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We spend approximately 70 percent of our waking hours in communication—speaking or listening, reading or writing. Thirty-three percent of this time is devoted to talking. This element of our time becomes very important, for talk brings people together in a relationship. The avenue of speech goes beyond just the exchange of words or information. Through talking we can express our feelings, convey our emotions, clarify our thinking, reinforce our ideas, and make contact with others. It is a pleasant way of passing time, getting to know one another, releasing tension, and expressing opinions. The most basic function of speaking, then, is not the giving of information but the establishing of a relationship with others. The quality of this relationship will depend a great deal on the ability of each person to express himself verbally.
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