Slow Your Speech to Improve Pronunciation

Are you a fast talker?

If you are, you may be losing the most important person in the room: the listener! A good conversational rate of speech ranges between 140-160 words per minute. A rate higher than 160 words per minute is typically difficult for the listener to absorb the material especially if it is complex. Some areas of the country may speak faster but a slower rate is preferable.

Speech rate affects the listeners perception of the speaker and the relative importance of the message. Too slow of rate signals a perception of slow thinking, incompetence, being uneducated. If the content of the message is unimportant and spoken slowly, the listener my become impatient and lose interest in listening.

When is a slower rate appropriate? Well, imagine Martin Luther King speaking I Have a Dream at a fast rate. Had Dr. King spoken more quickly, the listener wouldn't have processed the complex, thought-provoking information in a meaningful way. The slow rate signaled importance and sent a message that the content should be taken seriously. So, abstract and complex messages should be spoken more slowly. Presenters and speakers should use slow rates to drive their points home.

If you have a foreign accent, speaking slowly is crucial since pronunciation and fluency may be a challenge for you. Using a speed that is closer to 140 words per minute is necessary.

Is a fast rate ever appropriate? Well, if the message is humorous, light and frivolous, a faster rate may be ok. When determining the rate of speech you want to use, be sure to analyze the content of your message. No matter what speed you choose, be sure to show emotion through vocal variety and facial expression.