Speaking Of...

A colleague of mine was recently invited to a dinner party in a private home to celebrate Independence Day, July 4. What made this party stand out from the usual cookout fare was that it was hosted by a Japanese couple, and the menu was sushi. Only in the USA!

Beyond the elaborate and artful food presentation, which the Japanese, among other cultures, are known for, was the dinner time conversation. The host couple, although undoubtedly fluent in their understanding of English, spoke little of it. This made communication challenging.

How do those of us fluent in English communicate with audiences whose first language is not English? That answer intrigued me, so I asked my colleague what she did. Lots of eye contact, body language, and listening. With unfamiliar cuisine, lots of mimicking so that you learn to eat the foods as a native would.

As speakers it seems our mouths overflow with words, but when words fail us, what can we do? Here is an instance where finding out all we can before the speech will help immeasurably. Listening on a deeper level. Here is also where the power of body language can outdo mere words.

My colleague raved about the party, and not only because the food was so spectacular. A bridge was strengthened that night, between cultures and people.

Congratulations Region VII Toastmasters International Speech Contest winners. Left to right--David Flowers (3rd), Katherine Morrison (winner and World Championship contestant, August 2008 contest), and Nana Danso (2nd).                                    

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