Speech

OMG…How Social Media is Impacting Language

There’s no denying that the Internet and social media have had a profound impact on our lives, transforming the way we interact with each other. From Facebook to Twitter and Instagram, social media platforms allow us to easily share our thoughts and photos with our family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances quickly.

The result? An ever-increasing speed of communication. Written exchanges on social media are concise and shared between all the friends you are connected with. Together with this, we have seen an increasing use of abbreviations and acronyms to help us to say more on social media. For example, Twitter’s 140 character restriction literally forces you to be brief in the way you communicate.

English is constantly evolving. These social media short-forms have not only altered our vocabulary, but have gained mainstream recognition through their entry into the Oxford English Dictionary. Let’s check them out.

• AFK (Away from keyboard)
• BFF (Best friends forever)
• BRB (Be right back)
• FYI (For your information)
• IMHO (In my humble opinion)
• LOL (Laugh out loud)
• OMG (Oh my God)
• ROFL (Rolling on the floor laughing)
• TMI (Too much information)
• TTYL (Talk to you later)

How many of them do you know?

Reference:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/24/lol-omg-oxford-english-dictionary_n_840229.html

Has social media changed the way we speak and write English?

Image source: http://www.fondation-lamap.org/fr/page/35586/comment-avoir-des-connaissances-nous-aide-les-savoirs-accelerent-et-renforcent-la

Globish makes the world go round

globish-differenceSometimes, it’s tempting to use complicated terms, industry jargon or big words to impress clients. But there’s a good chance you’ll end up confusing them instead, especially if English is not their native tongue. If your aim is to be understood, then simple English is the way to go. In fact, that is the very reason why Globish was developed by Frenchman Jean-Paul Nerrière – to make communication easier with the use of standard English grammar and a list of just 1,500 words.

 

Here is an example of how you can try using simple English (or Globish) to allow the masses to understand what you wish to say effortlessly:

 

Complicated English Simple English – Globish
Our newly introduced phone plan entitles people from all walks of life to many discounts which should not be missed. Terms and conditions apply.

 

 Our new phone plan entitles people to discounts. Terms and conditions apply.
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I stand here today full of respect for the work before us. I want to thank you for the trust you have given, and I remember the sacrifices made by our ancestors.

 

Of course, you need not limit yourself to the 1,500 Globish words but your customers, regardless of nationality, will appreciate your concerted efforts to make things easy for them to understand. Try using Globish next time in your communication and see if you’re able to be better understood by your customers, your suppliers and even your employees.

 

Image Source:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/539939442798946277/

Let’s Face It − English Is A Crazy Language

quirks-of-english

English is a bizarre language, full of funny quirks. For how do you explain the fact that there is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger? Not only that, English is full of paradoxes…

  • We find that boxing rings are square and quicksand can work slowly.
  • Isn’t it baffling that writers write, but hammers don’t ham?
  • Why is it that a slim chance and a fat chance are the same thing, but a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?
  • Doesn’t it seem crazy that the plural of goose is geese, but the plural of moose is not meese?
  • Isn’t it weird that we talk of a brother and brethren, but although we say mother, we never say methren?

Ah, the delightful idiosyncrasies of the English language − a language with so many rules and far too many exceptions.

 

 

Reference:

https://www.netjeff.com/humor/item.cgi?file=english.txt

Image source:

https://twitter.com/grammarly/status/531929579523293185

So, You’ve Been Asked To Give A Speech…

Giving speechGiving a speech can be a nerve-racking experience. But with diligent preparation and careful thought in crafting out your speech, you can get a leg up on delivering a great speech. Want to know what it takes to write an effective speech? One that will not only grab your audiences’ attention, but also leave them on the edge of their seats? Let’s check it out.  

Craft a Memorable Opening

The start of your speech is when the audience is most receptive. So, seize that opportunity to create a memorable opening, as it helps to engage your listeners early. Tell a humorous anecdote that illustrates a key point in your speech. Share a shocking fact or statistic.

Focus on a Few Key Points 

Don’t try to put too many ideas into your speech. Research shows that people remember very little from speeches, so stick to just two or three takeaways that your audience can bring back at the end of the day.

Write Like You Talk

Remember, you’re writing a speech that people will hear, not an article for them to read. So adopting a conversational tone would make it easier for your audience to follow your speech. Use short sentences. It’s better to write two simple sentences than one long, complicated sentence. Also, avoid using big words. Keep the language simple, like how you would when talking to someone.  

Repeat Yourself

Have you ever sat through a speech, and somewhere along the way your mind starts to drift off? We’ve all been there. In speech-writing, repetition is one of the keys to leaving an impression. Drive home key words, phrases and themes. Always look to tie back and reinforce earlier points in your speech. Repeating critical points can help your audience to remember key ideas.

End Strong 

The fact is, the concluding portion of your speech is what your audience will remember as they leave the room. So recap your biggest takeaway. Tie everything together. Share a success story. Make a call to action. End with a memorable quote.

So, keep these tips in mind when preparing for your next speech, and leave your audience spellbound.