Kids learn and, boy, they learn fast! The world around is a whirlwind for them and there is a lot to take in. But on our ride up the staircase, we develop a sense of style. Characteristics. Commendable virtues and mannerisms. And (most often), boring words and phrases!
Have you met someone who says ‘Obviously’ too often? What? You haven’t met me! Alright. How about someone who keeps shaking his/her head a hundred times while you haven’t begun speaking? No! That’s not me. But it’s downright irritating. How about someone who says ‘Sounds good’ a hundred times in a phone call?
When it comes to incorporating a new language (read: English) or culture, sometimes a few (of our favorite) phrases just get glued to the tongue and never seem to disengage. And you unconsciously repeat those words again and again. And again! Whether, its ‘Moreover’ or ‘Oh yeah’ or ‘Definitely’ or, one of my (least) favorite ones, ‘Basically’!!
We are so caught up in our rigid body language, mannerisms and nonsense verbiage (overabundant word usage) that we aren’t even aware of our limiting postures, stupid gestures and (yes) annoying word usage. It comes with a lifestyle that maybe too stressful, boasts of limited growth (personally) and gifts even lesser time to think.
More importantly, (most) people around us are too busy (or inept 
) to tell you the truth. An effective body language coupled with sharp wordage works wonders. Not getting stuck in the rut is monumental – both for your (double quotes ) professional (double quotes over 
) and personal life – expressing yourself lively; not being on autopilot mode with some ol’ monotonous tape being played a zillion times!
Think about it! An effective personality is defined, amongst other things, by enthusiasm, emphasis and freshness. Not just (to borrow Intel’s tagline) ‘intelligence inside’, but originality in expressing that intelligence. Hence, lookout! Be on your own watch! See if you get caught up and are reiterating the same phrases and exclamations.
Keep an eye on your body language. If it’s confident? Powerful? Timid? Or scared? And also on your tongue. If its having fun moving around mouthing words.
Use words to entice, excite and impress. Use them to motivate, stimulate and work. Overuse ruins them of their potential. Let your stereo play a new tune everyday. Then, a rare ‘Obviously’ will be emphatic, a rightly placed ‘Oh yeah’ would be funny and a ‘Fuck!’ wouldn’t be just another expletive used two hundred times a day.
Revel in the novelty of wordsmithy and your own capacity is utilizing it!
Comments on: "Stuck on the same ol’ tape recorder!" (2)
Thank you for reminding. Really. Flow in speech is something we all misconstrue. It’s difficult to consciously keep a check on it all the time but then, old habits are only ‘difficult’ to kick aren’t they.
the post made me think. You know a lot of places have their idiosyncracies in language. For example, I’m now in singapore and singlish is so frustrating! Most people just eliminate nouns and adjectives and shorten sentences just to a single verb. Instead of saying ‘yes i can do it’ they just say, ‘can’! And hinglish is the opposite. We use too many words to express ourselves! Im glad someone is as frustrated as I am, but believe me, people hate being corrected- so beware!