645. The World of Words

"You have been preparing your speech for such a long time. Normally, you won't spend so much time for preparing a speech!" Lakshmi asked her husband Rangarajan. 

Rangarajan who had torn off five or six sheets of paper after having written and rewritten his speech several times, lamented, "I am not getting it!" 

"You have delivered umpteen number of speeches in various forums, sometimes, even without preparing the speech in advance. Why are you struggling today?"

"If I were to speak on topics I have already studied about, it would be enough if I just refreshed my knowledge. But when I have to speak on a new topic, I need to make a lot of preparation. 

"Okay. What do I know about preparing a speech! But, I see that you have been struggling a lot. Are you not getting ideas?"

"I am not getting the words!"

"You are not getting the words! You have a reputation for using the right words. In fact, someone even gave you the title 'Expressions Expert.'

"I have the title, alright. But I need to use the right expression. If I don't use the right words, my speech may not be understood correctly."

"You are talking as if you are going to make a statement in the court, where one has to be careful in using the right words, lest one's statement should be misconstrued or misinterpreted. What is the topic of your speech that requires such meticulous choice of words on your part?"

"I am offering felicitation to a person" said Rangarajan.

"Felicitation speech! Then, you are expected to be liberal in your appreciation. You should use more of superlative words, I suppose!" said Lakshmi, smiling.

"Well. It looks as if you can train budding speakers! That is the general impression about a speech of appreciation. But, such a speech will sound hollow. A sincere speech of admiration should be filled with the right words and devoid of exaggeration and false praise. Both the person whom we felicitate and the people who hear the speech should feel that the praise is sincere and appropriate. If my felicitation appears to be covering only limited ground, it will give an impression that I am offering the felicitation not out of conviction, but out of compulsion or courtesy. If, on the other hand, I use extravagant words, my speech will be perceived as contrived and pretentious. That is the reason for my searching for the right words to be used in my speech of appreciation" explained Rangarajan. 

"Oh! There is so much to consider in presenting a speech of felicitation! Are other types of speeches also governed by such norms?" asked Lakshmi, expressing her surprise.

"These considerations are important for all kinds of speeches. They apply even to my conversation with you. If I don't use the right words while answering you, you may think that I am answering you mechanically or that I am answering you in a superficial manner thinking that you won't understand if I give you profound answers to your questions" said Rangarajan, laughing.

"I have never felt that way. This may be because you are a person who always uses the right words!" said Lakshmi with admiration and pride. 

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 65
The Power of Speech

Verse 645 (in Tamil):
solluga sollaip piridhOr sol achchollai
vellum sol inmai aRindhu.

Meaning:

When you speak, select and use a word such that no other word

can better that word.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'enna enna vArththaigaLO' by the same author.) 

Verse 646 (Son)
Verse 644