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Speakers, trainers, and presenters generally agree with each other on proper speaking techniques.  We all agree that you should strive to maintain eye contact, infuse your speech with vocal variety, and present useful information to your listener.

The community is largely divided on the issue of word choice when speaking.  Many speakers believe that you should speak in terms above your audience’s comprehension level.  That same school of speakers believe that big confusing words make you sound smart and attract people to your message.

Think about that line of reasoning for a second.  Why say you enjoy open camp fires?  Doesn’t the word conflagration sound better? Why would you say your sandwich was disgusting?  Wouldn’t it be better if you expressed your abhorrence with the selection? Why would you describe the night as dark?  The tenebrous night makes you sound much smarter. Right?

It is true that smarter people use bigger words isn’t it?  You have to be smart to trap such large words in your brain.  Your ordinary person just doesn’t use words like conflagration, abhorrence, and tenebrous.  If you use them then that automatically makes you smart and worthy of attention, doesn’t it?

I’m searching for a phrase here.  Let me find the right way to say it.  Here we go.

NO…it doesn’t make you sound smarter. Read on to discover 3 Painfully Obvious Reasons to Speak in Plain English.

1. Large Words Block Information Flow

The typical million dollar, 4 syllable word is a confusing beast.  The object of speaking, presenting, or communicating ideas is to transit information.  Information can not be successfully received and processed if it is not understood.

You could take the stance that you are only talking to people who understand all the words you use.  I’m fine with that if you enjoy talking to yourself.  Don’t be stubborn enough to think that people will take from their precious time to research all the jargon that comes out of your mouth. Your information (and the time that went into preparing it) will be discarded on the spot if it is beyond comprehension.

If your message is not understood then you might as well not talk.

2. Boring

Think about what you do when someone goes on and on about something that you don’t understand or have little interest in.  At first you are incredibly interested.  Natural curiosity will carry you through the introduction.  After 30 minutes of listening to someone drone on about things you don’t know in a language you can’t comprehend you lose interest.

Your eyes get hazy.

You suddenly gain an interest in folding the corners of your paper.

Your fingernails become an entree.

You do anything you can to pass the time as the speaker continues to pound you with layer upon layer of confusing nonsense.  When it is all over you quickly collect your things and leave.

Did you learn anything from that speaker? NO.

Do you want people to learn when you speak? ABSOLUTELY.

3.  Condescending

The last thing you want to do when presenting is give off the impression that you are better than your audience.  Don’t get it confused.  People enjoy being around successful people. That is a proven fact. A vocabulary full of dictionary words doesn’t do anything to cement your success.  In fact, going overboard with the large words will do more to tarnish your success.

When people enter a conversation, turn on the news, or sit in a chair and listen to you speak they want to understand what you are saying.  If you continuously toss use words beyond the comprehension of your audience you will earn the label of an arrogant elitist.

I’m sure you know one or two people whom you consider to be arrogant.  Would you ever listen to them talk for more than 10 seconds? Of course not.

Your audience feels the same way about arrogant people.

Conclusion

Don’t take this article the wrong way.  I am an intellectual if you ever met one.  I graduated from one of the toughest engineering schools in the country, my IQ is 125, and I build indestructible battle ships out of wet paper bags.   If anyone can think at a high level I can most certainly do it.

I also have a strong grasp on what it means to be a great communicator.  You don’t have to act like you’re reading Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham to your child’s 3rd grade class.  A normal tone with strong descriptive words and great information will do just fine.

Large confusing words are fine in the right environment.  If you’re in a room full of neurosurgeons, MENSA members, or PhD students feel free to express yourself with every 4, 5, and 6 syllable word you know.  Everybody else wants to hear your information in plain English.

If you disagree then invite me to your next presentation.  Take special precaution to use all the million dollar words and confusing catch phrases.  I’ll be sure to bring a pillow. I refuse to be the only person awake!

written by Marcus A Smith