Uses of LanguageThe Speech Process Nonverbally

Language Has Power!

Popular Saying, “Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”

Question:

Who feels that words determine meaning?

“Words do not have meaning, people have meaning”

Denotative Meaning- Literal Meaning of a Word. “Dictionary Definition”

Connotative Meaning- Personal, Subjective reaction to a word based on your frame of reference of experiences.

Word- Cat

Denotative Meaning- a small domesticated carnivore bred in a number of varieties

Connotative Meaning- Cute, cuddly, loveable, fun or stinky, mean, dirty, ugly.

Bad Example- “Mom, I have to go real bad, where is the laboratory?”

Good Example- “Mom, I have to go real bad, where is the lavatory?”

Be clear, concrete and specific.

Avoid vagueness, equivocation and abstraction.

Equivocation example- “The Pigs were out last night.”

Abstraction Hypothetical- Out Very Late

Help your audience picture what you are talking about!

I am generally hungry as a bear!

Avoid any potentially offensive words to your audience!

Avoid Stereotyping!

Use Names that Groups Use to Identify Themselves Currently!

Use your Common Sense!

Speech Delivery is very much Nonverbal Communication.

What are these speakers showing?

Dress Effectively and Appropriately Step up to Speak with Confidence Get Set Up before speaking Establish and Maintain eye contact Begin without looking at notes Stand and move effectively Don’t pack up early.

Utilize Vocal Variety, tone, rate, pitch, volume, etc.

Use proper vocabulary, enunciation and

pronunciation

Speak with enthusiasm and sincerity

Speak loud enough for all to hear

Avoid disfluencies and vocal interruptions

Nervousness and Anxiety are natural.

Studied for years and no certain answers but practice will help along with experience.

Presentation probably will not be perfect, understand and accept that.

Have fun!!!