The paradox of today is that with a giant leap forward in the field of development of science and technology, society in the post-Soviet space is moving with the same leaps and bounds back in the field of education and general literacy. There are both objective and subjective reasons for this. The first include experiments with redrawing school curricula, lack of uniformity in curricula and study guides, unsuccessful forms of taking exams, a general decline in the prestige of education and the formation of a strong stereotype among schoolchildren and then students: “Education is paid. I have paid. I am obliged to give ratings for just that. Moreover, you have to give bribes, i.e. I pay at a double rate. Therefore, poking over objects and textbooks makes no sense! ”
And to the second - first of all, the loss of interest in books, reading fiction. And, strangely enough, communication via SMS, in various chats, in different forums. Anonymity, an informal environment and speed of correspondence make people neglect punctuation, think over the structure of their messages and posts, and “filter” the vocabulary used. And sometimes a situation arises that is very suitable for the famous “you can’t execute mercy”.
The main signs of competent speech
So, first of all, you should remember and understand: competent speech provides us with full communication and successful understanding in a given situation, whether it is a conversation with superiors, a discussion of the burning problems of public life or the resolution of domestic conflict. If there is no understanding, if people seem to speak different languages, they will not come to a common denominator. A clumsy speech with many stylistic errors can nullify even the most thorough efforts.
- Literate speech is free from the words “parasites”. In people with a small vocabulary, they are very common and are used to fill in the pauses during which such a person tries to find the right word or expression. The words of this type include the well-known “like that,” “like,” “e,” “well,” and so on.
- Literate speech is little compatible with swear words, especially obscene. No matter how decently a man is dressed, no matter how respectably he looks and no matter what lofty matters he discusses, but if he generously sprinkles his speeches and uses frank scolding for a bunch of words, he won’t be pulled into the role of a culturally, intelligent person. Of course, there are situations when abnormal vocabulary turns out to be in place, but they, fortunately, are quite rare. In everyday life, competent speech and verbal dirt are incompatible.
- Jargonisms should not clog your tongue. An exception is made only for the professional sphere, when terminology is necessary and simplifies communication. In other cases, it is worth referring to synonyms.
- Always remember Chekhov ’s dictum about brevity and talent. Indeed, speech literacy is, among other things, the mastery of the word, the ability to choose the most accurate, clear expressions, to speak about the case and it is clear.
- Pay attention not only to the richness of your vocabulary, but also the culture of speech etiquette. Try to build sentences and statements not “anyhow”, but in accordance with the norms and rules of punctuation and stylistics of the Russian language, if you speak it, or any other you speak.
- A competent statement of speech includes observing the norms of stress, lowering and raising the tone in different parts of sentences, the ability to withstand logical and intonational pauses, and to observe intonation. In fact, this is an oratory, and every self-respecting person should own it.
Afterword
Work on yourself - it is always difficult whether it is a question of slimness of a figure or learning a foreign language. It is equally difficult to learn to master the speech perfectly. But probably! What is needed for this? Of course, read, and, above all, Russian classics. To make explanatory and spelling dictionaries, phraseological and dictionaries of synonyms, antonyms, and other reference books with your handbooks. Constantly engage in word formation. Control yourself in forms of verbal expression.