As the BBC has abandoned the reporting of the News and migrated to what can only be politely described as ‘Blah Blah’, one tends to have this ‘white noise’ as opposed to actual words.
Blah Blah consists of pointless interviews, (people you never heard of or will recall in an hour) so called reports and/or discussions about nothing whatsoever, actually listening is contra-indicated. It becomes the tone of the voice which captures, (if it captures) or repels.
The voice, its tone, its cadence, more than the words, (as the words are nothing one needs to hear) which either activates listening or contra-indicates it.
Hearing the sound of a voice and not bothering to discern the words reminds me of something that happened many years ago.
We were in a different country sitting at a prestigious place having conversations when people to the side began speaking in a local slangy way.
I suppose all countries have their Patwa/Pidgin/Creole/Ebonics, whatever it is called in your country.
Someone, in a perky manner, asked our host, “What are they saying?”
Our host, who came from the country, lived there, shrugged and replied; “Who cares? When people talk like that they can’t be saying anything important.”
I wondered about the response until recently. For if you asked me, I too would have said it.
The gals were having some discussion in the loud raucous patwa that is supposed to be ‘fi wi langwij’ (our language).
Patwa is usually spoken loud and semi-belligerently, often quickly. To me it was just ‘white noise’ as when people speak that way, they are only banging their lips, they aren’t saying anything one needs to hear.
When you want to be listened to, there is a way to speak. It isn’t raucous, it isn’t sloppy, it isn’t garbled, it is slow and precise and clear.
If one wants to bawl out words or do that idiotic ‘question’ flick elevation of the voice, or jumble words together, or speak patwa or anyone else’s pidgin or slang… cool.
But why should anyone listen to you?
The tone of voice, the use of words, the use of slang or pidgin signifies you aren’t saying anything of importance. If you aren’t, keep going. But if you are saying something you want others to hear and respect, then don’t sound like a jacked up street punk.
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Some people have their own language and murmuring things up against others. They tend to do such a thing just not be heard. The reason, they are also afraid to be hunted because of their misbehavior towards others. Confrontation is not their way of facing the root cause of the problem. If I meet this kind of people, there is no need to bother listening to them. What's the use of being with people who cannot face the reality of life.
It is the way of talking in a kind of slangy/patwa which, for those who know it, means the chatters aren't saying anything. It is just noise.
Interesting how you describe the BBC News reports. My husband would rather watch the BBC. He thinks it's better than the American news. That's not saying much for our news in America. I have learned to listen to all news report with only one ear and hope that helps filter out the garbage.
Those of us who live or grew up in the ex-Colonies, (or colonies) always listened to the BBC. Once they gave you the news you needed to know because they were there. There were no Jamaicans at the Press Conference at the Whitehouse, or on the streets in Hungary.
So we listen as we grew up learning to do. But, over the years, as the BBC has deteriorated, it is still better than the American news, but not by a mile.
If the speech is governed by language traditions and phonetic guidelines we can not find fault with their speech This is the most refined way of speaking a language.
After this stage the actual damage will start. They research, they make alterations, move and copy other words from others in order to move freely in the society. Hence the language will be distorted, twisted, mingled, minced, and what not many styles spring out as per one's own choice which they want others to follow. Here comes the trouble. It is nothing but forcing the opinion and style on others. This is not good. Really not good.
I recollected the incident which happened in the university I have studied.
It was a farewell party to the final year M.Sc students. We arranged and organized the party.
A student from Satya Sai college came to the dais and has given a speech. The words he used, the expression he used everything was highly selected was a great effort he made throughout the night referring the dictionary. The effort he made could force some including our Professor to smile at the end of the speech. There was silent even after the completion of the speech as no one knows what he said and where did he stop.
When I talked from the same dias there was good response from all the students and other colleagues. There was a big applaud as everybody could understand what did I speak and how did I express my feelings towards my seniors and gave them a farewell message. I have not used even a single word which could not be comprehended by any of the spectators and another professor
The tone I used was in proportionate to the size of the Auditorium, the words were simple, there was no resounding, there was no resounding of voice or tone.
Always speak in a language with a clear tone, using simple words that can be understandable by others. It is only then the speech will carry any effect on others.
Otherwise, it is like speaking in Spanish before an Italian.
It is the words and how they are spoken, but also, as you said, knowing what you are saying.