tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8266009681076554415.post2415729520911996663..comments2023-09-05T20:54:42.242-04:00Comments on A Latter-day Voice: How I prepare to speakPaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11294214866282354575noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8266009681076554415.post-37253471393404360922012-03-16T09:56:32.166-04:002012-03-16T09:56:32.166-04:00Robin: "When I hear that, I always think (an...Robin: "When I hear that, I always think (and sometimes say) 'You think the Spirit only works in the chapel???'"<br /><br />Best comment of the week!<br /><br />I have given a number of talks in bi-lingual settings (starting on my mission in Germany), so I'm sensitive to translation (though, to my knowledge, no one has ever interpreted in ASL for me), and it's another reason I do what I do. <br /><br />When I speak in our Spanish branch, I prepare my talk in English, translate it to Spanish (usually using an online translator which I then check, and then I have a native speaker check). I speak in Spanish and give the English copy to the translators (missionaries).<br /><br />My experience as a translator and as a recipient of translation is that "on the fly" foreign language translation by a lay person results in about a 50% "capture" rate of the message. As speakers, we ought to do all we can to help that number improve.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11294214866282354575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8266009681076554415.post-4440116721045723192012-03-15T21:05:37.998-04:002012-03-15T21:05:37.998-04:00Would you move to our ward?
As interpreters, we a...Would you move to our ward?<br /><br />As interpreters, we ask that our speakers provide drafts of their talks ahead of time, so that we can prepare. For instance, if all their personal experiences revolve around carburetors, it gives us the opportunity to learn the necessary vocabulary.<br /><br />We practically never get said copies. I'm afraid that most talks are prepared at the end of the game. We frequently hear that old chestnut, "I don't write out my talks, I want to be guided by the spirit."<br /><br />When I hear that, I always think (and sometimes say) "You think the Spirit only works in the chapel???"<br /><br />sigh...Robin Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13762942736068477765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8266009681076554415.post-63169077574333555572012-03-15T17:41:24.528-04:002012-03-15T17:41:24.528-04:00I am in awe over the fact that I prepare my talks ...I am in awe over the fact that I prepare my talks nearly identical to how you do it. The only difference is, I jot down stories, quotes, scriptures through the week and then I cut them all up and put the talk together like a puzzle. You probably do the same thing on the computer with cut, copy and paste. <br /><br />btw, Thank you for sticking up for me on MMM's blog post on reverence. <br /><br />Now I'm off to see your other post on talk preparing. Thanks for the link.Grandma Honeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09587160523698527979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8266009681076554415.post-82054279711568927732012-03-15T15:57:11.282-04:002012-03-15T15:57:11.282-04:00I enjoyed what Elder Matthew Richardson said in Oc...I enjoyed what Elder Matthew Richardson said in Oct General Conference about people who don't prepare for talks (or write their talks down) because they want to be "led by the spirit" when they deliver their talks... yet... in General Conference, the most important meeting of the whole Church, the prophets and apostles and other leaders usually write their talks word for word.<br /><br />I, too, prepare early and write my talk word for word, but I will also sit with a pen when I am on the stand and re-read my talk and scratch through parts, change words, etc.<br /><br />Great post. Thanks for sharing.Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01667724269493668949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8266009681076554415.post-20209030888414795902012-03-15T11:15:17.424-04:002012-03-15T11:15:17.424-04:00Paul: This is really good - especially the big fi...Paul: This is really good - especially the big finish. I always feel it to be a bit disingenuous when someone doesn't prepare, then says they want to be guided by the Spirit as they are speaking.<br /><br />Also, I completely get this: " I purposely shielded my lovely wife mostly to save us both from her pre-talk nervousness." AMENMiddle-aged Mormon Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06250594175961381412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8266009681076554415.post-42567651739903518972012-03-15T10:49:01.477-04:002012-03-15T10:49:01.477-04:00Rozy, I've only seen one member actually *read...Rozy, I've only seen one member actually *read* the assigned talk... <br /><br />As a missionary church, I suppose we have to expect especially that newer members will create some unique experiences in sacrament meeting talks. I've learned a lot listening to the general authorities speak in conference -- not just about their subject matter, but also about what works and doesn't work for me as a listener. I think most of the 70 do a superb job with limited time, a well-scoped message, and clear delivery.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11294214866282354575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8266009681076554415.post-42187118688877258952012-03-15T09:51:18.350-04:002012-03-15T09:51:18.350-04:00Wow, except for memorizing talks, I think we were ...Wow, except for memorizing talks, I think we were cut from the same bolt of cloth! Out here in the (true) mission field, when our Branch President assigns a talk and suggests a Conference talk for reference, most people READ the conference talk to the congregation. It drives me crazy. Or there are the ones who get up with no notes of any kind and just ramble for 40 minutes! Thank you for sharing your methods. I'll use them for my next class on how to prepare and give a talk. Keep up the good work.Rozy Lasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06019413665136390175noreply@blogger.com