Most books about public speaking have advice that includes something along the lines of “use proper grammar.” But we shouldn’t always follow that advice. Good grammar is not necessary to be an effective speaker; in fact, it can be harmful. Let me explain.
Have you heard of code switching? Code switching is mixing speech patterns as we communicate. It originally referred to the way multilingual speakers would mix two or more languages as they spoke; for example, in the following sentence, a speaker switches from the English code to the Spanish code: “I’d like to go, but no tengo dinero.” The term is used more broadly now to include adjusting speech patterns in all kinds of situations. For example, it is common for members of ethnic groups to speak differently within the group than when speaking to a more general audience, and for members of one generation to change the way they express themselves when speaking to members of a different generation. You probably adjust your speech style and vocabulary between the softball dugout and the workplace.
All speakers should work to narrow the gap between themselves and the audience. In Own Any Occasion, I talk about “connectors.” Connectors bring us closer to our audience and increase the impact of our messages. One type of connector is content additions, which connect the topic to the lives of the listeners. Another type of connector is code switching, which connects the speaker to the listeners. Good speakers can code switch. They can make stylistic changes to the way they speak that increase proximity to the audience.
But first, a couple of cautions.
I am not talking about pandering. Don’t adopt some forced style of speaking in an attempt to fool your audience. “I know you kids today are gnarly dudes who are all like totally, you know, hipsters.” That won’t work. Do adjust your speaking as necessary. Work on adjustments that flow naturally. A good communicator can easily switch from “We were going to like eat at the buffet but there was like this huge line and like tons of people so we were like ‘let’s just go’,” to “We were going to eat at the buffet but the line was too long, so we left.” Which version will be better for the situation? In some cases, the first version will bring you closer to your listeners, but in others, it will be off-putting.
Sometimes when I suggest code switching, people respond with, “But that’s not who I am! The way I talk is fine! I don’t need to pretend to be someone I’m not.” Making adaptations is not the same as being untrue to yourself. I dressed differently for my presentation at ATD’s International Conference & Exposition than I did when I went to the mini-mart for milk Saturday morning. Both outfits are versions of me. I have others—for the dugout, for bike tours, for an evening with friends, and so on. Because I have worked on code switching over the years, I have many speaking adaptations as well . . . verbal outfits, if you will, to put on as circumstances warrant.
The bottom line: Don’t fall for any advice that suggests good speakers always speak “properly.” Make adjustments to your style. Work on developing several speaking modes. Analyze the audience and feel free to match your talk to their preferences.
