I have been spending the last few days mulling over the difference between speaking and communicating, especially when you need to do so in a foreign language.
It is so common for my students to fall under the spell of wanting to speak that they end up forgetting they also need to communicate. Let me clarify this. According to the Cambridge Dictionary 'to speak' means 'to say words, to use the voice, or to have a conversation with someone'.
However, 'to communicate' means 'to share information with others by speaking, writing, moving your body or using other signals'. Interestingly, 'speaking' as a noun becomes 'the act or skill of giving a speech at a public event' but as the speaker moves on the stage or enunciates behind a lectern, isn't this communication at its finest? I am digressing.
Communication is at the heart of any meaningful interaction and is the hardest skill to master even within your own cultural space. I believe that when speaking and teaching English as a foreign language, focus on communication should be at the core of any exchange. Have you ever had to apologise to someone because your words came across as offensive even if you did not meant to be rude? If so, you know exactly where I am coming from (and no pun intended!).
Un po' di aiuto - keywords
mulling over = rimurginare
to fall under the spell = essere sotto l'incantesimo (del voler parlare inglese)
According to = secondo
enunciates behind a lectern = enuncia dietro ad un leggio
at its finest = al suo meglio
digressing = divagando
meaningful interaction = interazione significativa
to master = da dominare/padroneggiare
at the core of any exchange = al centro di qualsiasi scambio (verbale e comunicativo in questo caso)
came across = è stato interpretato/capito
to be rude = essere maleducato/scortese
no pun intended = è una battuta accidentale; si riferisce qui ai due significati di 'coming from' = provenienza/nazionalità (gli italiani tendono ad essere più diretti nel loro modo di comunicare rispetto ad un britannico) e 'coming from'= da dove arriva la mia esperienza/quello che ho provato.
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