A “Polished Speaker” Always Does This!
Do you want to be called a “Polished Speaker?” One characteristic of a polished speaker is enunciating clearly!
The acceptable pronunciation of any word is determined exclusively by its usage in the general population. But a dictionary can be a valuable tool to learn how to pronounce words. Pronunciation in the dictionary is represented by symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). If you’re not familiar with IPA, each symbol in the IPA stands for one sound. This is different from our regular alphabet in which one symbol stands for many sounds. For instance, the sound /a/ can be produced as in bad, bade, and ball. Mastering the IPA system will assist you in many ways, particularly when you need to look up a word.
It is important to become aware of your speech patterns and determine your pronunciation. Record yourself reading a passage and then listen to it. What mistakes are you making? Can you hear all the sounds in words? Are you saying endings completely? Circle the words that give you problems. Read them out loud making sure that every vowel and consonant is produced. Now read the paragraph again with the recorder on and make sure that every sound is clear and distinct. You may need to slow down to say every word clearly.
What can we do to ensure that we pronounce words correctly?
• Put endings on words.
• Lengthen the vowels of stressed words.
• Over-articulate or exaggerate your sounds and words.
Errors can be corrected with commitment, determination, and daily practice. Without clear diction, you risk being perceived as uneducated and not very credible.
Tags: diction, enunciation, executive leaders speaking, polished speaking, professionalism, pronunciation