Living Words

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Natalia Langammer

As part of my job, I often find myself in a radio studio recording texts. This typically involves an author reading their own book for an audiobook version. And here's what I've noticed: the text might be wonderful, filled with beautiful imagery, varied vocabulary, and a strong rhythm. Yet, when the author reads, my colleague, the sound engineer, and I struggle to connect with it.

This has happened more than once. At one point, we gave the author the same piece of advice: “Please, return to the story you’ve written. Don’t just read off the paper; tell the story. To do that, you need to relive the events of the book in your memory here, in the studio.”

It’s fascinating. At first glance, it seems like just words, with a clear meaning. But when we speak, people only connect with our message—our thoughts, emotions, and experiences—if we express them genuinely from the heart. No matter how much we try to adjust our intonation, add pauses, or manipulate the tone of our voice, it won’t captivate the listener if the words don’t come from a place of authenticity within the speaker.

My colleague provided another example to support this idea. He explained that when a reader in a church reads the Psalms without truly understanding the words or focusing on something else, no one in the congregation will truly understand or grasp the meaning of the words either.

This reminds me of the phrase “empty words.” These are not only about unkept promises, but also about the emptiness in the speaker's soul and thoughts as they say the words.

That’s why overused phrases, like “I was deeply moved” or “My admiration knew no bounds,” don’t resonate with the listener. These are words that many people have said over and over again, and they’ve become so familiar that they no longer carry any weight—almost like they’ve lost their meaning.

However, if we look within ourselves and draw out the unique feelings we’re experiencing, then use the words that truly express those emotions, our listener will be able to empathize with us.

There’s a term called “incongruence,” which refers to the mismatch between verbal and non-verbal signals a person gives. This means that the person might say one thing, but their body language reveals the true emotion they’re feeling. We always sense this mismatch in others, and we call it “artificial.” I believe we truly hear a word when it’s genuine—when it’s filled with life.

At its core, what makes words truly powerful is the authenticity behind them. Only then can they truly resonate with others, creating genuine connection and understanding.

Original article: radiovera.ru/zhivye-slova-natalija-langammer.html

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