Recently, I ventured to Boston for the first time for a bite at my now-favorite seafood restaurant, Legal Sea Foods. Following on the heels of a conversation with a friend who grew up and resides in New Jersey (while I am a product of the Midwest), my ears were perked up to notice the differences in pronunciation that are so common (and often comical) between the regions of the U.S. Sometimes these differences can be so profound that even native English-speakers can occasionally not understand each other—to say nothing of those to whom it is a second or even third language!
Not only does pronunciation throw Americans off as we struggle to speak the same language, but our colloquialisms—or local or regional expressions—can confuse us even further. For example, at the restaurant, I asked one of the waitstaff, "Excuse me, which way is the washroom?" Suddenly, I realized he may not know that I needed the ladies' room, because the word washroom is a colloquialism in Chicago, several states away. Luckily for me, he was familiar enough with it to direct me without pause or question. (This likely had something to do with the fact that most of the patrons to the place were visiting from out of town.) In another example, I heard of a Bostonian traveling to a different part of the east coast and asking for a frappe at an ice cream shop. When the young woman behind the counter explained that they didn't serve Starbucks-style Frappucinos®, the man from Boston had some explaining to do, himself: He was asking for a milkshake!
The word colloquialism found its way into the English language in the early 1800s, while its parent word, colloquy, (conversation) was first introduced in 1751, a derivative of the Latin word colloquium, meaning conference, or literally, "speak together." Synonyms are cant, jargon, slang, and argot.
I found a fun, tongue-in-cheek list of colloquialisms collected by a local Bostonian (not to be confused with a Bostonite, which is a type of rock—found, not surprisingly, in and near Boston). Enjoy!
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
Jul 20, 2009
WORD OF THE WEEK: SAT Sagacity
I have a cousin who will soon be taking the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) to enter graduate school. My aunt, her mother, recently contacted me about helping to improve my cousin's vocabulary. This week's word comes directly from the SAT (commonly formerly known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test and still taken by high schoolers before entry into undergraduate college): sagacity.
To be sagacious is to possess keen discernment and wisdom. To have sagacity is the same. The word comes from the Latin sagac, sagax or sagire, all meaning "to perceive keenly." It's akin to sagus, or prophetic. By the way, it can also be proper to conjugate sagacity as sagaciousness.
Vocabularly can be very elusive to many people. But keeping up with new words—whether weekly or even daily—can really improve anyone's ability to speak and understand. It aids IQ points, test scores, workplace and personal relationships, as well as general navigation of one's world.
In addition to this blog, there are several sources that can add words to your lexicon via regular e-mail to your in-box. Here is a small-but-helpful list you would be wise to use:
A.Word.A.Day
Dictionary.com
MyDictionary.com
YourDictionary.com
Urban Dictionary
Merriam-Webster online
Oxford English Dictionary online
The (relatively new) Bloomsbury English Dictionary
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
To be sagacious is to possess keen discernment and wisdom. To have sagacity is the same. The word comes from the Latin sagac, sagax or sagire, all meaning "to perceive keenly." It's akin to sagus, or prophetic. By the way, it can also be proper to conjugate sagacity as sagaciousness.
Vocabularly can be very elusive to many people. But keeping up with new words—whether weekly or even daily—can really improve anyone's ability to speak and understand. It aids IQ points, test scores, workplace and personal relationships, as well as general navigation of one's world.
In addition to this blog, there are several sources that can add words to your lexicon via regular e-mail to your in-box. Here is a small-but-helpful list you would be wise to use:
A.Word.A.Day
Dictionary.com
MyDictionary.com
YourDictionary.com
Urban Dictionary
Merriam-Webster online
Oxford English Dictionary online
The (relatively new) Bloomsbury English Dictionary
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
Jul 17, 2009
WEEKLY UPDATE: What's New for July
Those of you paying attention may have noticed that there was no post on Wednesday of this week. That’s because the Beyond Talk blog is on a pseudo-sabbatical for the remainder of July.
Here’s what’s in the works:
• “Speak Your Truth” e-course—How to Get What You Want by Saying What You Mean (downloadable 5-week course includes a students-only Facebook Group where you can practice everything you learn in practical application)
• Expert articles and how-to videos that teach even more tips and tricks to speaking successfully
• Real-world teleconferences and lectures featuring Communications Coach Kealah Parkinson. (Hey, that’s me!)
Words of the Week will continue to posted each Monday during this hiatus-of-sorts. And your comments are always welcome! Let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you as I strive to make our world a friendlier place that’s easier to understand.
Truly speaking beyond talk,
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
Here’s what’s in the works:
• “Speak Your Truth” e-course—How to Get What You Want by Saying What You Mean (downloadable 5-week course includes a students-only Facebook Group where you can practice everything you learn in practical application)
• Expert articles and how-to videos that teach even more tips and tricks to speaking successfully
• Real-world teleconferences and lectures featuring Communications Coach Kealah Parkinson. (Hey, that’s me!)
Words of the Week will continue to posted each Monday during this hiatus-of-sorts. And your comments are always welcome! Let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you as I strive to make our world a friendlier place that’s easier to understand.
Truly speaking beyond talk,
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
Jul 13, 2009
WORD OF THE WEEK: A Beautiful Noun
Here is one of my favorite nouns: credenza. It's beautiful! But, my, what a dark history it has. Here is its etymology, according to Merriam-Webster online and Wikipedia:
Credenza: from the Italian "credenza"; literally, "belief" or "confidence"; from the Medieval Latin "credentia"; anecdotally, the 16th century act of credenza was "the tasting of food or drinks by a servant for a lord or important person (like popes and cardinals). With this taste they [ascertained] the food was not poisoned. The name then passed to the room where the act took place, then to the furniture."
Today, a credenza is most commonly known as a sideboard used in a dining room or restaurant for serving food buffet style and/or storing dishes for food service. It's also "a modern desk form usually placed next to a wall as a secondary work surface to that of another desk ... in a typical executive office." The desk version of a credenza can also be used to store books, files or other work items.
From potentially-poisoned food-tasting to housing the boss's stationery, the credenza has come a long way in the last 500-some years, although the word's spelling and sound primarily remain the same. What's your favorite noun? And do you know its history?
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
Credenza: from the Italian "credenza"; literally, "belief" or "confidence"; from the Medieval Latin "credentia"; anecdotally, the 16th century act of credenza was "the tasting of food or drinks by a servant for a lord or important person (like popes and cardinals). With this taste they [ascertained] the food was not poisoned. The name then passed to the room where the act took place, then to the furniture."
Today, a credenza is most commonly known as a sideboard used in a dining room or restaurant for serving food buffet style and/or storing dishes for food service. It's also "a modern desk form usually placed next to a wall as a secondary work surface to that of another desk ... in a typical executive office." The desk version of a credenza can also be used to store books, files or other work items.
From potentially-poisoned food-tasting to housing the boss's stationery, the credenza has come a long way in the last 500-some years, although the word's spelling and sound primarily remain the same. What's your favorite noun? And do you know its history?
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
Jul 10, 2009
WEEKLY UPDATE: Fast-Talking Resources
I took a casual poll on my Facebook page, asking, "Who is the fastest speaker you know?" The answers were varied, but there was a definite 'winner': ME!
A number of my family members and friends from high school were quick to respond (appropriately), telling me that I was indeed one of the fastest talkers they knew. Although I have a high school friend who continues to speak more quickly than I do, I had to acquiesce that I am, in fact, a very fast talker.
If you, too, suffer from PDQ (Pretty Darn Quick) speech, there are a variety of resources out there for you and I to help better ourselves. Here's a summary of some of the experts' pointers:
(1) Prolong the vowel sounds as you speak (i.e., "Iii'm haaapy tooo heeelp")
(2) Visualize yourself in a rocking chair, speaking lazily and casually
(3) Practice out loud as frequently as possible, and record yourself, so that you get the opportunity to hear yourself as others hear you
(4) If speaking too quickly is still a problem for you and you must deliver a public presentation, enlist others to discreetly indicate from the audience when you need to slow down
This last point works best when done from the front row or the very back of the room, which is what I have often done when coaching corporate clients. I also provide a printed copy of the speech—in large font—with breaks or pauses indicated after important points, between paragraphs, or even after every sentence for speakers with exceedingly rapid speech.
Go to the following sites to learn more about slooooowiiing dooooown yooouuur speeeeeeeeeech:
Katie Schwartz's eZine Article
Write-Out-Loud.com
Diane DiResta's e-Article
And for all sorts of quick tips for speakers: The Public Speaking Library
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
A number of my family members and friends from high school were quick to respond (appropriately), telling me that I was indeed one of the fastest talkers they knew. Although I have a high school friend who continues to speak more quickly than I do, I had to acquiesce that I am, in fact, a very fast talker.
If you, too, suffer from PDQ (Pretty Darn Quick) speech, there are a variety of resources out there for you and I to help better ourselves. Here's a summary of some of the experts' pointers:
(1) Prolong the vowel sounds as you speak (i.e., "Iii'm haaapy tooo heeelp")
(2) Visualize yourself in a rocking chair, speaking lazily and casually
(3) Practice out loud as frequently as possible, and record yourself, so that you get the opportunity to hear yourself as others hear you
(4) If speaking too quickly is still a problem for you and you must deliver a public presentation, enlist others to discreetly indicate from the audience when you need to slow down
This last point works best when done from the front row or the very back of the room, which is what I have often done when coaching corporate clients. I also provide a printed copy of the speech—in large font—with breaks or pauses indicated after important points, between paragraphs, or even after every sentence for speakers with exceedingly rapid speech.
Go to the following sites to learn more about slooooowiiing dooooown yooouuur speeeeeeeeeech:
Katie Schwartz's eZine Article
Write-Out-Loud.com
Diane DiResta's e-Article
And for all sorts of quick tips for speakers: The Public Speaking Library
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
Jul 8, 2009
TRULY SPEAKING: How to be a More Confident Speaker (by Slowing Your Speed)
This week, I've been entertaining my 12-year-old twin nephews—who speak almost as rapidly as their mother and I did at their age. (I remember once asking a passing stranger, "Excuse me, do you know what time it is?" so quickly that he replied with all sincerity, "I'm sorry, I don't speak French.")
"I don't speak French" has been a running joke in my family for over 20 years, and it's one my sister and I often say to each other over her twin sons' heads. Excitement can have a lot to do with rapid speech pacing. But so can adolescence—and the lack of confidence it necessitates.
Here's a story about adolescent confidence that I relate with no irony whatsoever ... almost:
When I was about 12 years old, some fellow classmates and I were assigned the task of teaching each other the days of the week, months of the year, and numbers 1 through 50 in Spanish and French. One group of us acted as teachers and the other as pupils. The pupils were graded on how well they had learned the content, while the 'teachers' were graded on what techniques we'd employed to convey the lessons. My teaching partner and I received the highest overall grade, because we made sure to connect with each of our pupil groups based on the way they learned; we employed a variety of memorization tactics and emphasized the ones the students connected to individually. My own teacher was stunned that every single pupil I addressed rated me as very easy to understand. The natural confidence I felt during the assignment slowed my speech speed considerably!
Here are a few tricks to slowing down your own speech when you notice your pace is quickening:
(1) Pay attention to your pulse (too fast means you'll naturally start to slur words and stumble over pronunciations) and your breathing (shallow breathing is a bad sign for being heard well).
(2) Breathe from your diaphragm as deeply as possible (this YouTube video demonstrates the basics); also count to 3 between every sentence to institute pauses.
(3) Know that you know what you know. What you are saying comes from your own mind and experience, and therefore is absolutely right. The more confident you feel, the more confident you will sound as your speech pace slackens to match your mindset.
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
"I don't speak French" has been a running joke in my family for over 20 years, and it's one my sister and I often say to each other over her twin sons' heads. Excitement can have a lot to do with rapid speech pacing. But so can adolescence—and the lack of confidence it necessitates.
Here's a story about adolescent confidence that I relate with no irony whatsoever ... almost:
When I was about 12 years old, some fellow classmates and I were assigned the task of teaching each other the days of the week, months of the year, and numbers 1 through 50 in Spanish and French. One group of us acted as teachers and the other as pupils. The pupils were graded on how well they had learned the content, while the 'teachers' were graded on what techniques we'd employed to convey the lessons. My teaching partner and I received the highest overall grade, because we made sure to connect with each of our pupil groups based on the way they learned; we employed a variety of memorization tactics and emphasized the ones the students connected to individually. My own teacher was stunned that every single pupil I addressed rated me as very easy to understand. The natural confidence I felt during the assignment slowed my speech speed considerably!
Here are a few tricks to slowing down your own speech when you notice your pace is quickening:
(1) Pay attention to your pulse (too fast means you'll naturally start to slur words and stumble over pronunciations) and your breathing (shallow breathing is a bad sign for being heard well).
(2) Breathe from your diaphragm as deeply as possible (this YouTube video demonstrates the basics); also count to 3 between every sentence to institute pauses.
(3) Know that you know what you know. What you are saying comes from your own mind and experience, and therefore is absolutely right. The more confident you feel, the more confident you will sound as your speech pace slackens to match your mindset.
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
Jul 6, 2009
WORD OF THE WEEK: Contest Tergiversation
Perhaps you were all a little distrait over the double meaning of tergiversation? Maybe you're just too loyal to even consider it?
At any rate, the contest ends today. So here, for those of you waiting impatiently to learn the answer (without looking it up on your own), is the secondary meaning of the former Word of the Week, tergiversation—preceded by the hint that threw you all for a loop:
"It's not uncommon for politicians to talk around a topic, making an art of tergiversation in answer to a question, especially on controversial subjects." Also (here comes the tricky part): "Senator Arlen Specter has been accused of selling out to the highest-voting bidder after his tergiversation of the Republican Party."
*drumroll ...*
Tergiversation: a desertion of a cause, position, party, faith. *cymbals crash!*
And this week's (contest-free) word, distrait, means "divided in attention, especially because of anxiety; inattentive." Visit MyDictionary.com (or, Twitter users, follow MyWOTDcom) for a free new word every day this week!
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
At any rate, the contest ends today. So here, for those of you waiting impatiently to learn the answer (without looking it up on your own), is the secondary meaning of the former Word of the Week, tergiversation—preceded by the hint that threw you all for a loop:
"It's not uncommon for politicians to talk around a topic, making an art of tergiversation in answer to a question, especially on controversial subjects." Also (here comes the tricky part): "Senator Arlen Specter has been accused of selling out to the highest-voting bidder after his tergiversation of the Republican Party."
*drumroll ...*
Tergiversation: a desertion of a cause, position, party, faith. *cymbals crash!*
And this week's (contest-free) word, distrait, means "divided in attention, especially because of anxiety; inattentive." Visit MyDictionary.com (or, Twitter users, follow MyWOTDcom) for a free new word every day this week!
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
Jul 3, 2009
WEEKLY UPDATE: How to Speak Successfully to Your Significant Other
Raise your hand if you've ever had a romantic partner. *putting my hand up, holding it there, then letting it fall* Now raise your had if you've ever wanted to ring that partner's neck. *shooting my hand to the sky*
Ahem. Me, too.
But when I got married—6 years ago this weekend, thank you very much—my husband and I quickly learned that escalating our anger toward each other got us nowhere fast ... except storming around the house, holding unspoken contests about who could slam cabinet doors harder and louder, and sometimes racing off to a hotel to escape each other for the evening.
But in the morning (or when the last remaining cabinet-slamming contestant had won by default), though our anger may have quelled, the issues would still be there. And we hadn't any better words for working through them than we had at the peak of frustration.
That's when we invented "The 3 Rs of Marriage©." Three simple questions, asked and answered regularly, keep us communicating about what happens at our core.
Those of you who checked out my guest post to "Journal Lady" Barbara J. Henry's blog already get the simplicity of the exercise for keeping lovers connected to one another. But did you realize the questions can be modified? I know one couple who included a bonus "R": resentment. This lets them address anything they haven't wanted to mention in passing or haven't found prior time to bring up properly. It clears out resentments, so that romance can be the real focus of the relationship again.
(1) What’s one thing you recognize that made you feel LOVED today?
(2) What’s one thing you did to return LOVE to me today?
(3) What would you like to request that I do to show LOVE to you tomorrow?
(4) What's one thing you resented today that created a LOVE block for you?
We'll talk more about this tricky bonus question next week. 'Til then, have a safe and sane Independence Day weekend!
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
Ahem. Me, too.
But when I got married—6 years ago this weekend, thank you very much—my husband and I quickly learned that escalating our anger toward each other got us nowhere fast ... except storming around the house, holding unspoken contests about who could slam cabinet doors harder and louder, and sometimes racing off to a hotel to escape each other for the evening.
But in the morning (or when the last remaining cabinet-slamming contestant had won by default), though our anger may have quelled, the issues would still be there. And we hadn't any better words for working through them than we had at the peak of frustration.
That's when we invented "The 3 Rs of Marriage©." Three simple questions, asked and answered regularly, keep us communicating about what happens at our core.
Those of you who checked out my guest post to "Journal Lady" Barbara J. Henry's blog already get the simplicity of the exercise for keeping lovers connected to one another. But did you realize the questions can be modified? I know one couple who included a bonus "R": resentment. This lets them address anything they haven't wanted to mention in passing or haven't found prior time to bring up properly. It clears out resentments, so that romance can be the real focus of the relationship again.
(1) What’s one thing you recognize that made you feel LOVED today?
(2) What’s one thing you did to return LOVE to me today?
(3) What would you like to request that I do to show LOVE to you tomorrow?
(4) What's one thing you resented today that created a LOVE block for you?
We'll talk more about this tricky bonus question next week. 'Til then, have a safe and sane Independence Day weekend!
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
Jul 1, 2009
TRULY SPEAKING: Kealah the Tergiversator
It's true: Even I have been guilty of tergiversation in my lifetime. Although I consider myself loyal—almost to a fault—I've had my share of apostasy and abandonment. Here's an alphabetical list of a dozen examples:
- babysitting
- baton twirling
- choir
- drinking
- Girl Scouts
- gymnastics
- Ouija boards
- softball
- smoking
- swimming
- tap dancing
- youth group
Perhaps some of these don't really count as groups or beliefs I've tergiversated. After all, I still believe in the altruistic and shaping abilities of the Girl Scouts. And I didn't so much as turn my back on my church youth group as a teen as I did ... well, graduate. Furthermore, I may well have decided that tap dancing, swimming, baton twirling, and softball are not for me. But I would certainly never begrudge YOUR passion for any of them, nor try to change your mind about pursuing these.
So, my remaining contestant friends, do any of these hints help?
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
- babysitting
- baton twirling
- choir
- drinking
- Girl Scouts
- gymnastics
- Ouija boards
- softball
- smoking
- swimming
- tap dancing
- youth group
Perhaps some of these don't really count as groups or beliefs I've tergiversated. After all, I still believe in the altruistic and shaping abilities of the Girl Scouts. And I didn't so much as turn my back on my church youth group as a teen as I did ... well, graduate. Furthermore, I may well have decided that tap dancing, swimming, baton twirling, and softball are not for me. But I would certainly never begrudge YOUR passion for any of them, nor try to change your mind about pursuing these.
So, my remaining contestant friends, do any of these hints help?
(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
