How I Became Articulate With My Speaking (5 Secrets)

Summary

This video script emphasizes the art of articulate speech, highlighting five key qualities that enhance communication. Expanding one's lexicon through repetition and thoughtful speech, mastering pauses for impact, pruning filler words, and being mindful of language exposure are discussed. Additionally, tuning one's vocal instrument by incorporating pitch, volume, and speed variations is stressed. The script encourages viewers to practice these techniques to elevate their speech to be more expressive and persuasive.

Takeaways

• 📚 Expand Your Lexicon: Increase your surface lexicon by using words from your deep lexicon more frequently to enhance expressiveness.
• 🔄 Repetition Matters: It takes about 38 unique uses of a word to make it a default in your speech, as shown by a Yale study.
• 🎯 Access Deep Lexicon: Give yourself more time to think before speaking to access more profound words from your deep lexicon.
• ⏸ Power of Pause: Use pauses effectively to make ordinary words sound extraordinary and to show confidence and intentionality in speech.
• 💡 Silence is Golden: Embrace silence as a sign of thoughtfulness rather than a lack of intelligence or slowness.
• 🗑 Pruning Fillers: Reduce reliance on filler words like 'um', 'ah', and 'like' to improve the quality of your speech.
• 👄 Mind Your Mouth: Keep your mouth closed until you are ready to speak to avoid starting sentences with fillers.
• 📈 Language Input Inventory: Recognize that your speech is influenced by the language you are exposed to, and seek out rich language sources.
• 📚 Read to Enrich: Reading great works exposes you to a rich vocabulary and enhances your intellectual horizon, improving your speech.
• 🎼 Vocal Instrument: Understand that the way you use your voice, including pitch, volume, and speed, contributes significantly to articulate speech.
• 🎶 Melody in Speech: Practice reading poetry aloud to develop a more melodic and varied vocal delivery.

Q & A

What are the two types of lexicons mentioned in the script?

The two types of lexicons mentioned are the 'surface lexicon' which consists of the words one uses in daily communication, and the 'deep lexicon' which includes words one recognizes but rarely uses in speech.

How many unique words does the average native English-speaking adult's deep lexicon contain?

The average native English-speaking adult's deep lexicon contains approximately twenty thousand to thirty-five thousand unique words.

What is the key to accessing the deep lexicon according to the script?

The key to accessing the deep lexicon is through repetition and giving oneself more time to index the deep lexicon before speaking, which can help in finding more precise and expressive words.

How many times does a word need to be used before it can rank higher in one's surface lexicon according to a Yale study?

According to a Yale study, it takes using a word 38 unique times for it to instinctively default to that word in our speech and rank higher in our surface lexicon.

What is the significance of pausing in speech as discussed in the script?

Pausing in speech is significant as it allows the speaker to formulate thoughts more fully, enhances the impact of the words, and shows confidence and care for the listener.

Why is it important to prune filler words from our speech?

Pruning filler words from our speech is important because over-reliance on them can detract from the clarity and impact of our message, and they can make our speech sound less formal and more disfluent.

What are two practices suggested to reduce the use of filler words?

The two practices suggested to reduce filler words are processing the endings of words to slow down speech and focus on word selection, and keeping the mouth closed until ready to speak the first word to avoid introducing filler words.

What does the script suggest as a way to improve the quality of our language inputs?

The script suggests taking inventory of all the sources of language we expose ourselves to daily, such as the people we surround ourselves with, the music we listen to, and the content we consume, and engaging more with sources of articulate speech.

How can reading poetry out loud help in developing one's vocal instrument?

Reading poetry out loud helps in developing one's vocal instrument by teaching the importance of variation in tone, emphasizing specific words for rhyme, and creating a melodic quality to the speech.

What is the role of our voice in sounding articulate as per the script?

Our voice plays a crucial role in sounding articulate as it provides emotional substance to words through pitch, volume, speed of speaking, and variation, which can make even the same word sound significantly different.

What is the final advice given in the script for practicing the five techniques discussed?

The final advice given is to practice these five techniques consistently over the next two weeks in various speaking scenarios such as debating, negotiating, persuading, and compromising to become more articulate and artistic with language.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Expanding Your Lexicon for Articulate Speech

This paragraph discusses the importance of expanding one's lexicon to become a more articulate speaker. It differentiates between the 'surface lexicon' and the 'deep lexicon', explaining that the former consists of words we use regularly, while the latter contains words we recognize but seldom use. The speaker suggests that articulacy involves accessing the deep lexicon and using its words more frequently. Two methods are provided to achieve this: repetition, which involves using a word enough times for it to become part of the surface lexicon, and taking time to index the deep lexicon before speaking, which can lead to the discovery of more expressive words. The paragraph emphasizes the need to move beyond default language to find the right words for effective communication.

05:00

🤫 The Power of Pausing in Speech

The second paragraph focuses on the significance of pausing in speech to enhance articulateness. It argues against the common misconception that pausing indicates slow thinking, instead asserting that it demonstrates thoughtfulness and confidence. The speaker uses Steve Jobs as an example to illustrate how pausing can create suspense and allow for more deliberate and precise speech. The paragraph also advises against speaking too hastily, which can lead to incoherent ideas, and suggests that taking the time to think before speaking can improve the clarity and impact of one's words.

10:02

🗣️ Pruning Filler Words for Clearer Speech

This paragraph addresses the issue of filler words such as 'um', 'ah', 'like', and 'you know', which can detract from the clarity and effectiveness of speech. It explains that these words often arise when we speak faster than we think, and they can make speech sound less formal but also less articulate. The speaker shares two practices to reduce reliance on filler words: processing the endings of words to slow down speech and focus on word choice, and keeping the mouth closed until the first word is ready to be spoken. These techniques aim to improve the quality of language and reduce unnecessary fillers.

📚 Cultivating Rich Language Inputs

The fourth paragraph emphasizes the importance of the quality of language inputs in shaping our speech. It suggests that our speech is a reflection of the language we are exposed to, and consuming cheap or shoddy language can negatively impact our speaking abilities. The speaker recommends taking inventory of all language sources in one's daily life, such as the people we interact with, the music we listen to, and the content we consume. The paragraph encourages engaging with sources of articulate speech and reading great works to expand one's intellectual horizon and enrich thinking, which in turn enhances speech.

🎼 Tuning Your Vocal Instrument

The final paragraph of the script highlights the role of voice in articulate speech. It points out that while choosing the right words is crucial, the way we deliver them is equally important. The speaker notes that articulate speakers often have a melodic quality to their speech, using pitch, volume, speed, and variation to convey emotional substance. An example from Sir David Attenborough's beloved voice illustrates the effectiveness of vocal variation. The paragraph concludes with the suggestion to read poetry out loud as a way to practice and develop vocal variation, ultimately improving the musicality and expressiveness of one's speech.

Keywords

💡Articulate Speaker

An articulate speaker is someone who can express their ideas clearly and effectively using the right words at the right time. This concept is central to the video's theme, emphasizing the importance of precise and persuasive communication. The script illustrates this by explaining how expanding one's lexicon can enhance the ability to be articulate, as seen when discussing the difference between surface and deep lexicons and their impact on speech.

💡Lexicon

Lexicon refers to an individual's vocabulary, both the words they recognize and those they use in speech. The video distinguishes between a 'surface lexicon', which consists of words commonly used, and a 'deep lexicon', containing words recognized but rarely used. Understanding and expanding one's lexicon is crucial for articulate speech, as demonstrated when the script suggests ways to access and utilize the deep lexicon more frequently.

💡Surface Lexicon

The surface lexicon is the subset of an individual's vocabulary that they instinctively use in daily communication, typically consisting of 1500 to 3000 words. The script uses the surface lexicon to explain the default language patterns of the brain and how they might not always lead to the most effective communication, thus encouraging the expansion of this lexicon for more articulate speech.

💡Deep Lexicon

The deep lexicon encompasses the wider range of words that a person recognizes but does not frequently use in speech, estimated to be between 20,000 to 35,000 words for a native English-speaking adult. The video emphasizes the importance of accessing this deep lexicon to enrich one's speech and provide more profound and expressive language, as illustrated by the discussion on how to make rarely used words more 'buoyant' in one's speech.

💡Repetition

Repetition is highlighted in the script as a method to elevate the ranking of a word in one's lexicon, making it more likely to be used instinctively in speech. The script cites a Yale study indicating that a word needs to be used 38 unique times before the brain defaults to it, underscoring the practice of using words multiple times to enhance their presence in the surface lexicon.

💡Pause

The script discusses the strategic use of pauses in speech to enhance clarity, impact, and the perception of confidence. Pausing is portrayed as a tool to allow for the thoughtful construction of responses and to give the listener time to absorb the message. The video uses Steve Jobs as an example to demonstrate how pauses can create suspense and articulate answers.

💡Filler Words

Filler words, such as 'um', 'ah', 'like', and 'you know', are identified in the script as words that can detract from the fluency and effectiveness of speech if overused. The video suggests practices to reduce reliance on these words, such as focusing on the endings of words and keeping the mouth closed until the first word of a thought is clear, to improve speech quality.

💡Language Inputs

Language inputs refer to the sources of language a person is exposed to, which can influence their speech patterns. The script advises taking inventory of these inputs, such as the people, music, and content one engages with, to ensure they contribute positively to one's speech. The video emphasizes the impact of rich language exposure on expanding vocabulary and improving articulation.

💡Vocal Instrument

The vocal instrument is a metaphor for the voice and its role in articulate speech. The script points out that the voice contributes emotional substance to words through pitch, volume, speed, and variation. It suggests that even without a naturally rich voice, one can develop a more melodic and expressive vocal quality, as demonstrated by the example of Sir David Attenborough's beloved voice.

💡Poetry

Poetry is presented in the script as a tool for developing vocal expressiveness and variation in tone. Reading poetry aloud helps to practice the subtleties of emphasis and rhythm, which are essential for articulate speech. The video recommends poetry as a means to enhance the 'music' of one's speech and provides a list of poems to aid in this practice.

Highlights

Expanding one's surface lexicon is key to articulate speech.

Lexicon consists of a surface lexicon for daily use and a deep lexicon of rarely used words.

The average native English-speaking adult has a deep lexicon of 20,000 to 35,000 words.

Articulate speakers express ideas precisely by choosing the right words at the right time.

Repetition helps words from the deep lexicon to rise to the surface lexicon.

A Yale study found that using a word 38 times makes it part of the surface lexicon.

Articulate speakers often use profound and expressive words frequently in their speech.

Taking time to index the deep lexicon before speaking can improve word choice.

Pausing can make ordinary words sound extraordinary and convey confidence.

Steve Jobs used pauses effectively to create suspense and formulate articulate responses.

Filler words like 'um', 'ah', and 'like' should be minimized for clear speech.

Processing the endings of words and keeping the mouth closed can reduce filler words.

Language inputs, such as reading and listening, influence the quality of one's speech.

Exposing oneself to rich language sources can improve speech articulateness.

The voice plays a significant role in sounding articulate, beyond just word choice.

Vocal variation, including pitch, volume, and speed, adds musicality to speech.

Reading poetry aloud can help develop vocal variation and enhance the speaking voice.

Five techniques are discussed to improve articulateness in speech.

Transcripts

every articulate speaker understands

five qualities about speech that allow

them to be playful precise and

persuasive with their words the first is

expanding their surface lexicon your

Lexicon refers to your personal

vocabulary the collection of words you

recognize and employ in your speaking

each of us has a surface lexicon and a

deep lexicon I'll use my proprietary

whiteboard technology to illustrate this

your surface lexicon Illustrated here

are the words you unconsciously default

to and employ in your daily

communication approximately fifteen

hundred to three thousand unique words

your deep lexicon on the other hand is

comprised of words that you recognize

but rarely employ in your speech the

average native English-speaking adult

has a deep lexicon of approximately

twenty thousand to thirty five thousand

unique words when we speak when we

answer a question or compose a sentence

our our brain first consults our surface

lexicon for familiar words for example

if I asked you what did you think of the

stake

the default reply might be the stake was

good it was awesome

have you heard of the words flavorful

tender or perfectly seasoned course but

those words are not located in your

surface lexicon and thus not the

language that your brain defaults to as

descriptors for a stake

what we realize is that the default way

our brain wants us to say something is

more than likely not the best way to say

it because the words registered in our

surface lexicon are simply not the right

words and that's what articulacy is

being able to express your ideas in the

right words at the right time

this invites the question how do we

access this deep lexicon that we all

have how do we give the words we already

know

more

buoyancy so that they register in our

surface lexicon and begin to manifest in

conversation let me provide you with two

solutions that accomplish this the first

is repetition the more you use a word

the higher it ranks in your Lexicon a

study from Yale found that it takes

using a word 38 unique times for our

brain to instinctively default to that

word in our speech in other words 38

times in order for that word to register

in our surface lexicon what you must

realize about articulate speakers is

that they aren't constantly accessing

their deep lexicon rather they've

expanded their surface lexicon to

include words that are more profound and

expressive you'll observe this if you

watch any speaker for hours on end any

words you might consider to be powerful

or profound will surface frequently in

their speaking they'll often use words

that carry imagery or embody tangible

ideas for example instead of saying I

have to pay attention to a lot of

information they might say I have to pay

attention to a mosaic of information or

instead of saying I'm at a lack of ideas

they'll say I've reached idea poverty

besides repetition using a word multiple

times in order for it to possibly enter

or rank higher in your surface lexicon

the other action you can take is to give

yourself more time to index your deep

lexicon what do I mean by this

think of it like breathing you can use

shallow breaths and still provide your

lungs and brain with oxygen

or

you can take your time

inhale deeply and feel more satisfied

and replenished

breathe deeper with your words take more

time before you speak to index your

vocabulary for better words ask yourself

this question

is this the right word

is this the right word if I took more

time a few more seconds could I perhaps

excavate a better word from my deep

lexicon

you'll be amazed how much

progress you make in your speaking just

by asking yourself this introspective

question is this the right word is there

a better word for this idea don't assume

the word your brain defaults to is the

best word number two learn how to

command the pause one of the Epiphany

moments I experienced in working to

elevate my own speech was learning that

I could make ordinary words sound

extraordinary simply by using a

well-placed pause

the recommendation to use pauses is

often considered trivial because

it's so simple

yet being articulate requires that you

understand this relationship between

silence and the impact that it has in

your speech as a society we've almost

become allergic to pausing in our

speaking we think that pausing is

considered a sign of mental slowness or

unintelligence when most of the time it

conveys the opposite pausing shows that

you value the weight of your words and

wish to be calculated and intentional

with your language it shows confidence

in yourself and

care for your listener watch this short

clip from Steve Jobs and take notice of

how pausing before speaking

create suspense in the listener's mind

but more importantly allows Steve time

to construct a confident and articulate

answer

what's important to you in the

development of a product

you know

one of the things that really hurt Apple

was after I left John Scully got a very

serious disease

and that disease I've seen other people

get it too it's um it's the disease of

thinking that a really great idea is

ninety percent of the work as Steve

demonstrates silence before you speak

allows you to formulate your thoughts

more fully most of us in conversation or

any form of communication have the

proclivity to introduce words before we

know how we're going to use them

sometimes I'll start a sentence and I

don't even know where it's going we

blurt out a hasty first pass at

conveying an idea and then progressively

revise our word choice by rephrasing our

sentence or perhaps depending on More

Words which furthers the lack of clarity

of the idea we're attempting to convey

pausing before speaking or between

points allows you to achieve

a better intimacy with your words you

have more time to think through your

ideas and your listener is able to

thoroughly absorb your words because

they are more deliberate your words are

more precise

number three pruning your filler words I

would imagine most of us already know we

shouldn't over rely on words such as

um ah and like or expressions like you

know I feel like basically essentially

the fullest is available down below this

video if you want to diagnose your

disfluencies as filler words are often

known as it's worth noting that filler

words are in fact a natural part of

language as ironic as it may be filler

words help our speech flow and sound

less formal and blunt the thorny problem

though is when we overwork them in our

speech fill their words appear because

we often speak faster than we can think

our mouth gets ahead of our mind and we

need to catch up and hence we rely on

the filler word also because we're

uncomfortable with silence and we'll do

anything to maintain command of the air

even if it means treating our listener

to an empty sound

I've been able to cure myself of most

filler words by adopting two practices

that I want to share with you the first

is processing the endings of your words

when I focused on hearing the endings of

the words that are coming out of my

mouth it automatically one reduces the

speed of my speech but two

channels my focus onto the words

themselves allowing me to audit my word

selection more carefully secondly

practice keeping your mouth closed until

you are ready to speak your first word

for many of us the default behavior is

to introduce our voice with a filler for

example Joseph what did you think of

this project

um

is that familiar if so keep your mouth

closed until you have defined in your

mind your opening words this has helped

me immensely

number four take inventory of your

language inputs what do I mean by this

I mean recognize that the way you speak

right now is the result of the

collective influence of the language

that you've been exposed to

just as we are often the product of our

environments our speech reflects the

quality of language that we've

interacted with and that we've allowed

into our information processor our

language processor if you read and

listen to Cheap and shoddy sentences

filled with slang vulgarity and vague

vocabulary you unconsciously adopt those

language patterns and the higher and

higher those expressions and words

register in your surface lexicon until

they begin to automatically manifest in

our speech this is why it's advantageous

to read and expose yourself to sources

of Rich language there are a few great

articulators who aren't ridiculously

well read for this very reason reading

great works exposes you to great words

and expands your intellectual Horizon

which enriches your thinking and

reflects in your speech of course I'm

not just talking about reading books my

recommendation is to take inventory of

all the sources of language you expose

yourself to on a daily basis the people

you surround yourself with the music you

listen to the content you consume you

don't have to make any drastic changes

I'm not recommending you overhaul your

life just because you watched a YouTube

video but if you do notice that most

sources where you watch or listen to

words don't feature articulate or

expressive language I might suggest

engaging more with sources of articulate

speech that give you better access to

the tapestry of language that you seek

to embody in your speech

number five tune your vocal instrument

as much as we like to Define articulacy

as choosing the right words

we often grossly undervalue the

significance that our voice holds in

sounding articulate what you'll notice

in articulate speakers is that there is

a music and a melodic quality to

articulating their words words

aren't just words they're

receptacles that are filled with

emotional substance and that substance

is provided by our pitch our volume the

speed of our speaking and variation the

same word spoken in a monotone can sound

staggeringly different than if they were

delivered with finesse and maturity

listen to this clip from Sir David

Attenborough a man considered to have

one of the most beloved voices of all

time I want you to pay attention to the

variation in his voice his pausing and

above all the complete Annunciation of

each word as you spend the next two

weeks

debating

negotiating persuading and compromising

as you surely must

it's easy to forget that ultimately the

emergency time it comes down to a single

number of course while not every one of

us can acquire a rich Voice or adopt an

elegant British accent we can learn to

be more melodic with our voices learn to

think of your sentences almost like

music each word is a note that

harmonizes with the others to produce a

beautiful Melody that can enhance the

enjoyment of listening to you perhaps

the quickest way to help develop your

vocal instrument is to read poetry out

loud poetry is incredibly effective at

subtly teaching

how vital variation in your tone is

because you have to read poems a certain

way often with playful emphasis on

specific words in order to achieve the

rhyme set up in the poem I'll leave a

list of the best poems below this video

that will help with this please practice

these five techniques discussed in this

video and you will become more athletic

and artistic with your language thanks

for watching and I wish you every

success in speaking more articulately