Page 288 - Between One and Many The Art and Science of Public Speaking

Self-Assessment

Language Sensitivity

Read each response and record whether you Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Neither Agree
nor Disagree (N), Disagree (D), or Strongly Disagree (SD) with the statement.
1. I am always mindful of the words and phrases
I use to express myself. SA A N D SD
2. I try to avoid using offensive words and phrases. SA A N D SD
3. I try to avoid speaking in clichés. SA A N D SD
4. I can express myself without using slang. SA A N D SD
5. I try not to use colloquial expressions excessively. SA A N D SD
6. I can easily switch from informal to formal speech. SA A N D SD
7. I try to adapt my language to different people
and situations. SA A N D SD
8. I can be clear and eloquent. SA A N D SD
9. I am not turned off by people who use words I don’t know. SA A N D SD
10. I am not easily put-off by words I judge offensive. SA A N D SD
SA=5 A=4 N=3 D=2 SD=1

Add your score using the preceding scale.

cessful, such people shape both the meaning we give to words and phrases and
how we react to their referents.
As a case in point, the words and phrases politicians repeatedly use to de-
scribe themselves and defi ne issues are no accident. They are the result of con-
sultants, focus groups, and surveys of people just like us. Think about two “hot
button” issues that have characterized recent political campaigns: taxes and
abortion.
One of the best examples of how the meaning of words can be manipulated
is the federal tax levied on a family’s inheritance. Even though less than one
percent of all families are touched by this tax, many politicians rail against this
“death tax” as if 99 percent of all families will have to pay it.
Another example involves how politicians have distorted the abortion debate
by framing it with the terms pro-choice and pro-life. Survey after survey shows
that abortion is not a black and white issue. Most people believe that while abor-
tion should be a last resort, it should still be an option in a majority of cases. The
term pro-choice lets politicians avoid the more evocative term, pro-abortion. It
also helps them avoid being specific about where they do or do not draw the

line in terms of a “woman’s right to choose.” Of course, the term pro-life ac-
complishes the same thing for politicians who want to avoid saying that, in most
cases, they believe a woman’s only choice is to give birth.
We are not suggesting that you should model your use of words and phrases
after that of people who put politics above principles. However, we do want
you to critically examine the relationship between words, phrases, and thought.
We also want you to examine how you can use your knowledge of audience
255