OK, in fact we CAN speak English. However, we have to remember that not everyone has the same level of fluency that we do.

English is the lingua franca in the world today. Over 2.4 billion people speak English. However, only 400 million people speak English mother tongue.

When native English speakers are speaking in English to audiences whose grasp of English is not at the same level, the audience frequently has trouble understanding them. Why? There are a variety of reasons. Fortunately, there are things that native English speakers can do to ensure that they are understood.

In this short speech at the 2024 European Speechwriters Network Conference in Cambridge UK, I discuss why native English speakers are so often misunderstood. I also offer several ideas on how we can make it easier for non-native speakers to understand us.

If you would like to know more about the European Speechwriter Network, please visit: https://europeanspeechwriters.org

If you would like more tips and insights on how to improve your public speaking, please visit: https://mannerofspeaking.org

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 A Story from Boston
02:43 Question for the Audience
03:40 Some Interesting Statistics about English
04:50 English and Other Languages
08:08 Tip No. 1 - Clarity over Eloquence
09:15 Tip No. 2 - Active Voice over Passive Voice
10:28 Tip No. 3 - Affirmative over Negative
11:00 Tip No. 4 - Simple Words
12:24 Tip No. 5 - Eliminate Unnecessary Words
13:32 Tip No. 6 - Contractions in English
14:50 Tip No. 7 - Phrasal Verbs in English
16:50 Tip No. 8 - English Idioms
17:29 Tip No. 9 - Colloquialisms and Cultural References
18:34 Tip No. 10 - Working with Interpreters
20:18 Tip No. 11 - Respect the Audience
20:44 A Story from Iran