This fascinating episode of Speak Up with Laura Camacho features the fabulous Dr. Valerie Fridland, sociolinguist and professor at the University of Nevada, Reno.Her area of research is about the relationship between language and society. She wrote a book to help educate us about her findings entitled: Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English.Dr. Fridland grew up in Memphis, TN. Because her family was not native English speakers, they were treated as very exotic. This helped her notice early in life how people responded to differences in language.This enthralling episode is for anyone for whom English is a second language and/or wants to harness the power of language to improve their communication at work—so they can get their bottom line across. It’s a key resource for anyone struggling with verbal fillers - uhs, ums, and so on.In 45 action-packed minutes you will learn:- The challenges that having an accent can present in the workplace- The role women played in changing the English language into what we are familiar with today- Why women tend to be leaders in language change- How fillers in conversation can be beneficial linguistically and socially- How a compelling message always, always, always trumps delivery issues- Things to focus on if you want to improve your English if it is not your first language- Why using the word ‘like’ can help you come across as sociable and agreeableThis episode is brought to you by The Practical Guide to Effective Communication: Get Recognized for the Value You Already Contribute

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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