29. Is Your Diction Affecting Your Professional Image?
A participant in a recent communications seminar told me about her experience in another training session, where the instructor used the phrase “All’s you gotta do.” After she heard that phrase, she stopped listening.
In the above example, the instructor’s use of nonstandard language detracted from his message. It may not be fair, but people often judge others on the quality of their diction. They may make negative assumptions about someone’s intelligence or education based on that person’s word choice.
We may pick up the use of these nonstandard words from their use in marketing or creative fields.
Among the phrases I have heard used in business are the following:
• “Are youse finished with ...
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