Language characteristics in tour guide explanations

Tour guide language is an important carrier of tour guide work. The tour guide’s words are good, that is, he can skillfully use the tour guide’s language, which can not only “express his ideas”, but also make tourists feel “pleasant”, thereby creating a “beautiful feeling”, and is ultimately recognized as a “language art”. Tour guide language art is the refinement and optimization of language by tour guides. It is a re-creation activity that integrates skills, concepts, inspiration and aesthetics. Tour guides communicate with tourists through language to meet tourists' needs for knowledge, solutions, entertainment, aesthetics and other travel needs. Characteristics of language used in tour guide explanations:

1. Accuracy

The so-called accuracy requires that the tour guide’s language must be clear and clear, without any vague or harsh elements. Being "vague" can make people feel unhappy in any social situation. Especially in tourism aesthetic activities, this form of language expression is not only unsightly, but can also lead to difficulties in receiving information and even misunderstandings. "One falsehood destroys a thousand truths." If a tour guide makes up nonsense, fabricates historical facts, and pretends to be false, once tourists find out that they have been deceived by the tour guide, they will definitely feel extremely disgusted and will doubt the authenticity of all the tour guide's explanations, and even deny everything. Therefore, tour guides are required to be correct when publicizing and explaining, and when answering tourists’ questions. Moreover, the more scientific the tour guide's language is, the more it can attract tourists' attention and satisfy their thirst for knowledge, and the tour guide will be more respected by them.

At the same time, you should also pay attention to the appropriate words and appropriate combinations. Usually "newbie" tour guides are not used to using euphemisms and like to use exaggerated words in an attempt to gain the upper hand. As everyone knows, this kind of exaggeration that ignores tourists' own judgment ability can sometimes be counterproductive in terms of effect. For example, when a tour guide accompanied a group to a local restaurant, he praised the restaurant too highly during the drive and proudly used a series of high-order adjectives to describe it. As a result, the tourists' expectations were too high and they actually felt very satisfied after the meal. It's disappointing. It can be seen that it is absolutely unwise and undesirable to speak out.

2. Musicality

This mainly refers to the cadence of the intonation, the smoothness of the language, the length of the sentences, the speed of the speech. In a word, it refers to the sense of rhythm in the language behavior. . Generally speaking, the ups and downs of intonation are caused by the pitch of the pronunciation of words, but on the other hand, it is also related to the ups and downs of emotions. The happy ones are passionate and the sad ones are deep, which has a direct impact on the tone of voice.

The smoothness of language is reflected in the natural connection of sentences and the coherent and uninterrupted expression. Natural and smooth flow without any obstruction can give people a sense of smooth flow, comfort and joy.

The length of sentences is also one of the factors that form the beauty of language rhythm. In the tour guide's explanation, the sentence structure should not be too complicated, but should be short, crisp, and varied.

The speaking speed should be controlled according to the specific communication situation. In general occasions or when the mood is normal, medium speed is generally used; in solemn occasions or when the mood is relatively calm, slow speed is generally used; and in situations where the mood is ups and downs, the speaking speed is required to be faster. Tour guides should appropriately adjust their speaking speed according to different occasions so that tourists do not feel strenuous and create a sense of comfort.

3. Vividness

When describing natural and cultural landscapes, how can the tour guide guide tourists into the poetic and picturesque scene and make them resonate? What is emphasized here is the explanation. The distinctness and vividness of the language used in the process. If the explanation is vivid and vivid, then tourists will reproduce the shape and spirit of things through psychological functions such as association or imagination, and then perceive and understand the intrinsic aesthetic value of things. Therefore, some people say that "seeing the scenery is not as good as listening to the scenery." The vividness of language requires tour guides to pay attention to rhetoric and learn to appropriately use contrast, exaggeration, and metaphor on the basis of mastering rich landscape knowledge and language vocabulary. Metaphors, foils, comparisons and other techniques make the language artistic, colloquial and visual. It can create vivid language pictures through appropriate rhetorical skills, so as to achieve the effect of mutual understanding and resonance between the subject and the guest.

Case: Introducing the living habits of giant pandas: "Giant pandas are naughty by nature and like to climb trees, roll around, and drink water. They climb trees to avoid enemies and enjoy the sun in the trees. In order to satisfy their habit of drinking Most of its homes are located in places with clear springs and flowing water, so that it can drink freely at any time. When the weather is cold and freezing, the panda will use its forepaws to break the ice to drink water. In the dry season, it will go down to deep valleys to find clean water sources, repeatedly. He drinks until his stomach becomes bloated and makes it difficult to walk, and then he reluctantly staggers away. Sometimes he just lies down by the stream, looking like a drunkard, which is called "Panda Drunk" by the locals.

Analysis: Here. The tour guide cleverly used rhetorical techniques such as personification and metaphor to make the naughty, cute and naive image of the giant panda emerge, thus achieving a vivid effect.

4. Interestingness

The interestingness of the tour guide’s language is mainly reflected in his humorous or witty speaking style. It works through metaphor. Use various techniques such as exaggeration, symbolism, allegory, pun, homophony, and humor, etc., and use wit. Concise and humorous language reveals and criticizes various contradictions and unreasonable phenomena in real life with a smile and candidness.

In guided tours, the witty nature of language also has a unique form of humor, which is easy joking or good-natured amusement. In terms of effect, humorous language can liven up the atmosphere.

The flexible use of humorous language by tour guides has a very obvious effect on activating the team atmosphere and enriching tour guide activities. Especially during long-distance travel, this approach can show the effect of eliminating fatigue and invigorating the spirit, allowing tourists to spend a happy time in relaxed laughter.

5. Emotionality

Tour guides often need to introduce the landscape before and after tourists enter the state of aesthetic observation. This introduction is not abstract or stylized, but The image is vivid and full of emotion. Therefore, the tour guide's language must be emotional, which must be displayed through the tour guide's eyes, gestures, and facial expressions. The emotional nature of language is reflected in the fact that tour guides should move with the scenery, like to play tour guides, be moved by emotions, and impress tourists with emotions. The language of a tour guide should not be simple, abstract or stylized, but should be vivid and emotional. During the tour guide process, if you want to arouse the excitement of tourists, you must "move with emotion and explain with reason" in the explanation, that is to say, it must be sincere and sincere. Honorifics and modest words can help convey friendship and affection, but you should pay attention to respecting the other person's customs and language habits, and also be suitable for your own identity; Eastern and Western idioms, proverbs, and famous quotes can often play a finishing touch. It can also improve the taste of the tour guide's explanation, make the tour guide's conversation appear elegant, and make tourists feel good. However, it must be correct, complete, and appropriate. Arty words will only attract ridicule.

The emotional nature of language not only refers to the emotional signals transmitted by vocal exclamations, but also includes the intuitive emotional expressions of silent language, such as eyes, gestures, facial expressions, etc. This is because people’s emotions and desires can often be seen in their eyes. It is revealed in the intensity of gestures and changes in facial lines.