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Our Blog  (THE HONG KONG TOASTMASTERS CLUB) 
Summertime - Interesting Use of Language (5th August 2013)

 

Summer brings a very special kind of excitement in the air - people are either going for holidays or coming back, which creates a frenzy that is heady. The word ‘Summertime’ brings up images of colourful and comfortable clothes, sunglasses, hats, ice creams, smoothies, beaches, swimming pool etc. The theme of Summertime was very apt for this meeting.

In this meeting we heard some very interesting use of language. The first speaker Rejoy called himself an ‘Iron Man’ because he met with an accident a few months back because of which some iron plates were inserted in his arms to fix the broken arm. By using the imagery of ‘Iron man’ Rejoy achieved two things- firstly, he could make people laugh at a situation which in reality was a very serious situation. Secondly, listeners could actually visualise the iron plates in his arms.

Rejoy also used the famous saying ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going’. This saying motivates people to be strong and face their problems fearlessly. He gave example of strength from his life to support this saying.

Lawrence Wong’s speech was related to the theme of ‘Summertime’. His topic was ‘My Favourite Water Sports’. In his opening paragraph he said ‘When we think of Hong Kong, we think of business suits and not swimming suits’. This sentence evoked a knowing laughter from the audience. The sentence was very appropriately placed and well delivered. This is a fine example of contrast - ‘business suit’ and ‘swimming suit’. It provided a moment of humour and also demonstrated to those who were receptive, as to how they can use contrast in their speech.

Lawrence used contrast again when he said ‘Instead of going into air conditioned malls, go into the nature – go diving or kayaking’. This reflected the lifestyle of Hong Kongers and the audience could relate to it easily.

The third speaker Philip Ngan used a very interesting and effective phrase ‘piercing power of speech’. This means that words can pierce us like something sharp - maybe arrows or knife. It is a beautiful use of imagery.

Alice Wong, the TME, crafted a moment of humour when she said, “I used to go swimming topless” and after a pause she added “20 years earlier”. Then she gave an added twist by saying “What don’t you believe?...... that I am 25 or that I used to swim topless”. This evoked a hearty laughter from the audience.

To make our speech interesting, it is important to add a generous serving of imagery, contrast, humour and different figures of speech. So fellow toastmasters - “Speak Smart!”

Aparna Sachar


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Posted: THE HONG KONG TOASTMASTERS CLUB, 11 Aug 13, 04:54 by Aparna Sachar    Comments:


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