OTHER WEEKEND READING. ♦ Are Fiji's Courts Free of Political Interference? ♦ A New World is Possible-Fr Barr ♦ Sheep farming in Fiji ♦ Foreign Policy and Rugby: a Strange Game Indeed (to be posted Sunday afternoon)
Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.
Elocution Classes
All TV presenters should undergo elocution classes so that they can pronounce words properly. If they say that English is their second language and cannot or will not pronounce English words properly, then they should not be reading the news. They should do something else. English being their second language is not an excuse. Proper public speaking is important in that we have children and interested people and English teachers listening. What do we want to teach our children? I had a daughter in kindergarten a few years ago who used to sing a nursery rhyme and pronounced thumb as tum. “Where is tum where is tum, here it is.” Horrible, isn’t it? This was because the teacher pronounced it like that. We had a hard time convincing her because she believed in her teacher.
Now when I hear TV presenters mispronouncing words I think back to those days. Voice modulation is also important. It can be grating on the ears if the presenter has a sing-song speaking style.
Elocution? The Internet says:
Broadly speaking, the word “elocution” refers to one’s manner of speaking or oral delivery. Elocution is particularly used in reference to an orator’s manner of speech when speaking or reading aloud in public. Elocution can also refer to the study of proper public speaking, with particular attention paid to pronunciation, grammar, style, and tone. Elocution is an art form.
Elocution is important for teachers, too. Today's TV presenters were once at school.
2 comments:
Voice modulation and elocution? some of us were taught these as subjects in themselves at school: Elocution Classes. For very good reason that the manner of language delivery is vital to the manner in which the message is understood. Many professions overseas still value these skills. They are skills and may be acquired with good teachers. There should be one in every Primary School in Fiji. And the broadcast Media should begin immediately: no more early morning 'hollerin'' but soothing and sensible tones to start the day? Failing this, harken to President Barack Obama!
Should not ongoing voice training by news presenters be policy in all local tv and radio sttions where presentation using voice is a core activity? Should it not be an essential component of their Strategic Plans ? Current news presenters on Fiji One are certainly easier to listen to than some in the past.
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