· Knowledge of the subject

· Command of speech skills

· Attitudes towards self, listener or subject

· Command of words and body language

· Confidence in the speech

· Good eye contact.

The speaker’s purpose in communication

The best way of learning any language, English included, is speaking it. The English language should be learned to be used, and not to be kept on a piece of paper as a passed subject.

Because the speaker plays a pivotal role in a speech situation, he/she influences the process in the following ways:

· She/he has to achieve some purpose or attain a goal

· Has to be sociable or friendly

· She/he seeks to alter the listener’s cherished values or move him/her to an action

· She/he has to reinforce an existing attitude

· Has to resolve a conflict

· Poses a question requiring a specific answer

· Has to explain a problem

· Tests an idea

· Establishes or maintains a status.

The speaker’s knowledge of the subject

Your knowledge of the subject and command of speech skills affect the nature of what you intend to express. Those around you can easily tell whether you know what you are saying or not. You are also likely to lose your confidence if your knowledge on a particular subject is shallow or limited. Thorough knowledge of the subject will help you to communicate clearly and convey the beliefs, ideas and values you hold dear. It will also help you in presenting your ideas logically and coherently.

Besides your knowledge of the subject, your ability to use your voice and body language will go a long way in your expression of ideas both orally and visually.

The speaker’s attitude

What you think about something or someone is considered as your attitude; and it has a bearing on what you say and how you say it. Your attitude towards yourself, listeners and subject affects the outcome of the speech process in a two-fold way.

The information that you convey is a product of your attitude, which may either be negative or positive.

Your attitude towards the self can affect your speech in many ways. If you consider yourself to be below average, unsuccessful and disliked, you will not only perform dismally, because of your low self-esteem, but you will become subdued, moody and closed-up. Consequently, this will affect you in and outside the classroom or workplace.

A negative attitude often results in ideas advanced in a random or confused manner. The voice becomes unsteady, the body stiff and gaze shifted away from the audience.

All this robs you of your confidence: your major weapon in effective speaking, without which you are doomed.

On the other hand, a positive attitude appeals more to the audience, since fear and reluctance are replaced by self-assurance.

In all speech processes, the speaker speaks from a certain status, or takes a role position as you may be aware of from your own experiences. It is this role play that leads to a particular attitude towards listeners. Different scenarios call for different perceptions.

The following may be some of the situations that you find yourself partaking in:

· Seller and buyer

· Parent and child

· Teacher and pupil

· Boss and subordinate

· Stranger and friend

· husband and wife

· Brother and sister

· Doctor and patient

NB: As we speak to different individuals in equally different contexts, we need to relate accordingly to the subject matters. If we have a negative attitude depending on our role positions, we are likely to affect the speech process as antagonism may be prevalent. A positive attitude towards listeners always solicits a positive response.

Your attitude towards the subject may also affect your delivery as well as the audience’s response. The subject is the reason for communicating in the first place, therefore, its impartation should not be sallied by your attitude. Your attitude colours and conditions the ideas you present and the language in which you express them.

A subject may be seen as boring, interesting, pertinent, crucial, trivial, true or false depending on the speaker’s attitude and presentation.

To be continued next week. . .