In any ‘face-to-face’ communication, as much can be understood about the meaning of a message by the manner in which it is presented as the words themselves. It is the variations that the human voice can bring to the words that can considerably affect a message’s meaning. Using a musical analogy, the selected words are the ‘lyric’ of the message. The manner in which it is presented provides the ‘melody’, composed of the timing, pitch, volume and emphasis of the voice. I’ve selected ‘Emphasis’ as our subject for study, for November.
Emphasising words or sentences tells the Receiver that they are important parts of the message. It is often achieved by slowing the pace and raising the pitch of the voice while, at the same time, communicating nonverbally, with positive eye contact and leaning forward towards the Receiver. Another way is to repeat the emphasised word or sentence and even asking the Receiver to confirm that the point has been understood.
Changing the emphasis on different words in a sentence can radically alter its meaning. Here is an example. Consider the sentence:
‘There is nothing more I can do’.
This sentence can have different meanings according to the emphases employed.
‘There is nothing more I can do.’ Here, the emphasis could imply that a person has come to the end of the options available for resolving a problem. Although, an admission that the problem remains unresolved, it implies that everything possible has been considered.
‘There is nothing more I can do’ A strong dismissive emphasis on the words, ‘more’ and ‘I’, suggests that the problem-solving options have not necessarily been exhausted, but that the Receiver has lost interest altogether.
‘There is nothing more I can do?’ Still maintaining the emphasis on the word ‘more’ but making the sentence into a question, has quite the reverse effect. Now the Sender is extending his offer to help and is inquiring how that can be achieved.
‘There is nothing more I can do.’ Here the emphasis on ‘I’ might suggest that the Sender could possibly refer the Receiver to someone better qualified to help.
‘There is nothing more I can do.’ Maintaining the emphasis on the word ‘I’ but adopting a dismissive tone implies the wish to ‘lose’ the problem; a ‘can’t be bothered’ attitude.
‘There is nothing more I can do.’ This emphasis suggests that the Sender has exhausted his own opportunities for practical help but is still involved. Perhaps he can offer further verbal advice, which might prove valuable.
Simply by changing the emphasis to different words in this seven word sentence, we have produced six alternative meanings. Make sure that you create the right emphases in your messages.
Stress doesn’t always have to be a bad thing
The use of Emphasis, in verbal messages, contributed to the DNA of the Training Package