Like, Yr Habits Can Do U Harm, Y'know?

Common speech habits are in fact insidious verbal tics that can create problems, specially for women and girls.

The author of the blog “Say it Like You Mean It!” is bringing an informed discussion of the subject—along with some work on how to correct verbal tics—to the Chappaqua Library on Sept. 18.

From 7-9 p.m. a panel discussion, “Say it Like You Mean it,” will discuss how to present our best selves, explains Audrey Mann Cronin, who is a communications consultant. “ Learn how our celebrity culture and social media channels are influencing the way we communicate and the impact of the “like, ya know” syndrome—particularly for girls and women.”

Cronin quotes a recent article on Business Insider called “Are These Common Speech Habits Bringing You Down?”

Some of them are commonplace: sprinkling “like” throughout sentences or saying “um” and “ah.”

Others are certainly common, but less often described: verbal fry and uptalking.

Cronin says, “When it comes to verbal tics and crutches, we are all in the same pot of habit-forming, lazy-lipped, pop-culture-inspired soup. And, while with our friends and family verbal slang and trends can bond us together, in our leadership roles and professional lives, we all want and need to demonstrate competence, speak with confidence and Say it Like We Mean it!”

The workshop at the Chappaqua Library is “going to be a deep dive into the importance of ridding ourselves of these sociolinguistic trends in both our oral and written communications and a discussion on how to speak articulately and with confidence. Learn tips and explore ways to present our best selves,” Cronin says.

For more information visit http://sayitlikeyoumeanitblog.blogspot.com.

Editor’s Note: Audrey Mann Cronin’s name was incorrect in the original version of this article. Patch regrets the error.