Learn pronunciation for your public speaking

To learn pronunciation is one of the first steps for any public speaker to master. If you don't pronounce your words correctly your audience will lose interest, not because of the content of your message but simply that they can't follow you as it requires too much mental effort to listen. So learn pronunciation as a vital skill.

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You Own Your Words

When public speaking, avoid mispronouncing words. Be especially careful of the suffixes of words so that you are using the correct form of the word as well as using the right word in the right situation. Public speakers who have made such mistakes such as these are rarely forgotten and become associated with the types of mistake they have made.

Consider high profile public speakers such as presidents whose every word is scrutinized by a waiting audience. Correct pronunciation of words does make a difference and can influence the credibility of the speaker with the audience.

Pronouncing Words and Names Correctly

Among the public speaking skills of confidence, non-verbal communication, and pronunciation, pronunciation is most critical and immediate. The way a speaker pronounces words partly determines the credibility of the speaker. If a speaker is inarticulate and less than careful with word pronunciations, the speaker will not be received well by the audience.

Check word pronunciations in advance if you are unsure of them. Mark above the words the phonetic pronunciation of the word or words that may be difficult to pronounce especially names.

The Connotation of Words

Public speaking requires choosing words carefully and not saying the first thing that comes to mind. Consider the connotation of words or the implied meaning.

Pronunciation is the obvious denotation or the dictionary meaning of the word which includes proper pronunciation and correct usage of the word.

Connotation is the implied meaning associated with a word that when combined with other words and pronounced this way, can convey a bias or sexist attitude towards a subject. Word choice can convey a bias towards a subject if the wrong words are chosen which then becomes a direct reflection on the speaker as either biased or sexist, and the speaker's credibility is thus damaged.

It is vital that the speaker select language that is non-biased and non-sexist especially when referring to ethnicities, job titles, and the human race. It is especially important to use non-sexist, non-biased language so as not to offend your audience. Examples of non-sexist, non-biased language includes humanity for mankind, work force instead of manpower, police officer instead of policeman, and driver instead of woman driver. You have probably heard this referred to as being "politically correct."

Other means of improving spoken language during public speaking is to use a woman's name instead of referring to her as Mrs. followed by her husband's name. Also, be careful in using generalizations as these imply speaker bias such as "girls like pink" and "boys play rough." Public speaking should be bias-free to be received well by audience members.

Resource to help you learn pronunciation

• Pronunciation Software - Online tools to improve your pronunciation.

• Teaching pronunciation - Tips to help you when you are teaching others how to properly pronounce their words.

• British Pronunciation - Posh accent not required - learn British pronunciation.

• American Pronunciation - Pronounce your words in a manner that an American listener will understand.

• A online pronunciation dictionary. This link will take you to an English dictionary. Next to each word is a little speaker symbol - click it to hear how the words sound. Then record your voice when pronouncing the word and hear if it sounds the same. Keep practicing till it sounds the same.

• Oxford English pronunciation. The Oxford guide to pronouncing the most common sounds in English. It has phonetic spellings as well to assist you to sound out words when working with a paper dictionary.

• Eyespeak - Software to learn pronunciation. If you are looking for software to help you learn better pronunciation, this company offers a free trial period to test out their English pronunciation software.

Proper pronunciation can often make the difference between a willing audience and an audience that would rather cover their ears. Learn pronunciation to ensure your audience is in the former group.