The concept of communication is often reduced to the mere act of uttering words.
However, according to me, communication is a holistic, high-stakes release of the self. To be an "Active Speaker" is not merely to be fluent, but to be fully present and purposeful.
What is Active Speaking?
At its core, Active Speaking is the release of inner motives, suggestions and perceptions. It is the transition of a private thought into a public reality using every tool at a human's disposal. I describe it as "taking out the whole of you."
While many view speaking as a vocal exercise, Active Speaking integrates:
- Physicality: The use of gestures, mime, signs, and pantomime.
- Vocal Moderation: The intentional use of tone and pitch to convey confidence and readiness.
- Multi-channel Delivery: It is not limited to face-to-face interaction; it extends to telephone conversations, written materials, and digital media.
Active Speaking is not about how fast you talk (pace) or how perfectly you structure a sentence (grammar). It is defined by how quickly you hear, listen and respond relevantly.
Common Misconceptions:
To understand Active Speaking, we must identify its "passive" or "defensive" opposites. You are likely not practicing active speaking if:
- You are "Reading" instead of "Connecting": If a speaker is buried in their notes, hiding their face, and focused solely on the text, they have lost the audience.
- Using Fillers as Crutches: Phrases like "What can I say!" often signal a lack of confidence or a lack of mastery over the topic.
- Language Mixing (Code-Switching): While common among adolescents and non-native speakers, mixing languages is often a "self-defense" mechanism to mask a lack of vocabulary. While it serves a purpose, it falls short of the Active Speaking ideal.
- Conflating Eloquence with Activity: You can be eloquent and fluent while being completely "passive" if you aren't listening or responding to the live energy of the listener.
The Qualities of an Active Speaker
Here is an outline of specific traits that transform a communicator into an Active Speaker. These can be grouped into three categories:
1. Preparation and Identity
- Self-Awareness: Knowing exactly who you are in relation to your audience.
- Content Mastery: Understanding not just the words, but the deeper meaning of what is being said.
- Audience Analysis: Knowing exactly who you are addressing and anticipating their reactions.
2. Ethical and Emotional Intelligence
- Non-Oppressive Presence: An active speaker is determined and persuasive, but never an "oppressor" or "offender.
- Attentive Listening: You cannot speak actively if you do not listen decisively.
- Self-Motivation: The drive to communicate must come from within, not from external pressure.
3. The "Good Tremmer" (Authenticity)
Perhaps the most striking quality is being a "Good Tremmer." This refers to the ability to be entirely oneself without imitating another’s character. It is the rejection of "performance" in favor of "authentic presence."
The Active Speaking Framework
| Feature | Passive/Defensive Speaking | Active Speaking |
| Primary Focus | Grammar, pace, and reading | Relevance, response, and motive |
| Physicality | Rigid, hidden, or stationary | Use of gestures, mime, and pantomime |
| Listening | Waiting for a turn to talk | Decisive listening to understand points |
| Identity | Imitating others / "Performing" | Being a "Good Tremmer" (Authentic) |
Active Speaking is an art of intentionality. Whether through the word of mouth, a written letter or a sign, the goal is the same: to deliver a message "live" from the soul of the speaker to the heart of the listener.