03.04.2025
On how language shapes thought, how speech affects social status, career, and personal life, and why raising the level of culture matters.
“Speak so that I may see you”, a quote from Socrates, became the central topic of a lecture by public speaking expert Veronika Khraneko titled “Speech as a Social Passport”, held on April 2, 2025, as part of the new project “RSUH - Territory of Courtesy,” launched by the RSUH Youth Affairs Department.
“This project is for everyone who studies and works at our University. It draws attention to the need for a higher standard of communication, behavior, and mutual respect among all members of the University community. It will be a permanent initiative,” said Youth Affairs Department Director Irakli Bolkvadze.
In her workshop, Ms. Khraneko repeatedly emphasized that speech was not just a means of communication, but a reflection of a person’s character, intellect, and social code. According to her, just a few phrases are enough to determine a person’s background, cultural level, education, and even profession.
“We begin to speak the way those around us do. We want to belong,” she said, noting the social mechanism behind the formation of individual speech patterns.
The desire to “belong” is a natural social pattern, albeit not always a necessary one. It’s important to remember that speech can elevate a person or diminish them. It can impact social status, career, and personal life. Ms. Khraneko paid particular attention to the issue of the prevalence of vulgar and obscene language among youth and the overall decline in speech standards.
