“Write The Way You Speak”: Is This Really Sound Writing Advice?

English isn’t my mother tongue.

But it was the first language I spoke.

It was the first language I was taught in school.

I do write the way I speak because my first language is English and I don't like writing jargon. I like authentic writing.

So why am I asking this question?

A few days ago, I was having a Zoom call with a client where she introduced a new team member. I was explaining to him how I typically draft out the article first for the client’s approval — but how he could also use this as a guide for him to start on his part of the project.

And I sarcastically said, “I mean, even for a draft, my English is pretty okay.”

“You sound okay,” he said (my video was off).

“I’m kidding. Of course, my English is fine.”

I didn’t feel offended or anything by it. I thought it was sweet of him to validate me like that, but it did get me thinking.

My thoughts about how I write

How is it that I write so fast? How is it that my first draft is “good enough” for someone to use it as guidance, even before I edit it?

Is it because I write as I speak? Because I do speak English fine.

Although there have been numerous times when — as a person who has been brought up in Southeast Asia — my spoken English is totally rubbish with the Singlish and Manglish slang that I throw in.

And if I wrote like THAT, then, well, only a very small population of this world will understand me.

I mean, imagine me writing, “Please lah, how to write like this? Sure nobody understand one!”

That’s Singlish.

Did you get it? 🤣

So should you write like you speak?

Still, “write like you speak” is actually advice I give to my clients — especially my social media caption clients — to start writing.

If you:

• Fear writing at all
• Aren’t even sure what to write or where to start
• Keep questioning your command of English

JUST WRITE LIKE YOU SPEAK.

Then get someone to help you edit it. Or use Grammarly (I’m not an affiliate).

What do you think of this advice?

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Originally published on Medium.