The power of simplicity in speaking

Photo by Chris Benson on Unsplash

If you wish people show interest in listening to you, do not forget to keep your speaking as simple as possible. The greatest myth is that sophistication in speech attracts people. Rather, as affirmed by Leonardo da Vinci, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. There is nothing like a simple language that makes people wanting to listen.

At the same time a simple language need not exclude the content of a great thought or idea. The power of simple language lies in its ability to convey grand ideas in unsophisticated manner to express humility. Even complex thoughts should be presented in the simplest words in a manner easily comprehensible by everyone.

Nonetheless, it is not as simple as it is said. Simplicity in language is a rare art that needs great practice to achieve mastery; the practice of having the genuine interest of reaching the listener through every word you utter. Knowingly or unknowingly, you may tend to complicate your language with excesses. Hence a conscious effort is needed in achieving simplicity in your speech. 

What people do not like about your speech, though they may not tell you that:

Here are a certain excesses with respect to language that could divert the listener from the original message you intend to convey and reduce your effectiveness as a speaker. See if they occur in your speech and do consciously avoid them. 

Jargonness: Using too specialized terms that are connected to a particular field and not known to common people. You may do this because you take for granted that the listener knows those words. For example, you may use technical words related to economics while talking to a layperson. 

Verbosity: Using too many words to convey what can be told in few words. The original message is actually lost in the midst of too many words. It shows the speaker's thoughts are not organized or the speaker is trying to speak more than what he or she knows.

Babbling: Talking continuously, too fast, in a foolish manner, sometimes because of over excitement. The purpose of talking is lost, as the speech becomes nothing more than murmuring sound. Some people wrongly think that they could look intelligent by talking too fast, while actually people consider them a chatterbox. 

Grandiosity: This means to be imposing in style, sometimes ostentatiously, by being more elaborate than necessary about some matter. Examples include exaggerating your own achievements before others and trying to criticize or dismiss achievements of others. Self-grandiose can reflect the speaker’s mental disorder. People try to stay away from grandiose speakers. 

Craftiness: Speaking in a cunningly intelligent or witty way to hurt, humiliate, or downgrade somebody. The best example here is, speaking sarcastically. For example, you may praise somebody’s car before a person who cannot afford to own one, with an intention of downgrading the poor fellow. Though your words many not directly speak to it, the poor fellow has got the message because your character speaks louder than your words. 

Some crafty speakers are foolish to the extent of thinking that the listeners cannot understand the covert message in the speech, but actually it clearly reflects the speaker’s negativity. Such a talk is indeed hurtful to listeners and grows feelings of contempt or vengeance in them. To sum up, it is the best tool one could choose to spoil relationships with people. 

People like you when you speak like this:

-- Be organized with your thoughts.

-- Speak in clear and concise way.

-- Use simple day-to-day language.

-- Speak in a straightforward and direct fashion.

-- Try to be artless.

-- Know what you know and what not. Develop the guts to say “I do not know” when you do not know something. 

-- Do not try to embellish.

-- Let only positive things into your mind and out of your mouth. Remember, “Garbage in – Garbage out”. So avoid negativity both in your thoughts and talks. 

-- Be respectful of all.

Myths about simplicity in speaking debunked:

People mistake that by being simple in words, they are likely to be undermined by others. Actually, people respect you and value you more if you remain simple in language. 

People mistake that they need to be tactful by being crafty in their speech. Actually, the best tactic is simplicity, as it conveys your positivity the best way. 

People mistake that by not being tricky in their language, they are prone to be taken advantage by others. Actually, by being simple in your language, people understand you better and love you more. They will want to cooperate and collaborate with you.

“There is no greatness where there is no

simplicity, goodness, and truth.” 

— Leo Tolstoy