Why language is so important

While it may be fun to use obscene language in casual conversations with your friends, we cannot recommend using obscene language while delivering a speech. Whether we agree with societal perceptions of obscenity, going out of our way to use obscenity will end up focusing the audience on the obscenity and not on our message. Obscure language and jargon are two terms that closely relate to each other. Obscure language Language choices that are not typically understood or known by most of your audience.

In the case of this example, plethora simply means the speaker has given many ideas for greening the workplace. Jargon Language that is commonly used by a highly specialized group, trade, or profession.

For example there is legal jargon, or the language commonly used by and understood by lawyers. There is also medical jargon, or the language commonly used by and understood by health care practitioners. Every group, trade, or profession will have its own specific jargon. The problem that occurs for many speakers is not realizing that jargon is group, trade, or profession specific and not universal.

Another form of jargon is initialism, formed by pronouncing the initials rather than the name of an organization or other entity. If you are going to use a specific acronym or initialism within your speech, you need to explain it the first time you use it. For example, you could say,. According to the United States Code of Federal Regulations, or CFR, employment discrimination in the Department of Homeland Security is not allowed based on biological sex, religion, sexual orientation, or race.

Furthermore, the US CFR does not permit discrimination in receiving contracts based on biological sex, religion, sexual orientation, or race.

By defining the jargon upon first mention, we are subsequently able to use the jargon because we can be certain the audience now understands the term. DeVito examined how language can be used to help people gain power over others or lose power over others DeVito, J.

The interpersonal communication book 12th ed. In many ways, variety encompasses all the characteristics of language previously discussed in this chapter.

Often speakers find one language device and then beat it into the ground like a railroad spike. Unfortunately, when a speaker starts using the same language device too often, the language device will start to lose the power that it may have had.

For this reason, we recommend that you always think about the language you plan on using in a speech and make sure that you use a range of language choices. Instead of going to the library, he went to a party over the weekend. Instead of finding supporting evidence, he went to the movies with his best friend. He creates a number of interesting similes and metaphors.

He makes sure that his speech has a fun rhythm to it and has some great instances of alliteration. Upon finishing his preparation, Jonathan thinks to himself, Well, the speech may have no content, but no one will really notice. Jenny was conversing with Darlene about her pet rabbit. Jenny grew up in the country and remembers raising rabbits for food for her pet snake, whereas Darlene remembers having pet rabbits her whole life.

Which of the following is not an example of inclusive language? Which of the following phrases is an example of the powerless form of language known as a hesitation?

Previous Chapter. Table of Contents. Next Chapter. Chapter 13 The Importance of Language Language Matters Ask any professional speaker or speech writer, and they will tell you that language matters.

Abraham Lincoln. Theodore Roosevelt. Franklin Delano Roosevelt. John F. Explain the difference between denotative and connotative definitions. Understand how denotative and connotative definitions can lead to misunderstandings.

Differentiate between oral and written language. Basic Functions of Language Language Any formal system of gestures, signs, sounds, or symbols, used or conceived as a means of communicating thought. Denotative Meaning Denotative meaning The common agreed-upon meaning of a word that is often found in dictionaries. Twelve Ways Oral and Written Language Differ A second important aspect to understand about language is that oral language used in public speaking and written language used for texts does not function the same way.

McCroskey, Wrench, and Richmond highlighted the following twelve differences that exist between oral and written language: Oral language has a smaller variety of words. Oral language has words with fewer syllables. Oral language has shorter sentences. Oral language has more self-reference words I , me , mine.

Oral language has fewer quantifying terms or precise numerical words. Oral language has more pseudoquantifying terms many , few , some. Oral language has more extreme and superlative words none , all , every , always , never. Oral language has more qualifying statements clauses beginning with unless and except. Oral language has more repetition of words and syllables. Oral language uses more contractions.

Oral language has more colloquial and nonstandard words. McCroskey, J. Principles of public speaking. Key Takeaways Language is important in every aspect of our lives because it allows people to communicate in a manner that enables the sharing of common ideas.

Denotative definitions are the agreed-upon meanings of words that are often found in dictionaries, whereas connotative definitions involve individual perceptions of words.

Misunderstandings commonly occur when the source of a message intends one denotative or connotative meaning and the receiver of the message applies a different denotative or connotative meaning to the same word or words. Oral language is designed to be listened to and to sound conversational, which means that word choice must be simpler, more informal, and more repetitive. Written language uses a larger vocabulary and is more formal.

Exercises Find a magazine article and examine its language choices. Think of a situation in your own life where denotative or connotative meanings led to a conflict. Why do you think you and the other person had different associations of meaning? Read a short newspaper article. Take that written article and translate it into language that would be orally appropriate.

What changes did you make to adjust the newspaper article from written to oral language? Orally present the revised article to a classmate or friend.

Were you successful in adapting your language to oral style? Explain what is meant by vivid language. Define inclusive language and explain why using it is important for public speakers. Explain the importance of using familiar language in public speaking. Use Appropriate Language As with anything in life, there are positive and negative ways of using language.

Appropriate for the Speaker One of the first questions to ask yourself is whether the language you plan on using in a speech fits with your own speaking pattern. Appropriate for the Audience The second aspect of appropriateness asks whether the language you are choosing is appropriate for your specific audience. Appropriate for the Context The next question about appropriateness is whether the language you will use is suitable or fitting for the context itself.

Appropriate for the Topic The fourth and final question about the appropriateness of language involves whether the language is appropriate for your specific topic. Check out the graphic below that shows how language has evolved over time! Cultural identity is heavily dependent on a number of factors including ethnicity, gender, geographic location, religion, language, and so much more. This connection is such an important part of cultural exchange — check out this list of useful phrases from the Greenheart Club!

Watch the video below for inspiration — this 17 year old speaks over 20 languages! Feeling up for the task? Watching movies or TV in different languages is a great way to start. What are some ways that you connect with people cross-culturally? Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Become a Host Family for an exchange student!

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When the brain dies, the mind and consciousness of the being to whom that brain belonged ceases to exist. In other words, without a brain, there can be no consciousness. The one that comes immediately to mind is language.

Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. Press ESC to cancel. Skip to content Home Essay Why is language so important to the power and control of a country? Ben Davis May 8, Why is language so important to the power and control of a country?

It is supposed to improve both your ability to focus and multi-task. Bilingual elders, on the other hand, are more resistant to dementia and Alzheimers — both diseases that are characterized by diminishing cognitive functions.

With the world becoming more and more globalized, language skills are considered essential for enabling children to succeed in the future. While students can and often do study the language of the country they are in while they are there, it gives them a little edge when it comes to adjusting if they are already familiar with a language other than their native tongue. When it comes to the STEM fields, knowing another language — specifically English — is very important. These fields use a lot of English terminology.

Also, most scientific papers and journals are still published in English. When you travel, you want to be able to have new experiences in a culture that is not necessarily your own.

It has two official languages, Spanish and English. Both these languages are used in official government transactions and are taught in schools. This means they speak Spanish mostly in their daily lives, despite many learning to speak English. You might not get a real answer if you ask the vendor how that carving was created and if you try and ask kids in the street what they are playing, they might just run away giggling. You have a better chance of making friends if you speak their language rather than expect them to understand yours.

If you travel for business or want to work abroad, being able to speak a second language is also beneficial. Being able to communicate with people from around the globe is becoming more and more important in business.

Being able to communicate clearly with clients in a language they understand ensures there are no misunderstandings, everyone gets what they want, and builds a stable business relationship. Take Japan for example, many big companies consider English language skills important — this goes for Japanese and foreign employees.

English skills are actually a consideration more than ability to speak Japanese in a foreign employee, though learning Japanese can help as well. English is not the national language or the official language of Japan but it is taught in schools and English-language centers and tutors abound.

So if you want to learn English because you are doing business in Japan, it could help as this is the language that will be used in the boardroom and during meetings.