Speech-wise be wise

Verbal communication or speech communication is one of the most vital subject areas in human communication. One can afford to lose so many members in group than earning them via speech mannerisms. Religious teachers have taught that 'good words' matter and the vice versa brings adverse results.

One veteran Sinhala broadcaster Chandana Tillekeratne, who is currently the Sinhala radio programme adviser in Chinese Broadcasting Corporation in Beijing, brings out a volume of human situations pertaining to the subject, in his book titled as 'Kathaven Dinana Maga' (Fast publications). Most materials that go to mould the book consist of his own experiences.

In his introduction to the work, Tillakeratne states that a long time ahs been devoted to gather material that goes into the fourteen chapters. The work commences with an introduction to the 'Art of Speech' where he points out the basic was and manners of special patterns, like gesture, use of words and how they are presented. These points are further developed in the chapter titled 'voice personality' where an indication is made to observe how human communication works in various situations in day to day life. Then come other situations like the use of media channels where he excels.

The salient qualities that should be adhered to by the announcer are underlined knowing the listener becomes he main topic. In radio and television, the main respondent is known by the term 'listener' all over the world. But listener's attention is drawn to a communicator only when he or she becomes intimately linked to a message.

A preference is given to the communicator dependent on varying moments. If the listener is disappointed, he will instantly tune the channel to another one. This becomes a challenge. As such the present day communicator is taught as to how the listener's attention is drawing. Communication teachers have to teach the subject scientifically.

Attention is also drawn to the area of interest on the right use or the appropriate use of language, which is a factor quite forgotten by the present day broadcasters. The use of language, according to Tillekeratne, is nothing but the basic language discipline achieved by an announcer over the years. The clarity in the use of verbal patterns is underlined. This could only be achieved over the years in actual practice. The use of language could only be underlined. This could only be achieved over the years in actual practice. The use of language could only be achieved by training oneself by knowing the strengths and limits of the sound medium in broadcasting. In the traditional training 'bhanakas' or preachers were given this training.

Tillekerante too emphasises that 'public relations' is a concept that depends heavily on the appropriate use of language either in groups or in media channels. His presents quite a number of anecdotes drawn from his own experiences as a broadcaster to drive in this factor. How some of the adverse behaviour patterns affect an announcer too is brought to light. For a good speaker as well as a broadcaster the concept of 'preparation' matters is a common phenomenon. Tillekeratne quotes a few occasions where some had foiled in this mission as a result of the failure to do the home work. 'Broadcasters in certain instance look like parrots' comes a common comment levelled against especially the FM radio announcers. The reason for being parrots could be well understood as a result of the failure to prepare before the microphone.

I have seen young announcers, who enter the studios and face the mike and the camera without much prior preparation. They are more worried about their 'voice' and 'facial appearance' as against the knowledge about what he or she wants to disseminate. The last chapter discusses several factors pertaining to the much discussed concept of 'the freedom of expression'.

In this direction, he provided experiences drawn from various political and social situations. This enables one to gauge the extent to which a communicator engages in the so called freedom of expression. The much debatable subject has to be taken seriously by all communicators. Depending on the cultural ethical and ethnic issues the freedom of expression has its own limitations. In this manner in a way Chandana Tillekeratne's book looks like a manual cum pioneer creative product.

The work could be recommended as a handbook to a budding communicator who yearns to learn more about their career. Though a special emphasis is laid on the sound and visual media, the material may fit into other media as well.