Jesus Pimp

I have a problem with articulating when talking to people. I know it can't happen overnight but what are some good ways to practice and improve my articulating skills?

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maleficent

If you are asked a question, don't think you have to answer immediately, take a second or two, breath, and think about what you are going to say. Then say it. If you think about what you are saying first, then you tend to stumble over your words a lot less.

Practice when you are home.

Way back when the dinosaurs walked the earth, I had to take Effective Speaking in order to graduate from college. The best advice I got there, was to sit in front of the mirror and have a conversation with yourself.

There's conversation starter type questions all over the web, start with stuff like that, ask yourself the question, then answer it, and watch yourself, watch your mannerisms.

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Talon Valdez

I find the best way in general, is indeed to take your time. Unless your on a battlefield somewhere, or in the back of an ambulance, there's really no need to rush conversation. Whoever you're talking to will most likely be there for more than five seconds, so you shouldn't feel the need to rush in all tongues blazing.

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onodrim

Again, it's about the timeing. Just relax, take the time to think about what you're going to say, and don't feel the need to rush it all out on one breathe. Just think and speak slowly, and it should help you a lot. I've always been a really fast talker, and it's taken me many years of practice to get it to a point where people can understand me. Don't worry, it will get better if you work at it over time.

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yakimushi

Stop talking with your mouth full

But seriously, just take your time and think through what you want to say. Don't be afraid to pause mid-sentence either, just don't be abnoxious about it.

TM875

The hardest problem I've always faced is that, by the time the an idea has formed into words, my brain has already moved on to several dozen different topics. In other words, the synapses get all cofuzzled and mixed together.

Try to think only of the subject at hand - don't let your mind stray too far from the words that you're saying. Slow down, until it sounds as if you're speaking at half the tempo that you usually do (this is especially true if you're from the northeast), and try to actually rationalize what you're saying - don't just say it.

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Shades

It also helps to redo conversations in your mind. Think of some conversation that you wanted to say something different in, and start making up alternatives.

Rodney

I reiterate what others have said -- slow down, gather your thoughts before beginning. There's sometimes the fear of leaving a hole or gap in the conversation, but you can fill it with, "lemme think for a second," or "give me a second to find the right words," or something like that.

I had a problem that was similar, not necessarily identical. My mind moved faster than my mouth and I left out key concepts and mashed the syntax when trying to make a statement when I was interested or excited. Just take a moment to gather your thoughts -- in the end, you'll get your ideas across more quickly than if you just plow ahead.

maleficent

Eh -- don't worry so much about filling the holes, that is what tends to lead to the "crutches" that people use... Uhhhh.... Ummmmm... Like......

Tape yourself having a conversation, even if you are chatting online with someone, speak out twhat youo are typing, and record it - then listen to how you sound -- you should hear what you need to work on.

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MSD

If you have a webcam, record a video of yourself. Watch your mouth and see if you're not opening it wide enough, or are tending to mumble, or are suffering fulll facial paralysis, whatever. If it looks out of place, it probably is. Listen, and try to correct what sounds unclear.

shakran

get yourself a microphone and a set of headphones. Talk into the mic and listen to yourself on the 'phones - you'll hear where you stumble. Keep working until you've fixed it. Easiest way is to read out loud - anything will do.

anti fishstick

yeah i have the same problem. i'm always afraid i'm going to sound stupid. i've heard that you shouldn't think so much about *what* you're going to say and just say it. life has to be improv sometimes.

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Cynthetiq

that is correct. Life is not a dress rehearsal.

I also recommend. Standing/sitting up straight, smiling when you speak (somehow it comes out in your voice) annunciating all your words, and take your time.

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unoaman

Those that say to listen to yourself talk, are right. A few years ago I had an illness that caused me some difficulty when speaking. My Doctor said to get a small recorder, and talk to it when at home, just as if it were a person. Felt silly but when fixing dinner, or doing the dishes, I would have conversations with a damn tape recorder! Didn't take long though to identify my problem areas, and then work towards correcting them.

Kostya

Well I'm a ranter, so some people find it difficult to keep up with me...

I did a lot of public speaking and such in school, also I get a lot of practice in when the radio in my car breaks and I have to talk to myself to be amused...

I talk a shitload though, taking your time and picking your words is probably better...

Also, only use a word if you are certain what it means, so many people accidentally come off sounding stupid by using large words incorrectly, myself included...

alpha

This has been and still is a big problem for me. I got some good tips from this thread as well.

clavus

It has been mentioned already, but let me reiterate - do not underestimate the power of the pause. Don't worry about the sudden silence. You can do something to fill it up so that it seems more natural (i.e. break into a smile, take a breath, take a drag on your cigar, pull out, etc.)

When you pause, it gives your brain a chance to get its shit together before it starts feeding words into your mouth.

Don't be afraid to repeat the question back to the other person before you answer. "Why do I think that Bill Cosbyis the Antichrist? Well, Dick, let me tell you..."

Be concise. Less is more. State your point, then shut up. It makes you look much smarter than you would if your prattled on and on. If you leave the listener with a question, he will most likely ask it, thereby putting the ball back in your court.

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maleficent

Just don't do that when you are talking to a female - repeating the question back is a well-known stall for time, and you can be pretty darned certain a fib will follow.

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TheBrit

Do you read often? It's not going to help pronunciation, but will help with eloquence to a degree.
It all depends on what you read though.