Tagged with: language
Let me wish you a happy new year. Happy. That sounds normal, doesn’t it?
But how about a felicitous 2010! More expensive. More sophisticated. Difficult. I really had to look this word up in the dictionary.
I personally like an awesome 2010! It has more passion. It sounds youthful. At least, that is what I think. If you learn a lot of English watching television and movies, it’s hard to know if it’s really how people talk, or just some over the top presentation of reality.
By adapting your language you can improve your communication. By using simple words, a child will understand you better. By using the vocabulary of the industry, the client will connect easier.
By changing your language you can also improve the relation with a person. By talking “the same” you appear more similar, and the more similar you are perceived, the more attracted you are to your conversation partner.
“Speech convergence includes reducing the linguistic differences between oneself and one’s interlocutor in terms of accent, dialect, paralinguistic features, or the language of choice. Convergence is a tool among many that individuals use as a means “to become more similar to another.”” (Wikipedia)
It doesn’t matter if you have a job interview, talking to a project sponsor or trying to get a date. Like attract likes and language is a huge influencer in that process.
I like to use the word “awesome” instead of “felicitous” as I like to appeal more to people who like passionate words over expensive sounding ones.
You can choose your audience by choice of words.
You can choose your group association by choice of language.
If you talk like a Project Manager, you are a Project Manager. At least to the outside world. And if you sling in the word “awesome” once in a while, you’re a cool PM.
Our choice of words do a lot with the interactions we have. We can use it to clarify. We can use it for manipulation.
Are you aware of your choice of words? Why do you use those words, and not other ones?
Do you know? I am really interested to know.
You don’t use “happy” because that would be too normal? Afraid you attract normal people as an audience?
Happy New Year.
Dear Bas,
Happy New Year!
Simple, when someone “smart” tell it to you – I’d say all people are not made the same by the “Original Architect” but we all can better ourselves with smart inputs on simple tricks! Thanks for a well written insight!!
@Peter:
Uhm. Perhaps I am. I am aware that this blogs style is not everyone’s cup of tea. And the style is on purpose. So… 
@Param: yep, we are all different. Thankfully so
But becoming aware is easier said than done. At least for me. Thanks for your kind words and wishes.
Just wanted to be clear that this post is not about tricks on how to manipulate or pose, but about you being aware of your own language and being interested in the language from the other.
Just to be sure
Hi Bas,
Happy New Year.
Wishing you a glorious year !
It was the most unlikely place to find such comment. It made my day.