or written depends primarily on the extent to which the speaker is sensitive to what is appropriate language and the proper way of articulating it. In speaking, there is an acceptable and an unacceptable pronunciation of a word and this is dedicated by usage the manner in which grammatical combinations of a language are used in speech and in writing as laid down by a habit or choice.
Speech variation includes degree of formality,
differences in speech and writing, as well as regional and social differences.
Two major cultural levels of language:
Standard English Non Standard English
1. 2. .
Each level has its formal and informal varieties.
Note the following categories: Formal Standard English, Informal Standard English, and non Standard English. The last one is the speech and writing of uneducated people.
1. 2. 3. 4.
Formal Standard English is the language of
formal speech and writing. The chief uses of formal spoken English include: Formal public address and lectures; Public, panel and roundtable discussions; Many classroom lectures, and Conversation for business or social purposes for people who are not known to each other.
Informal Standard English is
the speech and writing commonly used by educated people. Its chief uses in speech are conversations between educated people who know each other, classroom discussions and some classroom lectures.
How the words you use and the way you
articulate them can be illustrated by the following ways a young man asks a girl to dance:
Miss Reyes, may I have the next
dance?
The speaker here does not know Miss Reyes
well; perhaps they have just met for the first time.
Letty, can I have the next dance?
He knows the girl; so he uses a lesser degree of
formality. He uses not only the girls first name but also the word can.
How about the next dance, darling?
Their relationship is now revealed, although one
of them never speaks.
Cmon, cute stuff, lets cut one!
Cute stuff may offend or flatter, depending on
the relationship. In this case, the speaker may have misjudged what is appropriate for the occasion.
Lets. (Gestures toward the dance floor.)
Extreme familiarity is shown here.
The words used, of course, are articulated the
way the speaker expects they will elicit proper response. In radio and television speech, the first two types are generally used. In broadcast drama, of course, the speech pattern has to coincide with the dramatic situations involved. This may even include Standard English speech. Generally, pronunciation styles are acceptable if they agree with the majority of educated speakers in a speech community. In the absence of a distinct speech community, the dictionary is your best guide.
PRONUNCIATION PATTERNS
The dictionary presents several pronunciation
variants. The first, though not necessarily the best, is the preference of the particular dictionary consulted. Thus, there are two ways of pronouncing a word and these are set by the style of speaking represented by the dictionary consulted: formal and colloquial.
1. 2.
3.
Properly translating symbols into sounds is
important. This is a process of three parts: Observe the syllable divisions and the spelling of each syllable. Locate the accent. Websters has the accent sign before the accented syllable; others have it after the syllable. When there are primary and secondary accents, a heavier mark denotes the primary emphasis. Giving special attention to the accented syllables, notice the markings or signs for vowels and the diphtongs.
VOCABULARY FOR RADIO AND
TV SPEECH
The words and expressions for radio and
television must suit the needs of the general listeners and viewers. Everyday words must form the major or even the entire part of the broadcasters message considering that his audience is completely unstructured.
Scientific and technical expressions as
much as possible should be avoided; however, if no other appropriate familar expression or semi-technical term is available or at hand, then they may be used. Names of famous persons, historical events, commonly used foreign words and expressions, including new words must make up a broadcasters pool of words and should always be at his fingertips.
Broadcast speech, particularly in radio, which is
for the most part extemporaneous and impromptu must choose words accurately. This also applies to television speech, particularly in formats that need extemporaneous and impromptu speaking (free wheeling discussions, for instance) and comments.
The choice of vocabulary expressions sets the
message and reflects on the broadcasters responsibility and interest in perfecting his craft.
YOUR RADIO AND TV AUDIENCE
The broadcaster has to be able to identify his
audience before going on the air. This is because he will need to design his speech technique to suit his audience.
As you broadcast, think of a vast audience who
can easily change radio stations and TV channels with a flick of a switch or a button. Your audience is not obliged to listen to your aircast; you can never think of them as a captive audience.
This is because radio and TV audiences
may have other compelling interests that coincide with your program a hobby; a novel, or a more interesting video film; therefore, your program has to be very competitive. The topic must not only be relevant and impelling; your speech style must be clear, accurate, vivid, spontaneous, enthusiastic and natural so that listening to you becomes an enlightening and satisfying act.
RADIO AND TELEVISION SPEECH
Radio Speaking
Because radio listeners are not provided with
visual cues to help them internalize your message, radio speaking must be done at a relatively rapid rate. Rapid in this context does not mean rushing all your words and sentences until you run out of breath. It refers to a rate of speaking without allowing your speech to drag, resulting in long pauses.
However, the radio speaker can make
up for lack of visual assistance by making full use of his voice the one most useful instrument that can make or unmake him/her as a broadcaster. He/she must develp skill in using a variety of voice qualities, rate and pitch and he/she must have a command of vocal expressions that can put across ideas, sentiments and feelings very effectively to his listeners.
Television Speech
In television speaking, avoid over-emphatic vocal
delivery and high pressure vocalizing for it will mar your television image. Your delivery should be somewhat quieter than radio speaking but it must renaib enthusiastic, animated and conversational. Use a variety of voice qualities, rate and pitch but avoid an overly excited tone, a too fast speaking rate or a very postive inflection of assertiveness for it is in bad taste. Remember that as you speak to your TV audience you are a guest in the homes of your viewers so keep your voice reasonably animated within conversational limits.
Since television technology changes
rapidly and facilities very considerably at different stations and channels, you will need special instructions from the directors and technicians in charge each time you broadcast in order to adapt your presentation to the special conditions at hand.
USING THE MICROPHONE
No matter what language you use, you have
to familiarize yourself with microphone technique. There are three basic types of microphones: the non directional, the uni directional and the cardioid. A non directional mike picks up sounds from all sides equally well; the uni directional picks up sound from one side only, while the cardioid picks up sound in a figure 8 pattern.
The best speaking distances vary and
depend on your speech purposes. When speaking before a large audience, back away from the microphone and talk relatively loudly. To sound very personal, stay close to the microphone and speak softly. To make your voice fade in and out of a scene, talk and walk at the same time walk to ward the microphone to fade in and back away from it to fade out.
Speak in an easy conversational style as though
you were talking to another person in the room four feet away from you. Most microphones do not receive sudden changes in pitch level, voice quality and rate. Therefore, choose the type of voice quality, appropriate pitch levels and the degree of volume and rate that will make microphone speaking pleasant and clear.
Emphasize words not by loudness but by
varying pitch levels, pauses and phrasing.
Practice reading your manuscript until
you appear to be talking rather than reading and until you can feel your message and acquire that spontaneous, enthusiastic, and easy style of delivery. Your voice and your language must carry your entire message effectively.
SPEAKING FROM THE SCRIPT
To do justice to the script, which has been
painstakingly prepared for you, you the neophyte broadcaster must put across the ideas and message of the writer to your listeners and viewers as accurately and as interestingly as you can. Talk to your audience and read the script as if it were extemporaneous, unrehearsed and impromptu.
Although the script is prepared by a team of
writers, you must be able to correct or revise it as the need arises, because you are in command at the moment, responsible not onl to your station but also to your audience. In training to be a broadcaster, try to be yourself and not like someone else. Use your own individual style, project your own personality. Express your own opinions on matters that need comments because in time, these will be your distinct mark as a broadcaster.
YOURE ON CAMERA
The factors that enhance communicative
effectiveness in a public speaking situation, namely clothes and personal appearance, posture and poise, and gestures and body language are all useful in television. However, since the TV viewer is like a ringside spectator, he/she hears and sees everything that the cameras pick up and this influences his/her communication. Therefore, some modifications may have to be made before speaking.
Before facing the camera for your
presentation find out ahead of time where you are going to stand or sit, if an actual audience is present in the studio, how far you may safely move without getting beyond the focal depth or angle of the camera or outside the lighted area; make arrangements for the placements of any visual aids which you plan to use so that they will show up large enough on the screen to be clearly understood.