Now let’s discuss some problems we might have in making speeches.
與演講相關(guān)的幾個(gè)問(wèn)題
The first is being nervous. One feels nervous mainly due to a lack of self-confidence or the fear for failure or mistakes. In fact, I am still nervous from time to time even after giving so many speeches. I guess most people have experienced nervousness, which is likely to be the pathway to readiness. The question is: how to control it, and how to transform it into a driving force and passion for success. When we feel nervous, we should speak louder and concentrate more. Be careful not to let nervousness disturb our thinking, not to go from nervousness to arrogance, and not to use a stern expression to cover your uneasiness.
一是緊張、膽怯。人緊張最主要的原因恐怕是缺乏自信，擔(dān)心講不好，擔(dān)心講錯(cuò)。我經(jīng)歷了這么多演講仍然有緊張的感覺(jué)?？峙抡l(shuí)都會(huì)有緊張的情況，也許這是進(jìn)入競(jìng)技狀態(tài)的必然過(guò)程。關(guān)鍵是怎么控制緊張的情緒，讓緊張轉(zhuǎn)化為講好的動(dòng)力和激情。緊張的時(shí)候一定要注意調(diào)整，讓聲音更洪亮，態(tài)度更認(rèn)真，而不是讓緊張情緒影響自己的思路，更要防止將緊張情緒轉(zhuǎn)化為傲慢的態(tài)度，為了掩飾自己的緊張反而繃著臉去講話(huà)。
It is important to show respect to the audience, no matter who they are and however different your views are. Their presence is a respect to us, so they deserve our sincerity. Speak nothing but the truth. If we want others to believe in what we say, we have to have faith in the first place.
無(wú)論演講面對(duì)的是什么人，哪怕是立場(chǎng)觀(guān)點(diǎn)完全不同的人，也應(yīng)該懷著敬畏的心，尊重來(lái)聽(tīng)講的人，畢竟人家花了時(shí)間坐在這里，這本身就是對(duì)演講人的尊重。演講要有誠(chéng)心和誠(chéng)懇的態(tài)度，要講真話(huà)。要人信，己先信。
A good tip to dispel nervousness is to handle it as early as possible. Standing before the audience, one shall be lucky to have 70% of his usual aptitude in the face of emergencies. Thorough preparation is very important and the earlier the better. Practice makes perfect. Speech is no exception. In his memoirs The Gathering Storm, Winston Churchill told us that he would fully prepare and practice even for a small question he would put forward in the Parliament. I am used to practicing before I go to the podium. I may not recite the whole text, but I will read every line at least once and try to remember them by heart. And for unfamiliar words, I will simply read more times. It turns out to be effective for me to ease nervousness when the moment comes.
緩解緊張的一個(gè)經(jīng)驗(yàn)是盡量提前處理壓力。在全場(chǎng)聽(tīng)眾面前，處理能力、機(jī)智和反應(yīng)速度能有平常的70%就非常不錯(cuò)了，關(guān)鍵靠事前的準(zhǔn)備。成功的演講一個(gè)非常重要的環(huán)節(jié)就是練習(xí)。丘吉爾在回憶錄中談到，哪怕是在議會(huì)里提一個(gè)問(wèn)題，他都要作充分的準(zhǔn)備和練習(xí)。我喜歡在演講前反復(fù)練習(xí)，雖然不能把整個(gè)講稿背下來(lái)，但每一個(gè)句子都背過(guò)一遍，不熟悉的詞多念幾遍，這也有助于現(xiàn)場(chǎng)克服緊張。
The second problem is dullness, which is, more often than not, due to the presence of too many points, not too few of them. A good speaker should know how to choose materials, or drop them, to make his or her points clear. When drafting a speech, we are inclined to write it gorgeously. But when we speak it out, it might not sound nearly as gorgeous. Don’t make beautiful language too big a deal. Any unnecessary words or ideas should be dropped. As a result, you will get a text that is both concise and clear.
二是內(nèi)容乏味。演講枯燥大多不是因?yàn)闆](méi)有內(nèi)容，而是內(nèi)容太多。要學(xué)會(huì)選擇和取舍，成功的演講不在于講的內(nèi)容多豐富，而在于能否把一兩個(gè)問(wèn)題說(shuō)得透徹、明了。寫(xiě)講稿的時(shí)候往往考慮文字如何漂亮，但講起來(lái)，漂亮的文章不一定有漂亮的效果。寫(xiě)講稿時(shí)，不要太追求語(yǔ)言表達(dá)，可要可不要的就刪去，可有可無(wú)的就舍棄，結(jié)果往往會(huì)更清晰。
The third problem is taking much more time than assigned. It is common among speechmakers to use over seven minutes for a three-minute speech or over 30 minutes for a 20-minute one. Time-abiding is also one dimension when judging a speech. It’s better not to exceed 10% of the requested time limit.
三是超時(shí)的毛病。演講者一個(gè)常見(jiàn)的問(wèn)題是，3分鐘的演講，7分鐘講不完，給20分鐘，講了半小時(shí)還沒(méi)完。其實(shí)遵守時(shí)間規(guī)定特別重要，也是一般情況下聽(tīng)眾判斷演講是否成功的依據(jù)之一，通常最好不要超過(guò)預(yù)定時(shí)間的十分之一。
Avoid speaking too fast or too monotonously. Some pauses and changes of tone will work well. There are lots of things to learn in controlling the speed and tone of speech, which will require some training. Eye contact and gestures are necessary. Eye contact is both a way of communication with the audience and a display of your self-confidence. Gestures, natural and proper, can be used to support your voice. After all, all you need for success are in the details.
另外，語(yǔ)速不宜太快，也不要太平，最好要有一些停頓、起伏，語(yǔ)速和音質(zhì)的控制是一門(mén)學(xué)問(wèn)，需要一定的訓(xùn)練。演講配合一定的眼神和手勢(shì)也是必要的，眼睛保持住與觀(guān)眾的溝通，這是自信的基本表現(xiàn)。手勢(shì)能起到強(qiáng)化聲音的作用，但不能勉強(qiáng)。這些細(xì)節(jié)也是重要的。
The fourth is the difficulty in making people laugh. I once translated a book named Techniques of Speech, which said that if a speech couldn’t make the audience laugh within the first two minutes, the speaker should be cautious and if the atmosphere was still dull up to the fifth minute, the speech could be counted as a failure. In Britain, a speaker’s sense of humour is essential. According to my observation there, a 20-minute speech usually makes the audience laugh three or four times and some even make the audience laugh all through.
四是講笑話(huà)的困難。我翻譯過(guò)一本叫《演講技巧》的書(shū)，里面寫(xiě)道，開(kāi)講兩分鐘之內(nèi)不能逗引觀(guān)眾笑起來(lái)，演講者就應(yīng)該考慮調(diào)整了，如果到了第五分鐘氣氛還很沉悶，演講基本上就失敗了。在英國(guó)演講，幽默感是必不可少的，據(jù)我觀(guān)察，通常二十分鐘左右的演講要讓大家笑三四次，有的甚至讓聽(tīng)眾笑貫始終。
The fifth is about answering questions, which is an important part, sometimes even more important than the speech itself. If we accept the invitation to make a speech but refuse to answer questions, we might leave the impression of being rude or cowardly. Answering questions is a challenge to the speaker’s wisdom, preparedness and ability to rise above the situation, but at the same time a good opportunity to settle down some sensitive issues. If a sharp question is raised for you, don’t get negative, but use this chance to speak out loud your own disagreement and equally, if not more, incisive opinions.
第五個(gè)是關(guān)于回答問(wèn)題?；卮饐?wèn)題是演講過(guò)程中特別重要的環(huán)節(jié)，有時(shí)甚至比演講本身還重要。如果接受邀請(qǐng)去演講但又不愿回答問(wèn)題，會(huì)顯得不禮貌或者膽怯。回答問(wèn)題是對(duì)演講人的智慧、心態(tài)和掌控能力的挑戰(zhàn)，但也是就敏感問(wèn)題做工作的好機(jī)會(huì)。如果對(duì)方的問(wèn)題很尖銳，不要反感，可以借機(jī)把自己的一些與他們有明顯分歧的、同樣尖銳的意見(jiàn)講出來(lái)。
If you have no idea how to answer the question, say you don’t know and, if necessary, promise to provide a written response afterwards. If the questions are provocative, you have to identify and steer clear of the traps and speak your mind in your own way. It calls for a lot of efforts off the podium. Dig deeper into the news about China you read every day in the newspapers. It is very likely that they will come back to you on some later occasions.
如果對(duì)提出來(lái)的問(wèn)題確實(shí)不了解、不知道，可以說(shuō)老實(shí)話(huà)，必要時(shí)事后提供書(shū)面的答復(fù)。但如果問(wèn)題是挑釁性的，就要靠平常的積累繞出來(lái)，講自己想講的話(huà)，不掉進(jìn)對(duì)方設(shè)置的陷阱?；卮饐?wèn)題的基本功在于平常積累，每天在報(bào)紙上看到與中國(guó)有關(guān)的新聞都盡量搞清楚，這些問(wèn)題很可能會(huì)在日后的場(chǎng)合出現(xiàn)。
Generally speaking, whether a speech has engaged the audience, has solved one or two of their questions, or has passed on new messages are critical standards measuring its failure or success. I believe that with more and more successful speeches, we are contributing more and more in building a better international image for our country.
總而言之，檢驗(yàn)演講是否成功的標(biāo)志在于，是否抓住了聽(tīng)眾的注意力，是否解答了他們思想上的一兩個(gè)問(wèn)題，是否傳遞了新的信息。這樣日積月累，就能對(duì)國(guó)家的形象建設(shè)作出一份貢獻(xiàn)。
In conclusion, I would like to stress that there are no secret shortcuts to giving successful speeches but diligence, full preparation, practice and confidence.
最后，我想強(qiáng)調(diào)，演講成功的秘訣就是勤奮，充分地準(zhǔn)備，大量地練習(xí)，大膽地去講。
Thank you.
謝謝大家。
