"Snott Ne-KNOT-knee?!?"
This was a common dinner conversation at my house growing up. My brother would start to tell us about his day and my dad would quickly interrupt, mis-pronouncing anything my brother had not spoken clearly enough for him. Whether my dad was trying to teach us a lesson on pronunciation, trying to be funny or has a hearing problem we should get checked, I'll never know. What I do know is that speaking clearly and listening intently can help solve communication problems.
As the years have gone by, I have often wondered, "What is the difference between 'pronunciation' and 'enunciation?'"
To pronounce is to say a word (or sentence, or speech, or anything) correctly.
To enunciate it to say a word (or sentence, or speech or anything) clearly.
I submit, it is probably difficult to have one and not the other, but speaking in soft or mumbled voice could lead to unclear enunciation. Today when my cousin said "supposably," that was incorrect pronunciation of "supposedly."
So what does any of this have to do with anything?
In presenting, it is important to clearly convey your message. Speech is clearly an important thing. We need to say each word deliberately and with purpose. If you can't pronounce it, don't say it. People respect you more if you act and speak professionally and that includes being able to say words the right way.
Robots can say words properly, but that doesn't mean anyone wants to listen to them for more than a few seconds. In speaking, it is good to vary the speed and volume of your speech. It makes it more interesting AND it emphasizes important points.
A new goal of mine is to pronounce my words and speak with proper emphasis on specific points.
And as a final treat in this post, here is a lovely song that captures the games my dad plays at home, especially at the dinner table. The role of the birds in the song is similar to his role in the game.
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