Humans live in communities where speech is essential to both survival and adaptation. Language, including verbal and nonverbal, are the only ways we can communicate in-depth. Humans not only express information, but also emotions, through rate of speaking, tone color, interval between words, intonation and word choice of the speaker.
According to Karl Jung, people can be divided into two different personality types, extrovert and introvert. Extroverts find meaning of life outside themselves, in the world, while introverts tend to introspect it within themselves. He said that people in different categories behave differently as their view towards the world and themselves differ. Although theories of many scholars differ, one common factor among all is that people with different personalities think and feel differently, which then leads them to behave differently, and speak differently.
Rate of speech differs from person to person due to nature and personality. Although it cannot be true in all cases, when one shows discontentment or disagreement, one tends to begin speaking more slowly. On the other hand, people will start speaking faster when they lie and feel nervous, in order to hide their fear and worries.
When the tone of speech rises, it shows that one is trying to overwhelm an opponent in opposition to their ideas. This is easily seen among children when they show strong opposition to their parents. As people get older, they speak in a lower tone of voice. This is possible when one holds back the emotion and cares more of others than oneself.
Changes in tone of voice means that one wants to attract attention. Rhythm is one good way to control tone. If speech is rhythmical, one shows confidence in oneself, while people who speak monotonously are easily seen to be less confident and introverted.
Short or long intervals within speech are easily recognized by others in a conversation. People who have longer intervals between words tend to fear opposition, while people who try to conclude as fast as possible tend to think that there cannot be another solution and that one? conclusion is the only answer. People who do not speak clearly in the end of their sentences imply that they do not want to be responsible for their words.
Word choice is the most common means of evaluating other? speech; it is the most influential factor in evaluating people? thoughts and attitudes. ?enerally, people who use lots of slang words tend to seem rough. Therefore, I always try not to speak too casually even to my friends since I respect my friends and do not want to be seen rude,?says Kim Soo-hyun (Journalism, 3). According to Choi, some people use rough words intentionally to show that they are more superior than others.
People?ho always protect their ideas by quoting or alluding authorized books or articles are trying to show their weaknesses. Women who refer often to their mother in speech try to show their emotions more than women who do not refer to their mother. Also, people who intentionally speak too politely or properly are questioned to feeling jealous, cautious, or inferior to the counterpart. People also tend to speak more roughly when they feel inferior and want to intimidate the opponent. It is the unconscious inferiority complex that is acting upon the person.
The expressions, ? think,?and ?n my opinion?are generally used by very cautious and logical person. They do not easily jump into conclusions. They also tend to respect the counterpart? opinion. However, they might seem frightened to firmly confirm their opinion. Although only a little difference exists in the speech itself, people who limit their opinion by using expressions such as ?his is just my thought,?or ?his cannot be generally accepted?tend to be easily irritated.
People who tend to use the word ?e?often are dependent and seek affection. On the contrary, people who tend to say ??more often have strong self-esteem and self-confidence.
It is beneficial to understand oneself and others through speaking habits and attitudes. Although there are exceptions to any rules, and the examples stated above will not be accurate in all circumstances, it is beneficial to understand one? own and other? speaking habits and the attitudes they exhibit.
Source: Reading One's Mind (2000) by Professor Choi Kwang-sun