Can one become articulate?

Fielder57 · 2016-05-05T12:42:24+00:00

I was privately educated and had to do elocution lessons growing up. I come from a pretty rough town and a broken home so i used to speak like absolute dog-shit. I spent 2 years doing public speaking, poetry reading and a whole load of other shit i never want to do again, But i went from speaking like Turkish in Snatch to talking like Daniel Craig in James Bond (I Don't sound like him though), An well pronounced English accent that is not pretentious. I was about 15 at the time. It eventually stuck and has helped me throughout the rest of my life working in a corporate environment.

So yes it really can be picked up at later stages in life, Actors have voice coaches etc. It also depends on who you associate with, my LTR's accent was very bad when we met, Now we live together and she works in a very prestigious environment in an affluent town with well educated co-workers her accent and pronunciation has improved dramatically.

EDIT does help that I'm English.

MattyAnon · 2016-05-05T13:56:58+00:00

You can improve a LOT.

You want regular practice and feedback. 15 mins a day practising, and training/feedback as often as you can (eg once per week).

What's your problem / sticking point?

VasiliyZaitzev · 2016-05-05T14:53:06+00:00

It can absolutely be developed. If you are really serious, look and see if there is a "Toastmasters" near you. That will help with the public speaking part.

Build your vocab through reading. You can use higher end periodicals and/or books by good writers.

Also, some element of it is critical thinking. When you are reading the news, ask yourself "why" something is going on. My dad started me on this young, when I was a boy. We'd get into the car and say "What is the best route to take to [destination] and why?" But you can learn it when you are older, also.

quicklogaccount · 2016-05-05T14:09:13+00:00

Hey, languages are an interesting topic. Your original language effects on how you think. :)

Anyways, yeah. I notice I suffer heavy influence from the reading I'm doing in foreign languages, and I've had the opportunity to see the same going on with some friends. I guess it's fair to call it passive influence.

And there are plenty of techniques to actively and quickly change the way you speak too. I suppose they're idiom specific and I never did any research on the ones for English though.

Phyzis · 2016-05-05T15:01:37+00:00

Yes obviously you can become more articulate. Project your voice from the diaphragm as if you were a strip club DJ. Read something aloud and record it then listen to it and find words you stutter on or say too fast. Slow down.

Do this and join your local ToastMasters (public speaking training.) It's usually filled with career-driven people making it a networking opportunity. In ancient Rome citizens were often told to read aloud when they were sick to clear the throat. Whether or not it works I do not know, but the last time I had a head cold it seemed to help me.

DoofusCPA · 2016-05-05T16:02:01+00:00

While I was getting my masters I learned how to be articulate thanks to all the presentations I had to do.

SoRedSuchAlpha · 2016-05-06T01:28:51+00:00

What do you mean when you say "bad at speaking?"

meh613 · 2016-05-06T05:29:54+00:00

Join Toastmasters for a couple of years and you'll be more articulate. Regardless of your age.

Title	Can one become articulate?
Author	joesphz
Upvotes	6
Comments	8
Date	May 5, 2016 12:32 PM UTC (10 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askTRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/asktrp/comments/4hzohy/can_one_become_articulate/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askTRP/can-one-become-articulate.104993 https://theredarchive.com/post/104993

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