The study of how people generate shared meaning through the use of verbal and nonverbal symbols is known as speech communication. Speech Communication majors work to improve their confidence and effectiveness in public speaking, interpersonal communication, and small group communication. It is easier to understand a speaker’s speech if he or she delivers it on the basis of the audience’s level. As a result, the primary benefits of speech are clear.
Advantages of speech
Speech has some specific advantages which do not have in other media of communication which are discussed below:
- Time-saving: When communication is required quickly, speech is the best solution and the most important benefit of speech. Direct communication between the speaker and the listener saves time when communicating information.
- Cost-saving: Speech reduces the cost of communication because it does not require much preparation. Direct speech saves money because it does not necessitate the use of any device or writing instruments such as a pen, paper, computer, telephone, and so on.
- Suitability: It is very suitable for communicating with both illiterate and literate people. However, written communication is only appropriate for literate people.
- Immediate feedback: It can provide immediate feedback rather than other forms of communication. Because the audience can interact directly with the speaker, oral communication provides immediate and direct feedback.
- Developing a friendly relationship: Speech can aid in the development of a friendly relationship between the speaker and the audience. Through direct speech, it is possible to establish a friendly relationship between the parties involved.
- Motivation and control: Speech is a fast way of communicating. Many formalities will be required for written or other forms of communication. It does not, however, necessitate any formality.
- Meaningful medium: If the speaker delivers his or her speech on the basis of the audience level, it becomes easy understanding. So, the main advantages of speech are understandable.
Speech provides various advantages for communication with people for various purposes and it enjoys the above advantages.
Disadvantages of Speech
The following Disadvantages/Limitation of Speech is located:
- No Record: Because most speeches are not written or recorded, they cannot be used as a reference in the future. In this type of communication, no records are usually kept. As a result, unless a speech is taped, it cannot be used as a legal document.
- Legal validity: Speeches do not have legal validity unless and until they are permanently taped or recorded.
- Remoteness: Speeches cannot be delivered if the sender and receiver are physically separated and no mechanical device connects them.
- Confusion and conflict: Because human memory is limited, speech cannot be remembered for an extended period of time. As a result, as time passes, people become confused about what happened in the past. Such things lead to misunderstandings about the delivered speech.
- Complexity: If there is a large audience, understanding the speech may be difficult due to a poor sound system. This may result in speech complexities. Furthermore, the orator’s emotion may make the message too complex for the recovery to understand.
- Less Valuable: Where written communication is essential, speech has nothing to do. Moreover, if the situation requires prompt decision then speech may not be effective there. Usually, speech carries less weight than written communication.
In spite of the above limitations, speech acts as a strong medium of communication.
