Description:

Circumstantial speech refers to a type of speech pattern characterized by excessive and unnecessary details, tangential anecdotes, and a tendency to deviate from the main topic. Individuals who engage in circumstantial speech often provide excessive information that may not be directly relevant or necessary for the listener to comprehend the main point being conveyed.

Characteristics:

• Excessive details: Circumstantial speech involves providing an abundance of unnecessary details, often overwhelming the listener and making it difficult to extract the key message.
• Tangential anecdotes: The speaker tends to digress from the main topic by sharing unrelated personal stories or anecdotes, losing focus on the intended subject matter.
• Deviation from the main topic: Rather than maintaining a concise and coherent flow of information, individuals engaging in circumstantial speech often tend to wander off into unrelated or less significant subjects.
• Lack of relevance: The information shared may not contribute significantly to the overall understanding or relevance of the main topic, causing confusion or disinterest among listeners.

Examples:

Here are a few examples to illustrate circumstantial speech:

Person A: “I wanted to tell you about this amazing restaurant I went to last night. So, it’s called ‘The Taste of Italy,’ and it’s located on Main Street. The building is quite old, actually, from the 1800s I believe. Anyway, the decor inside is very stylish, with vintage furniture and artwork on the walls. I remember seeing a beautiful painting of a countryside landscape. Oh, speaking of landscapes, did I mention that I love going hiking? It’s such a great way to connect with nature. One time, a few years ago, I went on this challenging hike in the mountains, and the view at the top was breathtaking! But back to ‘The Taste of Italy,’ their menu is extensive, and they have a wide variety of dishes. They serve delicious pasta, pizza, and their tiramisu is to die for! Oh, that reminds me of this Italian cooking class I took last year. We learned how to make authentic tiramisu, and it was so much fun! I still have the recipe somewhere… Anyway, I highly recommend ‘The Taste of Italy’ if you’re in the mood for Italian cuisine.”

Person A’s speech is filled with excessive details, tangential anecdotes about hiking and an Italian cooking class, and a deviation from the main topic—the restaurant ‘The Taste of Italy.’

Impact:

Circumstantial speech can have several impacts:

• Loss of focus: The listener may struggle to grasp the main message as they get distracted by irrelevant details.
• Time-consuming: Engaging in circumstantial speech can consume a significant amount of time, potentially causing delays in conversation or presentations.
• Reduced clarity: Excessive information can lead to confusion and a lack of clear communication, hindering effective understanding.
• Impatience in listeners: The listener may become impatient or disinterested due to the prolonged delivery of information tangential to the main topic.