Speak with your heart, the ultimate rule to improve your language charm

Language is an important skill of human beings. It is first of all a kind of creative thinking and a high-level function of the brain. When we speak, we are not repeating a ready-made sentence, but we use words to create the sentence in our mind and then make it into sound through the movement of the vocal organs.

Although almost everyone can speak, not many people really know how to speak. When writing, many people will think twice and try to express their thoughts in the most appropriate way. However, when speaking, they often speak directly according to the inertia of thinking, regardless of the other party's emotions and the occasion, which easily leads to the dilemma of "speaking too much and making mistakes".

Those who are good at using language can be outstanding diplomats. In the Spring and Autumn Period, Tian Chang, a minister of Qi, wanted to attack Lu. Confucius' disciple Zigong went to various countries to lobby. Within 10 years, Lu survived, Qi was in turmoil, Wu was destroyed, Jin and Yue became strong, and the situation of the five countries changed. Of course, this does not mean that "skillful speech and good debate" is always a good thing. The good eloquence of Su Qin, Li Shiqi, Ni Heng and others did not bring a good end.

The art of speaking requires long-term practice and flexible application, and it also requires judging the situation and making comprehensive considerations. This article mainly discusses the beautification of speech from the perspective of voice. The beautification of speech lies first in clear and accurate voice. The basic unit of speech is the syllable, and the syllable is composed of phonemes. For example, "Mandarin" consists of three syllables, which can be analyzed into eight phonemes: "p, u, t, o, ng, h, u, a". Phonemes are divided into initial consonants and finals. When the initial consonants and finals are connected, a syllable is produced.

The vocalization process involves three parts: the brain, efferent nerves, and vocal muscles. The brain synthesizes language information, like a headquarters; the efferent nerves transmit motor instructions to the vocal muscles in the form of nerve impulses, like a herald; the vocal muscles include the muscles that control the vocal cords and the muscles of the pharynx, oral cavity, and nasal cavity, as well as the respiratory muscles (exhalation is required when speaking). These muscles are the executors of the voice - their movements cause air vibrations, that is, sound waves. If we speak frequently, the brain areas, efferent nerves, and muscles involved in voice are fully exercised, the coordination is more tacit, and the voice can be more fluent, natural, and clear; on the contrary, if we are silent for a long time, it is difficult to develop good speaking skills.

To beautify the voice, you also need to maintain a normal speaking speed. Language is usually a communication between two parties, and a pleasant conversation requires an appropriate speaking speed. If the speaking speed is too fast, the duration and interval of the syllables will be too short, and the listener will not be able to correctly distinguish the information parameters in the voice, and the brain will not be able to understand its semantics; on the contrary, if the speaker speaks too slowly, the duration and interval of the syllables will be too long, which will cause the listener to pause in processing the sound information and feel irritated. If you have the problem of speaking too fast or too slow, you should consciously adjust it.

Chinese has tones and is a relatively slow language, with about 310 syllables per minute, while Japanese and Spanish are relatively fast languages, with about 470 syllables per minute. Chinese syllables contain a large amount of information, and if translated into Japanese or Spanish, the number of syllables will increase significantly. This is the uniqueness of Chinese. It is difficult for another language to derive the neatness, simplicity and rhythmic beauty of Tang poetry and Song lyrics.

Beautiful voices are full of magnetism, making people feel pleasant and fascinating. "Magnetism" comes from the wonderful "overtones". Whether it is speaking, singing, or the sound of musical instruments, they are not single tones, but compound tones. Compound tones contain different frequencies, one of which is the main frequency, and the rest are overtones (also called partial tones or harmonics). Overtones have a very important influence on the characteristics of timbre. The wider the frequency range of overtones and the more balanced the intensity distribution, the more beautiful the timbre. If the overtones in the treble part are too strong, the timbre becomes sharp and harsh, and if they are too weak, it becomes not bright enough; if the overtones in the bass part are too strong, the timbre becomes turbid and unclear, and if they are too weak, it becomes thin. Overtones come from the resonance of the oral cavity, nasal cavity and chest cavity. Some people are born with good conditions and their voices are naturally magnetic. If you master the correct way to make sounds, you can make beautiful overtones.

If the above methods of beautifying your voice require a long period of practice, then the simplest way to beautify your voice is to speak sincerely and attentively. When we speak with emotion, our voice will naturally fluctuate, and it will not be as bland as a diary. Our emotions will unconsciously guide changes in speech speed, tone, etc. along with facial expressions and body language.

"Speak with your heart" should be the ultimate rule to improve the charm of language.

(The author is an associate professor at Central China Normal University and a member of the Chinese Society for Neuroscience)