演 (yǎn): This character means “to perform,” “to act,” or “to demonstrate.” It's the same character used in 演员 (yǎnyuán), meaning “actor.” It suggests a public, demonstrative action.
讲 (jiǎng): This character means “to speak,” “to explain,” or “to tell.” It's found in words like 讲话 (jiǎnghuà), “to talk,” and 讲故事 (jiǎng gùshi), “to tell a story.” It refers to the act of verbal communication.
These two characters combine perfectly: 演 (yǎn) + 讲 (jiǎng) = A “performed speech” or a “demonstrative talk.” This captures the essence of a formal presentation where one is not just talking, but actively performing and demonstrating ideas to an audience.
While traditional Chinese culture often valued humility and listening over speaking out, the skill of public speaking (演讲能力, yǎnjiǎng nénglì) has become highly prized in modern China. Economic reforms and globalization have made effective communication a key to success in business, academia, and even social life.
A key cultural difference compared to a Western presentation lies in the structure and tone. A Chinese 演讲 might:
Begin with more extensive formalities: This includes acknowledging all high-ranking guests, organizers, and supporters in a specific order of importance. This shows respect and acknowledges the group context.
Emphasize consensus and established facts: While Western presentations often encourage challenging the status quo or presenting a radical new idea, a Chinese 演讲 may focus more on expertly summarizing existing knowledge, showing deep research, or reinforcing a group's shared goals.
Value a steady, authoritative delivery: A calm, well-reasoned, and confident tone is often more respected than an overly passionate or theatrical style, which might be perceived as less professional or stable.
The rise of popular Chinese TV shows centered on debate and public speaking highlights this cultural shift, making 演讲 a skill that many young people actively seek to cultivate.
演讲 (yǎnjiǎng) is a formal term used in specific contexts. You would not use it to describe a casual chat with a friend.
It's used across various domains:
Business: 商业演讲 (shāngyè yǎnjiǎng) - a business presentation
Academia: 学术演讲 (xuéshù yǎnjiǎng) - an academic lecture
Politics: 政治演讲 (zhèngzhì yǎnjiǎng) - a political speech
Motivational: 励志演讲 (lìzhì yǎnjiǎng) - a motivational speech