BCA The Speech Process Study Material Notes

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BCA The Speech Process Study Material Notes

BCA The Speech Process Study Material Notes: The speech prices the message audience speech style encoding feedback conversation and oral skills types of conversation formal ana informal strategies for good conversation improving fluency and self-expression articulation good pronunciation voice quality accent and intonation Body language eye contact facial expression gestures posture and body movements.

BCA The Speech Process Study Material Notes
BCA The Speech Process Study Material Notes

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THE SPEECH PROCESS

Like listening, speaking is crucial to effective communication. Students need to interact orally with their teachers and classmates, make explanations during tutorials and practical sessions, take part in seminars and workshops, technical presentations, academic discussions, academic interactions, viva voce tests, and so on. On the other hand, professionals in different fields are required to take part in discussions, meetings, conferences, seminars, business presentations,  style, success in the highly competitive environment of today will depend not just on the audience, encoding professional knowledge but also on the ability to present that knowledge in an and feedback appropriate oral form.

Speaking is the purposeful process by which people, using audible and visible symbols, communicate meaning in the minds of their listeners. It is flexible, changing, as well as complex and varied. Whether it is an informal conversation or a very formal business meeting, the function of oral communication is creating messages that stimulate in listeners’ meanings that bring about the desired change in their understanding or opinions. Let us look more closely at the speech process (Figure 6.1).

As noted earlier, speaking is an interactive communicative process that involves speakers and listeners. While communicating a message orally, the speaker is concerned with five factors, that is, message. the audience, speech style, message encoding, and feedback.

The Message

The speech process begins with the selection of a message. The message includes everything that the speaker does or says, both verbally and non-verbally. Here, the speaker is concerned with the content of the specific message that he/she wants to convey. It consists of the ‘what’ of oral communication. The speaker’s knowledge, experiences, abilities, and the overall objectives of speaking generally determine the scope of the message’. The speaker should be clear about what message he/she wants to get across. In order to make a message have the desired impact, its content must be clear and relevant. In a professional situation, selecting a message might involve finding and selecting a subject or general topic, and deciding about the type, scope, and sources of information.

The Audience To be an effective speaker, familiarity with one’s audience is necessary. The more formal the speaking situation, the more important it is for the speaker to know his/her listeners in order to decide how to present his/her ideas. Professional situations such as seminars, conferences, meetings, discussions, job interviews, and so on demand a careful audience analysis that might involve answering the following questions:

Who are the listeners?

What is their age, sex, educational background, and so forth?

Why will they listen to the speaker?

What is their knowledge about the topic/subject under consideration?

What are their personal and professional needs?

What do they expect from the speaker?

The Speech Style

Speech style is the manner in which the content of the speech is presented. It is the manner of speaking, It could be very formal, as in a technical seminar, or very informal, as in a casual conversation. It depends on the purpose of speaking and the relation between the speaker and the listeners. A person discussing an academic topic with his class teacher would like to be polite and formal. On the other hand, he/she can afford to be informal if he/she is going to discuss the same topic with his/her friend. However most of the time we may choose a style that falls between these two extremes. We should choose a style that is appropriate to the type and nature of our content, the audience, as well as the occasion and setting

The Speech Process

Encoding

Encoding in oral communication involves selecting a language, an appropriate oral form, and positive non-verbal signals. Verbal messages need a common language code, which the listener may easily decode. If the listener cannot understand the message, communication fails. For example, the speaker cannot speak in Bengali with a person who does not understand Bengali. If the speaker and his listeners use the same language as Li, it may be used in informal situations. However, English should be used in formal situations.

While communicating orally, we may have the option to choose an appropriate oral form. These options include face-to-face interpersonal communication (meetings, conferences, group discussions, panel discussions, interviews) or speaker-audience communication (speeches, debates, seminars, workshops, symposia), electronic communication (teleconferencing and videoconferencing) or telephonic communication.

Encoding in speaking also involves using non-verbal signals. Non-verbal communication includes gestures, facial expressions, body movement, and posture.

Feedback

Feedback is the process through which the speaker receives information about how his/her message has been received by the listeners and his/her response to those cues. The feedback process is not complete until the speaker has responded to the listener.

Progress Check 1

Which of the following statements about the speech process is True? (a) Speaking is an interactive communicative process that involves speakers and listeners. (b) The function of oral communication is to create messages that stimulate listeners’ meanings and

bring about the desired change in their understanding or opinion. (c) While communicating a message orally, the speaker is not concerned with the selection of a message. (d) Speech style depends on the purpose of speaking and the relation between the speaker/s and listener/s. (e) Professional situations such as seminars, conferences, meetings, discussions, and job interviews do

not need an audience analysis. (f) Encoding in oral communication involves selecting a language, an appropriate oral form, and positive

non-verbal signals. (9) Encoding in speaking does not involve using non-verbal signals. (h) Non-verbal communication includes gestures, facial expressions, body movement, and posture.

The Speech Process

CONVERSATION AND ORAL SKILLS

Every one of us takes part in some kind of conversation, formal or informal. The conversation is an interactive process involving speakers and listeners. While talking to someone, we use audible and visible symbols in order to communicate meaning in the minds of our listeners. Conversation links people together, as it is probably the most important factor that makes social interaction possible. It establishes, maintains, improves, and consolidates social as well as professional relations.

Although the ability to converse well in social, academic, and professional situations is so important, we generally ignore it. We rarely plan or prepare ourselves for a conversation. Many of us are self-complacent or over-confident and believe that conversation is a natural process Conversation skill and that we need not prepare ourselves for this. On the other hand, there are some that include the ability to persons who find themselves shying away from the conversation because they feel start a conversation choose a topic for inadequate in talking to others. The fact is that conversation provides us with on conversation help opportunities to express ourselves, establish our individuality, and show the world others to start, keep a what we are. If we fail to express our feelings, reactions, responses, or views prop. conversation going move from one topic to early to the other person, we would fail as individuals. another, and conclude a

As the conversation is a tool of social interaction, it is essential to be able to converse well in both informal as well as formal situations. One should have the ability

to start a conversation, pick a topic for conversation, help others to start, keep a conversation going, move smoothly from one topic to another, and conclude a conversation naturally One should also be able to understand, interlocutor, create coherent discourse, and take appropriate turns in conversations, as well as have the ability to negotiate meanings with others through creating reciprocity of perspectives on what is said.

Types of Conversation: Formal and Informal

There are two types of conversation: formal and informal. As shown in Table 6.1. formal conversation differs from an informal conversation in content, approach, style, attitude, and language. The formal conversation is the type of conversation that we have in formal situations while informal conversation involves the exchange of personal information with friends and relatives. The formal conversation may include making inquiries and exchanging information at public offices, shopping, and the transaction of academic, business, professional, and other official work. Informal conversation, on the other hand, includes greetings. simple social exchanges, and general inquiries during social interactions and everyday informal situations.

Be Tactful It is necessary to be very tactful during the conversation, especially when talking to one’s teacher, boss, senior colleague, or someone who matters. It is better to think before speaking than to suffer afterward. Choose the topics carefully and avoid controversial issues that may lead to unnecessary arguments. Do not Argue Most people argue for argument’s sake. They do so without realizing what they intend to achieve by it and end up wasting their strength and time. However, a good conversationalist never argues during a conversation. We may disagree with the person we are talking to but there is no need to impose our point of view on the other person. Everyone has a right to express his/her views. So, it is important to respect the views expressed by other persons and express our disagreements and reservations in a friendly way. Be Interested We should be interested in the conversation and our behavior and attitude should reflect our interest. We should also take a keen interest in the other person or persons talking to us. Maintain eye contact with each one of them and contribute to the conversation in a lively manner. Some people remain lifeless during a conversation. They just listen without contributing anything to the conversation. That might show a lack of interest and should be avoided at all costs. We should take an active part in the conversation by contributing to it in a meaningful way.

Progress Check 2

Which of the following will make you an effective conversationalist?

(a) Good manners

(b) Negative attitude

(c) Pragmatic approach

(d) Clarity of expression

(e) Lack of confidence

(f) Passive listening

(g) Difficult and flowery language

(h) Friendly attitude

(e) Flexible approach

(k) Ability to argue aggressively

(l) Rigid stand

The Speech Process

IMPROVING FLUENCY AND SELF-EXPRESSION

Fluency is the most important characteristic of effective speech. What does this term mean? What is fluency? Let us try to understand this term and the skills needed in order to achieve fluency in speech.

Fluency is the natural flow of words without any unnecessary pauses and repetition. This natural flow of words or smoothness of expression can come from the ability to compose and speak meaningful utterances by using appropriate vocabulary and grammar The five factors that influence fluency and skills. Fluent and expressive speech normally depends on the range of vocabulary

self-expression appropriately used, as poor vocabulary will cause a lack of fluency. Fluency also is articulation, depends on the appropriate use of macro-skills of grammar and pronunciation such as pronunciation, voice as subject-verb agreement, tense formation, clause linkage, use of transitional words,

quality, accent basic intonation patterns, rhythm, and so on. Moreover, one should be confident of and intonation the content of one’s speech in order to be fluent.

In order to improve self-expression and achieve the desired clarity and fluency, articulation, pronunciation, voice quality, accent, and intonation need to be improved. These five important aspects are briefly described below.

Articulation

In order to speak English fluently, clearly, and confidently, articulation has to be improved. Articulation is a set of speech habits established over a long period. It is basically our ability to modify voice or breath with the tongue, teeth, lips, and other organs of speech in order to produce speech sounds. Good articulation helps us to speak more distinctly and focus attention on our message. These are the two essential conditions of effective speaking.

We should learn to produce English sounds correct. Every language has a set of speech sounds. English has 44 speech sounds that include twelve pure vowels, eight diphthongs, and twenty-four consonants. Some of these speech sounds might not be present in other languages and we may find it difficult to articulate them. Regular practice is required to be able to articulate them correctly. To be an effective speaker one must practice articulation of difficult English vowel and consonant sounds, change faulty speech patterns, and practice appropriate and correct speech patterns. Moreover, one needs proper training to be sensitive to sounds. This aspect is dealt with in the next section on phonetics.

‘Good’ Pronunciation

An important aspect of improving expression is learning ‘good’ pronunciation. Pronunciation is the manner of uttering or speaking (words and sounds), and ‘good’ pronunciation is the way of speaking that ordinary people find easy to understand. Daniel Jones defines ‘bad pronunciation as, “a way of talking which is difficult for most people to understand”. However, one cannot classify pronunciation as ‘correct’ or ‘incorrect’.

Any good dictionary would give acceptable English pronunciations of words. As dictionaries give the pronunciation of a word in phonemic symbols, it is essential to be familiar with phonemic transcription. In addition, one should learn effective pronunciation techniques.

Voice Quality

It is essential to refine the quality of one’s voice and learn to adjust or vary its tone or pitch (that is, voice modulation). As voice modulation gives variety to oral delivery, it can improve expression during oral presentations, speeches, debates, conferences, group discussions, and meetings. An impressive voice may be a God-given gift but voice quality can be improved by proper voice training and regular practice

We should first analyze the quality of our own voice by critically listening to our recorded voice. or asking someone to listen to us and comment on our voice. Then, we should identify the weak points of our voice, (for example, it is too low, or too harsh). These weaknesses can be improved upon with the help of friends, classmates, teachers, and by cultivating sensitivity to sounds and voices, getting proper ear-training, practicing voice modulation according to meaning and intention of the message, and learn

Accent and Intonation

Unlike most Indian languages, which are syllabic, English is a stressed language. In syllabic languages, such as Hindi or Bengali, each syllable receives equal importance. However, English pronunciation focuses on specific stressed words while non-stressed words or syllables are spoken fast. This means that the stressed words/syllables stand out from the rest, are usually said more loudly, on a different pitch, and are held for a longer time than the other word/syllable or words/syllables.

Intonation is the variation of the pitch of the voice. When we speak, we can notice variations in the level at which our voice is pitched. Sometimes the pitch of our voice rises, sometimes it falls, and at other times it remains level. We should learn correct intonation patterns. It is essential to improve self-expression.

The Speech Process

Progress Check 3

Study the following table and match different aspects of improving self-expression (left column) with appropriate strategies (right column):

BODY LANGUAGE

Body language (Table 6.2) is an integral part of oral communication. It includes Body language includes facial expressions, gestures, and body movements, eye contact, distance, space, time, eye contact, facial and mannerisms. As non-verbal communication expresses individual emotions. expression, gestures, social attitudes, and feelings, it can convey more meaning than spoken words. When posture and body movements we are not able to find an exact word for something we want to say, we may use some kind of facial or physical gestures to convey our meaning.

We should take care of the non-verbal cues that we pass on to our listeners or receive from our speaker during any formal situation because a wrong gesture or facial expression can lead to miscommunication and confusion. Different non-verbal cues may suggest different meanings (Table 6.3). We may annoy or displease a colleague, irritate a teacher or supervisor, or even lose a business deal. As a culture, social class, age, occupation, ethnic background, and communication contexts influence non-verbal forms of communication, we must be very careful while using non-verbal messages.

Body Language

Non-verbal Forms Eye contact Facial expression Gestures Posture and body movements

Description of the way a person observes or looks at the audience while speaking or listening use of eyes, eyebrows, forehead, and mouth for expression visible bodily action that may express implicit meaning the way a person stands, walks, moves, or uses body movements

Eye Contact

Our eyes are usually a mirror of our truest and innermost feelings. That is why we normally distrust people who do not maintain eye contact while telling us something, whereas we believe those who look directly at us. Since the eyes are probably the most accurate predictor of our feelings and attitudes, we should know how to use good or positive eye contact.

Although the frequency and duration of eye contact vary from culture to cul- Good or positive eye true, we can learn to maintain positive eye contact with our listeners. Following are contact improves the effectiveness of a verbal some suggestions in this regard message during oral

Maintain eye contact while listening to someone. This will indicate that interaction you are paying attention to what the person is speaking,

Posture and Body Movements

Your posture talks about your personality. It may tell that you are a bold, confident, and dynamic person or a timid, submissive, and servile fellow. Similarly, your body movements give important signals about your personality. Use your posture and body movements to reflect self-confidence, maturity, alertness, and physical stamina. Read the following suggestions:

Posture should be examined and corrected if it is not appropriate.

Posture should be natural, standing, sitting, and bowing in a natural way. may reflect positive

Use appropriate body postures. personality traits such

Avoid making funny or confusing postures or body movements. as maturity, confidence,

While using body movements, ensure that they are consistent with the verbal alertness, and physical

stamina, and fitness message Learn the cultural patterns of posture and body movements to avoid cross-cultural misunderstandings.

 

The Speech Process

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