Importance of Speech: Government agencies, organisations and associations use speech to their audience or listeners, but some do it without knowing the benefits of communicating messages through a speech.
This article is not written to teach how to deliver a great speech. Still, we are only concerned with disclosing the benefits you should look out for in speech, and it is necessary you know that speech is different from communication.
Communication is sending and receiving information, ideas or emotions by verbal or non-verbal means. Non-verbal means of communication are whereby you exchange information with smiles, winks and visual aids (video or pictures), but verbal means require you to communicate with languages.
We must discuss what a speech is all about, leading us to know what it is.
What is a Speech?
A Speech is the ability to express emotions, feelings, opinions and thoughts by eloquent and articulate sounds; it is called a “communicative skill or speaking skill” because it requires humans to use language to communicate vocally.
Speech is commonly used when formally addressing or disclosing your thoughts to an audience/people, and you cannot overlook the importance of speech in our daily life.
According to Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Speech is power. Speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel. It is to bring another out of his bad sense into your good sense,” this excellent quote explains the definition of a speech better.
We can conclude that power, persuasion, conversion and compellation lie in the hands of a speech, not just a speech but a great speech.
Purposes of Speech
Before you attempt delivering a speech, you should have a purpose; otherwise, you will end up expressing “non-sense,” because every action has a purpose.
We must discuss the purpose of speech for you to know why it is essential in our daily life.
1. To Inform
Speech is mainly used to inform and convey helpful information to your listeners or audience; the primary purpose of speaking in gatherings is to create awareness, pass information and impart understanding to listeners.
2. To convince and persuade
The second sentence in Ralph Waldo Emerson‘s quote says, “Speech is to persuade,” you speak to convince and persuade a customer you render the best service.
Speech is used to change your audience/listeners’ perspective towards something.
3. To Stimulate
Speech helps arouse listeners’ interest or enthusiasm towards important actions or decisions.
Let me share this story with you: I excelled in mathematics in high school. Although I was not too fond of the subjects at first, something unforgettable happened years back.
A mathematics teacher got transferred to my high school; he shared extraordinary challenges a student who is not a lover of mathematics will encounter in life. I changed my attitude toward the subjects after hearing his speech.
The above story signifies one of the purposes that lie in speech.
4. To Entertain
Jokes and Humor have greatly helped many individuals because it amuses listeners and creates a pleasant atmosphere.
Humour Speech helps in providing pleasure and enjoyment to listeners, and it also passes fun-size information
5. To Console
One of the purposes of speech is to console and sympathise with people in pathetic conditions; sweet speech relieves the soul and makes you forget your suffering.
A Consolation speech reduces the effect of calamities the listener might be facing.
Importance of Speech
The importance of speech is infinite, but below is the paramount importance of speech in our daily life:
1. Speech ease learning
One of the many reasons speech is held in such high regard is that it aids in acquiring new information. In the beginning, a baby cannot speak in a way that could be deemed official.
However, the infant’s reception and non-verbal language must also be considered. A foundation is laid in this regard for newborns’ ability to acquire the language by hearing and speaking as they grow older.
According to research, kids learn to speak by listening during their first seven years. It’s also easier to understand in your tongue because there’s less language barrier, making it easier for people to learn. Thus, it is impossible to disregard the significance of speech.
2. Speech ease relationship
What makes a foreign culture feel like home for people is how well the natives accept them. Being fluent in their language and talking with people from that culture will help you achieve this goal, which is an integral part of speech.
People are more likely to accept and support you if you communicate with them in a language they understand. Travelling alone or living in a country where you don’t speak the language is a disadvantage.
To put it another way, when people can’t communicate with one another, their chances of failing to adapt to their environment go down.
3. Speech reflects the background
Many believe that their education and upbringing may be deduced from how they speak. Children’s education and everyday speech during their formative years impact their brains, which can manifest later in life, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
Those words will be entrenched in young people’s heads if they are exposed to harsh language and abusive speech for the entirety of their lives.
Using the exact words or phrases repeatedly may become an issue when some time has passed. Individuals who are well-read, educated, and have a sophisticated upbringing will use appropriate language and gestures, emphasising the importance of speech.
4. Speech defines a personality
Speech can reveal a lot about a person’s personality and state of mind, and people are likelier to use or enjoy anything that first draws their attention.
Many people find themselves attracted to someone because of their likeness, and they are drawn to things they feel have parallels with their own lives and can relate to.
The frequency with which a person uses uplifting, joyful, or positive words in their daily life may reveal something about their character.
Don’t use just one word from dialogue to characterise a person; it is crucial to look at these words in context with other words and actions.
Conclusion
After analysing the definition and purpose, it is imperative to know that the importance of speech can’t be overstated when one considers its daily impact on the lives of those who use it.
To change people’s minds and negative thinking patterns, it is now necessary to use speech and language and for humanity to evolve and mature with each new generation.
Robin Sharma says, “words can inspire. And words can destroy. Choose yours well,” in light of the importance of speech, everyone must be aware of and careful with the words they use and those that impact them.
