This week, another strategy to adopt when speaking to an audience of people who don’t share your accent.
In previous tips I've suggested you:- speak more slowly than usual.
- allow time at the beginning for the audience to "tune in" to your accent, before you get to the meat of your speech.
- explicitly address the accent difference, so your audience don't spend time focussing on the accent and not the content.
One more tip:- Consider putting key words on a Whiteboard, Flipchart, PowerPoint or Keynote slide.
This can do three things. First, it can help your audience "tune in" to your accent and make the connection between the word they see and how you say it. Second, it is especially valuable where you are using a technical term, or a word they may be unfamiliar with. Third, it can prevent an audience mis-hearing you all together.
For example of point one - if you are talking about "Transporting Privacy norms to different Cultures" - your audience can hear how you pronounce the words "transport" and "privacy" while seeing the word written in front of them (this would also be a good time to address the difference in pronunciation directly)
For example of points 2 and 3: if you were talking about your Whakapapa to an audience in the US or UK, it would be worth displaying the term, explaining its pronunciation and meaning.
Do you have any other strategies that work well for you?
Today on the Help for Speakers Q and A @ 1 you can bring any speaking or marketing related area you'd like to discuss. Join me by ringing 0800 449 288, and entering the guest code 54052101#.
For more speaker tips and ideas visit www.HelpforSpeakers.com.
To talk to Rachel about coaching, speech-development or training ring +64 3 355 6269, e-mail rachel@HelpforSpeakers.com.
Join the Help for Speakers weekly Q and A session every Wednesday from 1.00-1.30pm NZT (that's 11.00-11.30 Australian EST). Ring in if you have a question, need inspiration or ideas for an upcoming presentation, or want to talk about speaking as a way to get business. From New Zealand call 0800 449 288, from Australia call 1800 036 0901, and then enter the Guest Access Code 54052101#. If you want to call in from the US, e-mail me and I'll sort out the calling line (the time is 6pm Tuesday Pacific Time, 9pm EST). If you wan to ring from the UK, e-mail me, and I'll find a time to talk when we are both awake.
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