Speech vs Address
Speech and Address are two words that are often confused when it comes to their meanings and connotations. They are wrongly used too at times. This is due to the lack of proper understanding of their usages. The word ‘speech’ is used in the sense of ‘talking’. On the other hand, the word ‘address’ is used in the sense of ‘talk to’. This is the main difference between the two words.
In other words, speech refers to what a persons talks over a phone or in a classroom. On the other hand, an address refers to what a person talks to an audience or a gathering. This is the important connotations of the two words. A person can speak over the phone or in a lecture hall. On the other hand, a minister addresses the gathering or the chief guest addresses the audience.
The prime minister of a particular nation can address the people of the country through the television or the radio. On the other hand, the chief guest of the function delivers a wonderful and thought-provoking speech. It is understood that a speech can be thought provoking, whereas an address can be an inspiring one.
Another important difference between a speech and an address is that address is customary, whereas speech need not be customary but it is regular. For example, it is customary that the prime minister of a particular country addresses the people of that particular nation. On the other hand, it is regular that the principal of a college delivers a speech during every function of the college. Listeners can be either direct or indirect in the case of an address, whereas listeners have to be direct in the case of a speech. These are the differences between speech and address.