There are two forms of communication: verbal and nonverbal. Although it's commonly known that a high percentage of conversation lies within nonverbal communication, written and verbal communication can be just as monumental with regard to how you are perceived in this world.
I believe communication came from our desire to transcend our isolation and have some sort of connection with one another. It started with simple terms, such as “water” or “food.” But it gets interesting when we use that same system of symbols to communicate all the abstract and intangible things that we're experiencing. For example, what is frustration? What is anger? Love?
When I say "love," the sound comes out of my mouth and hits the other person's ear, travels through this Byzantine conduit in their brain, through their memories of love or lack of love, they register what I'm saying, and they say "Yes, I understand."
But how do I know they understand? Because words are inert. So much of our experience is intangible. So much of what we perceive cannot be expressed. It's unspeakable. And yet, when we communicate with one another, we feel that we're connected, and we think that we're understood. I think we have a feeling of almost spiritual communion.
That feeling might be transient, but I think it's what we live for (source). The importance of speaking properly and accurately lies within the importance of being understood. If you expect others to understand you, you must equip yourself with the necessary tools that will enable you to translate your feelings and thoughts into words… and that can be a daunting task.
Effective communication is the only portal in which you have the possibility of being understood. Speaking poorly causes people to disassociate from the message you’re sending, and focus solely on the words themselves… not the meanings behind them.
Those who speak the fewest words, yet convey the most powerful messages are those I admire most. I still strive to achieve that goal, but feel I am far from it… Gandhi's style is one of the most admirable to me... "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." He had a way of projecting these deep, profound concepts with only ten simple words. "Be the change you wish to see in the world." Those who communicate the most effectively are those who possess this ability.
Nevertheless, on to my next point. People judge others based on the way they speak. Poor English often equates to unintelligence, unprofessionalism, and sometimes even more unfair judgments, such as class, race, income level, etc. It is sad, but true. If you’re at a job interview, and you speak poorly, or your résumé contains grammatical errors, chances are likely you won’t be hired at all, or won’t be hired for a high-paying position. Studies have shown that those who speak more eloquently tend to receive higher paying jobs, more opportunities in the workplace, more social mobility, and a great deal of social success. Writing and speaking an above-average level of English will open doors for you in the career world, social world, and beyond.
A great example of a universally known dumbass is George W. Bush. Why is it common knowledge that he’s got the mental agility of a soap dish? It all began with his impeccably poor English. Strategery? Nucular? Misunderestimated? Yikes…
My intention here is not to slam those with poor speaking and writing skills. Instead, it is to explain the importance of proper English – written and verbal – and hopefully motivate those who wish to enhance their lives, to read, research and learn on a daily basis. Learning one new word or fact each day can dramatically improve one’s ability to speak and write effectively. Reading, writing and speaking have always been natural strong points of mine, yet I still continue to learn new words nearly every day, and incessantly try to improve the way I communicate with others. I've been told in business that people often perceived me as an intelligent person within the first few minutes of meeting me, simply because of the way I presented myself. The point being, communication is important… and the style in which you carry it out is just as significant.
