a speech on punctuality in english

Speech on Punctuality in English for Students and Children

Table of Contents

Speech on punctuality: In a world where time is often of the essence, the importance of punctuality cannot be overstated. It’s not just about being on time; it’s about a disciplined approach to life that can shape our success, both in school and beyond. In this blog, we explore the significance of punctuality, share thought-provoking quotes, and provide you with sample speeches to help you understand why punctuality is a virtue worth embracing. Let’s explore punctuality and how it helps us succeed and stay disciplined in life .

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What is Punctuality?

Punctuality is a virtue that holds the key to success in various aspects of life. It is the habit of being on time and honoring commitments, and its importance cannot be overstated. In personal life, punctuality demonstrates respect for others’ time, builds trust, and fosters better relationships. In the academic and professional spheres, it is a hallmark of reliability and discipline, leading to increased productivity and opportunities for growth. Punctuality teaches us to value every moment, make the most of our time, and instills a sense of responsibility that paves the way for success in our endeavors.

Long and Short Speech on Punctuality

Whether you are looking for a short speech on punctuality or a speech on the importance of punctuality in students life, we have got you covered. Here we have provided sample speeches on punctuality that include speech on punctuality in students life, speech on punctuality for school assembly, short speech on punctuality for students, 2 minute speech on punctuality, 1 minute speech on punctuality, 3 minute speech on punctuality.

Short Speech on Punctuality: 1 Minute Speech on Punctuality in Students’ Lives

Hello, everyone,

Today, I want to talk about an essential quality that can greatly impact students’ lives—punctuality. Being punctual means arriving on time, and it’s a trait that every student should cultivate.

Punctuality is crucial because it helps students manage their time effectively. When students are punctual for classes, they can fully engage in learning and make the most of their education.

Moreover, punctuality teaches students discipline and punctuality also responsibility that are valuable throughout life. It sets a strong foundation for success in school and future endeavors.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “Punctuality steals time.” This means that being on time doesn’t just help us; it also shows respect for our teachers and peers’ time and effort.

So, let’s make punctuality a part of our daily routine and reap the rewards it brings to our academic and personal growth.

2 Minute Speech on Punctuality: Speech on Importance of Punctuality

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, I stand before you to talk about a simple yet profoundly important virtue—punctuality. Punctuality is the art of being on time, of showing up when you’re supposed to, and it’s a quality that can make a world of difference in our lives.

Imagine a world where no one is punctual. Chaos would reign, and nothing would ever get done efficiently. Punctuality is the backbone of discipline and organization. It helps us manage our time effectively, complete tasks promptly, and fulfill our commitments.

In the context of students, punctuality is a vital skill to develop. It sets the foundation for success in school and later in life. Being punctual for classes, exams, and assignments not only demonstrates responsibility but also allows students to make the most of their learning opportunities.

The great Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam once said, “Punctuality is one of the cardinal business virtues: always insist on it in your subordinates.” This wisdom reminds us that punctuality is not just about being on time for ourselves but also about respecting the time and commitments of others.

In conclusion, let us remember that punctuality is a virtue that not only brings order and discipline into our lives but also earns us the respect and trust of those around us. So, let’s strive to be punctual in all our endeavors, for it is a stepping stone to a more successful and fulfilling life. Self-discipline and punctuality work together, forming a strong foundation for reliability and success.

3 Minute Speech on Punctuality

Title: The Virtue of Punctuality

Dear audience,

It’s a virtue that holds immense importance in every aspect of life, including our academic journey.

What exactly is punctuality? Punctuality is simply being on time, honoring commitments, and respecting the value of time. It’s about being where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there.

In the context of students, punctuality plays a pivotal role. It’s not just about reaching school or class on time; it’s about recognizing that time is a valuable resource. Being punctual for school sets the tone for the day, ensuring that students are attentive in class and ready to absorb knowledge.

Punctuality is the cornerstone of discipline. It teaches us to manage our time efficiently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines. These skills are not only crucial in school but also in our future careers.

Let’s reflect on this thought: “Punctuality is not just limited to arriving on time; it’s about honoring your commitments and respecting the time of others.” When we are punctual, we demonstrate respect for the efforts and schedules of our teachers, classmates, and colleagues.

In conclusion, punctuality is a virtue that can transform students’ lives. It fosters discipline, responsibility, and effective time management.

Also Read: Speech on Value of Discipline

Punctuality Quotes by Abdul Kalam

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the renowned scientist and former President of India, shared wisdom and insights on various aspects of life, including punctuality. Although he didn’t have specific quotes solely focused on punctuality, his words of wisdom often emphasized the value of time and discipline. Here are a couple of quotes that indirectly highlight the importance of punctuality:

• “Don’t read success stories, you will only get a message. Read failure stories, you will get some ideas to get success.”

This quote encourages us to learn from failures and make the most of our time, emphasizing the importance of using time wisely.

• “Dream, dream, dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action.”

Dr. Kalam’s emphasis on turning dreams into actions underscores the significance of punctuality in achieving one’s goals. Being punctual is a crucial part of translating thoughts into actions.

While these quotes may not explicitly mention punctuality, they reflect Dr. Abdul Kalam’s belief in the importance of discipline, time management, and the effective utilization of time—all of which are closely related to punctuality.

Some More Informative Speech Topics

Popular quotes on punctuality.

Here are some popular quotes on punctuality:

• “Punctuality is the soul of business.” — Thomas Chandler Haliburton
• “Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.” — William Shakespeare
• “The trouble with being punctual is that nobody’s there to appreciate it.” — Franklin P. Jones
• “Punctuality is not just limited to arriving at a place at right time, it is also about taking actions at right time.” — Amit Kalantri
• “I could never think well of a man’s intellectual or moral character if he was habitually unfaithful to his appointments.” — Nathaniel Emmons
• “Punctuality is the politeness of kings.” — Louis XVIII of France
• “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.” — Steve Jobs
• “Punctuality is the thief of time.” — Oscar Wilde
• “Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.” — Theophrastus

Punctuality is the cornerstone of success, shaping business, relationships, and self-discipline.

Speech on Punctuality FAQ’s

How do you write a punctuality speech.

To write a speech on punctuality, focus on the significance of being on time, the impact of punctuality in various aspects of life, and practical tips to cultivate punctuality.

What is the importance of punctuality?

Punctuality is vital as it demonstrates respect for others' time, enhances reliability, boosts productivity, and instills a sense of discipline and responsibility.

What are a few lines on punctuality?

Punctuality, being on time, shows reliability and respect. It's key to discipline, leading to success and building trust in everything you do.

Write 1 Minute Speech on Punctuality?

Punctuality—a simple yet powerful virtue that shapes our lives in profound ways. Being on time is not just about ticking off a clock; it's about honoring commitments and respecting the time of others. In our fast-paced world, where every second counts, punctuality stands as a hallmark of reliability and efficiency. It lays the foundation for success, fostering trust, and building a strong reputation. Punctuality in professional life ensures smoother workflows, increases productivity, and sets a standard of excellence. In personal interactions, being punctual demonstrates respect, reliability, and a disciplined approach.

Punctuality means being on time or doing things at the scheduled time. It's about showing up when you're supposed to, honoring commitments, and respecting other people's time.

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Speech On Punctuality - 10 Lines, Short and Long Speech

• Speech on Punctuality -

Punctuality is an etiquette which is essential for the smooth sailing of life. A punctual person is always more successful in his life. It can be surprising how being on time can bring many positive changes in one's life. Here are some speech samples on the topic of Punctuality.

• 10 Line Speech on Punctuality

Short Speech on Punctuality

Long speech on punctuality.

Punctuality is an etiquette that refers to completing tasks on time or just being on the exact time whenever asked.

A punctual person is also considered trustworthy and is respected in society.

Punctuality and time management go hand in hand.

A person who knows how to manage his time will always be on time for any event.

Time management and punctuality are skills one can learn with practice.

It just needs dedication and discipline to acquire these traits that will be helpful throughout one’s life.

Respecting the value of time is an essential part of being punctual. It would be best if you always used your time effectively.

Punctuality enables us to acknowledge the importance of time.

A student should always be punctual in all his actions. It is one of the essential skills of school life.

A more punctual person earns more credibility and respect in his workplace.

Punctuality refers to completing a required task or fulfilling an obligation at the designated time. A person should be punctual since childhood and know the value of time. Punctuality is the basic rhythm of nature. Birds wake up early; the sun rises every day, and the earth revolves around the sun. Everything in nature is fixed and on time. Therefore, humans should also learn this trait to live in harmony with nature.

How Being Punctual Helps Us

Punctuality brings us closer to our dreams. One can’t learn it by force or in a single day. One has to instil this habit of punctuality in daily activities gradually.

Punctual people are appreciated and respected in society. One will never face the repercussions of being late if he manages his time efficiently and learns to be punctual. It is regarded as one of the most admirable characteristics one can possess.

In Scandinavian countries, the human development Index is higher because of the minute but compelling reason that people know and respect the value of time there. Japan is famous for punctuality, trains there are not late even by a single minute, and its citizens are respected everywhere for punctuality. Hence, punctuality plays a considerable role in the development of a nation too.

“A stitch in time saves nine.”

This famous proverb depicts the value of being punctual. Instead of procrastinating, one must be punctual and sort out their problems immediately, which might save one from future troubles.

What is Punctuality

Punctuality means being on time and doing your assignments and chores before the deadline. Punctuality benefits an individual to grow exponentially in his life. It is an admirable trait and builds one character in society. A punctual person creates a positive and trustworthy impression on everyone. If one is not punctual, his life becomes filled with difficult situations and an unorganised mess. He has to face the repercussions of being late and might listen to harsh words just because of his unpunctual habits.

Why is Punctuality Necessary

It is evident that punctuality plays a crucial role in attaining success in life. One who understands and respects the value of time can quickly become a punctual individual, and gradually he becomes successful. Time is an asset, but it can never come back once lost. Hence a punctual person never wastes a single minute of his time.

Proper planning and dedication are required to succeed, but if you are not punctual in your actions, you won’t succeed.

Punctuality and Students

Punctuality is one of the most sought traits in a student. It is the stepping stone towards being sincere, excelling in academics, and doing good in life. Punctuality makes the foundation of the good habits cumulated in a student. It is one of the finest virtues a student should possess. The teachers and parents should ensure that the student learns the valuable lesson of punctuality in school, as this lesson is required throughout his life. A punctual student has more chances to achieve success in his life.

My Experience With Punctuality

I was a sluggish and tardy person in my school days. I never scored good grades, and all my assignments were always due. I was rebuked several times for my behaviour, but the lesson from my grandfather changed me completely. The lesson was on punctuality. He told me that my life is my own and I have complete control over such a beautiful thing. I should enhance it by being punctual and disciplined. Since then, I have started instilling good habits in my daily life. I woke up early and went to school at the right time.

My grades started improving gradually, and I became the topper in class 10th. I also started feeling more motivated and energetic after staying punctual for all my tasks. I will recommend everyone to always remain punctual in their life.

In Conclusion, punctuality leads to a happy mind. It makes our life organised and worry-free. Though it seems challenging to stay punctual, it will make your life easier once you get used to it.

A punctual person is clear about his thoughts and future goals. He will feel energetic to do more tasks. Punctuality plays a significant role in being motivated. It gives a sense of achievement, pushing one to do more tasks and stay disciplined.

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Speech on Punctuality For Students

Punctuality is like a magic key that can unlock countless opportunities for you, especially as a student! It’s more than just being on time; it’s a sign of respect for others and displays a sense of responsibility.

Do you remember the phrase ‘Time and tide wait for none’? It’s a lesson on the importance of time. For a student, punctuality can shape your future, making it brighter and more successful.

1-minute Speech on Punctuality For Students

Good day, everyone. Today, we discuss a simple yet vital topic – punctuality for students.

Punctuality is all about respect for time. Just like we respect our teachers, parents, and friends, we must also respect time. When we arrive on time for school, classes, or even a friend’s birthday party, it shows that we value other people’s time as much as our own.

Being punctual helps us in many ways. First, it teaches us discipline. To be on time, we must plan and prepare. We set our alarms, pack our bags, and do our homework. This routine shapes us into disciplined individuals.

Second, punctuality makes us reliable. When we consistently show up on time, people trust us more. They know they can count on us. This trust boosts our confidence and helps us build strong relationships.

Additionally, punctuality enhances our learning. When we reach school on time, we don’t miss out on any lessons. We get time to revise and ask questions. This habit helps us to understand better and score well in exams.

Finally, being punctual sets us up for success. Successful people from all walks of life have one thing in common – they value time. They are always on time. This habit helps them achieve their goals and dreams.

So, friends, let’s make a promise today. A promise to be punctual. A promise to respect time. Remember, time waits for no one. If we respect time, time will respect us. Let’s start our journey towards success with this first step – punctuality. Thank you.

2-minute Speech on Punctuality For Students

Good day to all! I’m here to talk to you about a simple yet powerful trait, punctuality. It’s something we all know about, but do we understand its true value? Punctuality is being on time, not late, not early, but right on the dot. And it’s important, especially for us students. Let’s see why.

Punctuality is like a magic key that opens the door to success. Being on time to school, to our classes, to our practice sessions, helps us develop a sense of responsibility. It tells our teachers and our friends that we value our commitments. We are dependable, we can be trusted, and that’s a big deal!

Imagine this: you’re part of a group project, and you’re late for the meeting. Your group waits for you, losing precious time. With that, you’ve not just wasted your time but theirs as well. That’s not fair, right? This is why punctuality matters. It shows respect for others’ time and efforts.

Now, how about learning? Here’s a fact: when you’re punctual, you learn more. Walking in late to class means missing out on some parts of the lesson. It’s like watching a movie from the middle. You can guess what happened before, but it’s not the same. Being on time means you get the full picture, the complete lesson, and that’s a winning habit.

Punctuality also helps us manage our time better. Time is like a river; once it flows past, you cannot get it back. But if you master punctuality, you master time. You learn to plan your day, your study hours, your playtime, and you get to do everything you want to without rushing or missing out on anything.

So, punctuality sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? But how do we develop it? It’s simple. Start by setting up a routine. Sleep early, wake up early. Plan your day. Set alarms if you need to. And most importantly, stick to your schedule. It might be tough at first, but with time, it will become a habit. And trust me, it’s a habit worth having.

In conclusion, punctuality is more than just being on time. It’s a trait that helps us build respect, learn better, manage time, and ultimately, succeed in life. It starts with us students, in our classrooms, in our schools. Let’s pledge today to be punctual, to be on time, not just for ourselves, but for everyone around us. Thank you.

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2 Minute Speech On Punctuality In English

Good morning to everyone in this room. I would like to thank the principal, the teachers, and my dear friends for allowing me to speak to you today about punctuality. Punctuality is the practice of a person completing their responsibilities on time. We might argue that being on time is a wonderful habit that invariably leads to success.

All of the leaders are on time since it is their habit. To put it another way, being punctual will help you keep your life organized and disciplined. Your aims will be accomplished more quickly and within the allotted time frame as a result.

Also, it turns you into a person of habit. In the eyes of others, this makes a great impression. Being on time is a manners code that motivates us to do our tasks quickly. It also allows us to appreciate the worth of our time. Being punctual includes respecting both one’s own time and other people’s time.

Being punctual is important, neglected, and demands great priority. If someone learns to arrive on time, everything else falls into place. You develop self-control and acquire other people’s respect.

A punctual individual, therefore, completes their task on time and without interruption. Armed forces and naval personnel undergo intensive training to develop discipline and punctuality.

They just worry about being on time, regardless of the weather, including rain and thunder. Also, being on time encourages achievement to come more quickly than it would otherwise. Kids need to develop this quality from an early age if they are to have healthier lives overall. Thank you.

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Speech on punctuality 2 Models

Last updated Friday , 15-03-2024 on 11:09 am

Speech on punctuality, in this article we will give students 500 words about the importance of time. The young child must learn to organize his time between playing and studying. So he doesn’t spend all the time just playing.

Below you will find short and long sentences about time. A short paragraph for the eighth grade about time. We must know that punctuality is a form of respect for time and respect for others.

Speech on punctuality

In order for societies to progress, certain things must be committed. In the speech on punctuality, we will learn about these things that everyone must learn.

Punctuality is an essential feature in the progress of any individual and in the progress of society as a whole. That is why young and old must learn how to keep appointments so that it becomes a good habit for them. Over time, their businesses will succeed and their communities will thrive.

What is meant by punctuality?

Punctuality is civilized and good behavior is said when someone arrives on time without delay. It may be said when a person delivers the work required of him on time without delay. Where this behavior characterizes some individuals and some societies.

How do we learn punctuality?

In the speech on punctuality , In order to learn punctuality, we must get used to it at a young age. Where the child is taught to come to school on time without delay. He learns to finish his homework on time.

He learns at home that sleep has a fixed time. And that food is served on the table at a specific time, and he must sit down to eat at that time. He must know that playing has specific times and that he cannot play at bedtime or study time.

What is the importance of punctuality?

Punctuality is one of the most important things in life that makes a person organized and successful in his life. Where he does more important things than those who don’t organize their time. When he commits to doing something, he does it, this gives him a good opportunity to do something else, and this is what makes him more advanced than others.

How does punctuality affect the individual and society?

For the individual who adheres to the deadlines, he gains fame among those around him, as they like to work with him on an ongoing basis. Which makes him the ideal and first person they think of when they want to set up a new business.

As for society, it progresses and rises, because of its punctuality. This makes him value time and accomplish more tasks in less time. This makes it superior to other societies that take years to catch up.

Our trip has come to the end of a speech on punctuality, and we learned about the importance of time and punctuality in our lives. Commitment to time and appointments is a good quality, whether for individuals or groups.

This is what makes the individual come forward and everyone asks him to teach them.

As for the society, we know the advanced society through punctuality, whether in attendance to work or in delivering agreed works.

At the end of Speech on punctuality, I hope you have benefited, and I am pleased to receive your comments, in order to present more topics of interest to you.You can ask us to write important topics for you, and we will fulfill your wishes

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• Punctuality Essay

Essay on Punctuality

Since time is a very important factor in life, it is important to understand its significance. No one is born with this ability, but depending on the needs and circumstances, some people develop it later in life. This is a very important quality that can be learned over time. The word "success" means to achieve the goals of life that you set for yourself. Only then, if all the work is done systematically, consistently, and generally, will you be able to deliver the best product. People who are successful in life are known for being punctual.

This is the most important secret to success: punctuality is a very important factor in leading a country and other tasks. Punching time means finishing work as soon as you are ready on time, as well as scheduling all work related activities. This is respect, which is the time for a person to do his job and realize the importance of time. A person gives himself time to respect and plan for the moment or moment.

One of the most important characteristics of a successful person is punctuality and punctuality. A person who has this qualification completes his work in a timely manner or at a fixed time. It helps people to find a better future. If we look at the past, we can learn about the realities of their accomplishments. Allows a person to complete all day tasks on time and according to schedule. People who are under pressure from time to time do not spend even a moment of their time.

Punctuality is a virtue. It enables one to move faster and more efficiently. A happy, healthy, and healthy person is always disciplined and quick. A boy with such traits is not at ease unless his job is completed on time. He gets up early and completes all his daily activities, as well as taking an interest in those things that are important to him in order to progress in life. In his life, a timely and straightforward person does not fail and is always respected.

Important for Students

It is important for students to be punctual in order to achieve their health goals. It is one of the most important factors that helps children to develop more and more culturally. Students should develop this feature as a habit of doing things on time. Being punctual is one of the student's best interests as he provides discipline. Students can use it to appear at the right time at all times. Being punctual is one of the student's best interests as he provides discipline. Students can use it to appear at the right time at all times.

Being punctual is the foundation of a person's personality and should be taken seriously in order to achieve the goals of life. No one believes that punctuality is not necessary. Instead, they would discuss the advantages and disadvantages of their past experiences. Awareness and performance are the first sign of punctuality as it directs our behavior and keeps us on track.

In order to provide time efficiently, a methodical organization of work is required. Delay in doing one job creates a series of reactions, which in turn causes some tasks to be delayed. Unless we break the chain, this process will continue. It instills trust and emphasizes trust. Wherever we go, we are commended and welcomed. By setting a good example, it reduces anxiety and worry. Others build a positive view of us and trust us.

Prominent leaders have gained a reputation as well as a reputation for excellence. Being punctual also emphasizes not just punctuality but also respect for one's work and obligations. Punctuality is a fact or a virtue. Time and time again are inextricably linked. When it comes to making the most of our time, being punctual is the way to go.

A person's life can be a mess at times, and he may gain great respect from his family and community. During the intervention, he is successful because all members of the defense system are strictly trained to fulfill their responsibilities, whether it is raining, sunny, stormy, or any other natural disaster. Being on time is what makes a person so successful. Parents and teachers can help their children to acquire this quality in school. A punctual student receives love, praise, and respect from his family, school, and community as he progresses toward his goal.

How Can You Make  Time in Life?

Make a list of all the important tasks that the person or people need to do and arrange them accordingly.

1. By arriving at least 15-20 minutes before the scheduled time.

2. Learn to prioritize things.

3. Keep a check at all times.

4. Things like your clothes, phone, and other things should be fixed yesterday so that time is not wasted the next day trying to find everything.

FAQs on Punctuality Essay

1. Why is it Important to be Punctual?

Punctuality helps us realize the importance of time. It is an etiquette which encourages us to complete our work in a timely fashion. A punctual person respects their and others time as well. Punctuality leads to fame and excellence. We should do the right things at the right time and be punctual in life.

2. Which Site Provides a Free Essay on the Topic ‘Punctuality’?

Online learning websites like Vedantu provides a free essay on the topic ‘Punctuality’. It offers a wide range of learning materials from which students can benefit. These materials include essays on various topics written by experts. Students can work on their essay writing skills with the help of Vedantu’s essays. 

3. How Effective Time Management Leads to Success?

Punctuality and time management allow us to complete more work in less amount of time which gives us more free time. We can invest this free time to learn new things. It also lowers stress and helps us focus which leads to a more successful life.

4. Why are Students Asked to Write an Essay on Punctuality?

Punctuality helps us cultivate the habit of completing our tasks in due time. It makes us disciplined and adds a sense of responsibility in an individual. Students are asked to write essays on punctuality so that they can realize its importance and start to imbibe it in their life. This will make them great scholars or help them to achieve their dreams and goals.

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Speech on Punctuality

Category: Speech (English) On July 16, 2019 By Swetha

Warm greetings to the teachers and students. We all know that time is very precious . Time once lost can never be gotten back. This is probably why we consider punctuality important. “Never a second late” is a motto that many of us follow.

Punctuality is an important quality of being on time and judiciously using one’s time . Punctuality is also about completing the assigned task within the time stipulated. The idea of punctuality comes with a respect for the value of time of the self and that of others .

Punctuality is a highly appreciated virtue in individuals. The major reason for this importance is that punctual individuals are organised and meet deadlines more often than others. The presence of punctuality in this sense is an indication of the presence of other desirable qualities in a person. Since it is one of the traits that are noticed at first, it becomes very important to be punctual to showcase that the person may most likely have the other qualities as well. Another reason why it is considered important is the respect for time . When we are punctual, we are conveying that we respect the value of time of others and ourselves too.

Now that we know what is being punctual and why it’s important, I shall discuss about how we can be punctual. It is important to make note of all deadlines , meetings and so on in a planner or a calendar. This makes sure that we do not forget or miss any of them. It is important to plan ahead of the event as to how and when we plan to complete it or reach the place. Always have a plan and make sure you follow a routine or schedule to stay ahead of time . If the plan involves commute, consider the various alternatives and include some buffer time so you have some time in case of any unexpected situations. In case you are going to be late, it is always better to leave behind a message that you will be late along with your reasons. These measures will help in staying on time for each deadline or meeting and also create a good impression.

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• Paragraph On Punctuality

Paragraph on Punctuality - Check Samples for Various Word Limits

Punctuality is a quality that has been emphasised from the time we were kids. Someone or the other would have told us about being punctual at every stage of our lives. Cultivating this habit is one of the important aspects of leading a successful life.

Go through the sample paragraphs on punctuality given in the article to learn more about the importance of being punctual. You can also attempt to write a paragraph on punctuality to let everyone around you comprehend its importance too.

Table of Contents

Paragraph on punctuality in 100 words, paragraph on punctuality in 150 words, paragraph on punctuality in 200 words, paragraph on punctuality in 250 words, frequently asked questions on punctuality.

Being punctual is a quality that is a much-needed trait in a person to take up major responsibilities in various ways. To be punctual means to reach somewhere on time, submit work on time, etc. When you are given a time period for something and offered employment within the given time period, it shows your punctuality. It is the quality of a person that makes him capable of handling various tasks on time. It teaches a person to do the right kind of work at the right time without giving any excuse for the delay. It makes a person more systematic and responsible in life.

Punctuality is that characteristic of a person that is much needed for success. It is the only trait that will be helpful throughout life. A punctual person never gives an excuse for a delay in work. A punctual person always performs his work at the right time and never finds an excuse for it. This characteristic of a person is considered to be the only key to success. Lack of punctuality affects a man’s life in various ways. If people of various occupations, like teachers, students, politicians, etc., become punctual, the country would develop in multiple ways. It would bring glory and a bright future to the country. That is why all the students are taught to be punctual from childhood itself. If we look at the lifestyle of great personalities, then we might realise how wisely they have utilised their time without wasting a single minute. All great men and women have been successful only due to their dedication and punctuality.

Punctuality is the practice of being on time. It becomes a habit of doing all work on time. It is the major characteristic of the leaders of the country who bring reform to the nation. It is considered the key to success. Punctuality means a person’s ability to arrive on time, submit work on time, etc. When you are given a deadline for something and complete it within that time frame, it demonstrates your punctuality. A person’s punctuality allows him to complete various tasks on time. It teaches a person how to perform the correct kind of work at the right time without making excuses. Being punctual is a quality that is essential in a person who is taking up responsibilities in a variety of capacities. It helps a person become more organised and responsible in their daily lives. A punctual person knows how to handle multiple problems and manage time well. Earning respect is the biggest achievement in someone’s life, and the trait of punctuality is the secret to leading a respectable life. A punctual person leads a disciplined life and gains much respect everywhere. The people working in the defence sector are known to be very punctual and, therefore, respected. They maintain a scheduled lifestyle without any excuse. All of us should probably emulate them and make our lives more disciplined through prompt and timely action.

Punctuality is the major characteristic of a successful person. It plays a very important role in the development of a child. Youths are the future of our country; therefore, every parent must teach their children to be punctual and disciplined for a glorified future. If you are punctual, no barrier can stop you from reaching your goal. Punctuality is the ability of a person to submit work on time and never find an excuse for the delay. Punctuality is a characteristic that must be ingrained in a child so that they make it a habit. The punctual one will lead a disciplined lifestyle. If we look at the lifestyle and history of great personalities, then punctuality is the key to success. All great personalities are successful only because of their punctuality and discipline. The teachers, politicians, doctors, etc., are the future of the country, and therefore, they must be punctual in doing their duty to the country. But the quality is hardly seen in them. If we take the example of the army personnel, they live a dignified life because of their punctuality and dedication towards their duty. Similarly, if a person is punctual in doing his job, he will be respected in the workspace. If a student completes all his homework and submits them on time, then the child is punctual. So, being punctual is a characteristic in a person which must be developed through one’s own conscious efforts. A dedicated person will never waste a single minute if any work is assigned. This shows the person’s punctuality, which is what will help the person reach success.

How does punctuality affect our life?

Punctuality is the secret key to success. It positively affects everyone’s life in various ways. It makes a person disciplined and systematic. It helps an individual to lead a respectable life.

How do I write a paragraph on punctuality?

To write a paragraph on punctuality, you can mention the effects of punctuality on someone’s life. You can explain how it has been helpful for the development of your personality.

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• The Essential Condensed Guide to English Punctuation

English punctuation is just one of the many reasons why people find English a challenging language to learn.

Indeed, punctuation is such an art that relatively few native English speakers truly understand its subtle complexities. Yet the basics are not so very difficult to master once one understands a few simple rules. In this article, we take you through the ins and outs of basic English punctuation in a guide aimed at both native speakers and those learning English as a Foreign Language.

Comma ( , )

The comma is one of the most commonly used punctuation marks in the English language. It’s used to break up a sentence, making it easier to read and separating clauses. People often find it hard knowing where to place a comma, putting them into a sentence pretty much randomly – with disastrous results. A good rule of thumb is to think about how you would say a sentence out loud. The comma denotes a slight pause, and it’s particularly important for helping the reader make sense of longer sentences. To give you an illustration, consider how the following sentence from Bill Bryson’s Neither Here Nor There sounds without any punctuation: “I had no particular reason to go to Spa except that it always sounded to me like a nice place and indeed it proved to be set in a bowl of green hills with a wooded park the Parc de Sept Heures a grand casino out of all proportion to the modest town…” Try reading this out loud, and you’ll soon realise that the sentence doesn’t work without punctuation. It’s difficult to understand a sentence when all the clauses run into each other, as you don’t know where one part ends and another begins, or what relates to what. Now read it aloud with the punctuation put back in place: “I had no particular reason to go to Spa, except that it always sounded to me like a nice place, and indeed it proved to be, set in a bowl of green hills, with a wooded park, the Parc de Sept Heures, a grand casino out of all proportion to the modest town…” This sentence now makes grammatical sense, as it uses commas to separate individual clauses, such as “I had no particular reason to go to Spa” and “except that it always sounded to me like a nice place” – though note that the sentence, correctly, never uses a comma to connect two independent clauses. It also illustrates another way of using the comma: where the Parc de Sept Heures is mentioned, the commas either side of it are used in place of parentheses, or brackets, which we’ll cover in more detail later; these are essentially adding an aside, with the extra piece of information being the name of the wooded park mentioned in the previous clause.

The Oxford comma – or how to use commas in lists

You would also use commas to separate items in a list. For example: “I went shopping to buy fruit juice, bread, jam and milk.” If you add a comma before the last item, before the “and”, this is called an “Oxford comma”. It isn’t always necessary, but there are sometimes occasions when it is needed to add clarity and avoid confusion. Take this sentence, for example: “We opened the door to the aliens, Prince William and Kate Middleton.” This makes it look as though Prince William and Kate Middleton  are aliens. To indicate that they arrived alongside some aliens, add an Oxford comma: “We opened the door to the aliens, Prince William, and Kate Middleton.” Much clearer! We’ll come across another use for commas later in this article, in the section on quotation marks.

• Commas denote a short pause
• Use commas to separate clauses
• Use commas to separate items in a list

Semi-colons ( ; )

Semi-colons lie somewhere in between commas and full stops. They denote a longer pause than a comma, but not as long a pause as a full stop – although they are used to join two independent clauses that would work as two separate sentences. You would use a semi-colon in instances in which the clause you put after a semi-colon adds some extra information that’s related to what you wrote in the first clause. Consider how the following sentence sounds when punctuated with a comma, semi-colon and full stop. “I have a shed at the bottom of my garden, I use it as my office.” “I have a shed at the bottom of my garden; I use it as my office.” “I have a shed at the bottom of my garden. I use it as my office.” The first version, with the comma, sounds completely wrong (because it is). The second two are both grammatically correct, but the semi-colon makes the statement sound more sophisticated than two separate short sentences. Don’t use semi-colons when the second clause is completely unrelated to the first, as in this example: “I have a shed at the bottom of my garden; I like pies.”

It is acceptable to use a semi-colon to present two contrasting pieces of information that are loosely related, however. For example, if you wanted to talk about one person doing something while another person did something else on the same task, you could link the two with a semi-colon, as follows: “He mowed the lawn; I pulled up the weeds.” You can also use semi-colons to mark a pause in a longer sentence that already uses commas to separate clauses: “I walked into town, hoping to meet up with a friend; but it was a snowy day, and my friend was unable to get off her drive.”

• A semi-colon denotes a longer pause
• Use a semi-colon to join two related clauses that would work as two freestanding sentences

Colons ( : )

Colons are primarily used to indicate the start of a list. They can also be used in a similar fashion to a semi-colon, in instances in which the second clause explains or follows directly on from the first. Here are two examples to illustrate these different uses. “Activities on offer include: white water rafting, canyoning, hiking and camping.” “Never give up on your dream: you can achieve it if you put your mind to it.”

• Use a colon to start a list
• Use a colon to add a second clause that elaborates on the first clause

Exclamation marks ( ! )

Exclamation marks are used at the end of a sentence in place of a full stop. They’re used to indicate an exclamation, surprise or humour, as in the following examples: “Ouch! That was painful.” “Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side!” “Her cooking was the worst I’ve ever seen!” “The phone bill was £70! Can you believe it?” They can also be used to indicate a cheerful tone of voice: “Well, this is all very jolly!” she remarked. Or in direct speech to show that someone is shouting: “It’s none of your business !” he shouted. The meaning of an exclamation mark depends on the context. You’ll often see people using two or more consecutive exclamation marks to express great surprise or amusement in an informal environment, such as an email or social media: “I’ve just won £10 on the lottery!!!” This is fine when you’re writing informally, but it’s to be avoided in formal writing. In fact, it’s best to avoid exclamation marks altogether in a formal document, such as an academic essay.

• Use to highlight an exclamation or a statement that’s particularly surprising or funny
• Never use more than one unless writing informally

Apostrophes

Apostrophes are arguably one of the most abused punctuation marks in the English language, as few people seem to understand the basic rules for their use. Apostrophes indicate possession (something belonging to someone) or contraction (for instance, “do not” becomes “don’t” and “you are” becomes “you’re”). Here are some examples: “They suggested a walk to Jill’s house.” “It’s too far to walk.” “When you’re finished, come and see me.” When you’re indicating possession in the plural, the apostrophe goes after the ‘s’, as follows: “They suggested a walk to her parents’ house.” Because “it’s” (with an apostrophe) means “it is”, we omit the apostrophe when using the possessive form of “it”: “The dog buried its bone.” A common mistake among English speakers is to use an apostrophe to make a word plural (an error particularly prevalent in shops, which might advertise “half price banana’s” – it should, of course, be “bananas”). Apostrophes are never used in this way.

• Use to indicate possession – before the ‘s’ for singular and after the ‘s’ for plural
• Use to indicate a contraction, in place of the omitted letters
• Omit the apostrophe when using the possessive form of “it”
• NEVER use an apostrophe to make a word plural

Ellipses ( … )

Ellipses are a series of three dots, usually used to indicate that some words or phrases have been omitted when quoting from a text, within the same sentence or paragraph, without altering its meaning (often to make the quote more concise and relevant to the point you’re making). One use may be because you want to show contrasts or similarities between two words or phrases within the same chunk of text; for example: “In his famous speech, Shakespeare presents opposing courses of action, such as ‘To be, or not to be … To die, to sleep’.” Ellipses are often also used at the end of a sentence in place of a full stop, to show thoughts trailing off, or to indicate a meaningful pause, hesitation or suspense: “The noise repeated itself again and again until she slipped into a deep sleep…” (trailing off) “She’s not the only one unhappy with the situation…” (meaningful pause) “But that wasn’t the end of it; things were about to get much worse…” (suspense) “I’m really not sure about this… I don’t think we have the right tools.” (hesitation)

• Use ellipses to indicate an omission when quoting
• Use them at the end of a sentence for suspense, hesitation, a meaningful pause or to show a trailing off of thoughts

Quotation marks or inverted commas ( “ ” and ‘ ’ )

Quotation marks, otherwise known as inverted commas, are used to denote someone talking, or when quoting from a text someone else has written. They’re also used to highlight a word or phrase being spoken about, or a word or phrase that is in some way unusual or not likely to be known to the reader. Here are some examples of quotation marks in action: “This is highly suspicious,” he said. “When the writer talks about the concept of ‘global warming’, there are a few things to bear in mind.” “The idea of a ‘people’s revolution’ wasn’t a new one.” There are no hard and fast rules about whether you should use the single ( ‘ ’ ) or double ( “ ” ) version, but try to be consistent. If you’re quoting from a text that contains a quote, use whichever version you didn’t use for the main quote (as in the examples above). Use a comma before the quotation marks when you’re writing direct speech: “He said to me, ‘I’m so happy I could cry’.”

• Use quotation marks when quoting from a text
• Use them to indicate direct speech
• Use them to highlight an unusual word or concept

Hyphens ( – )

Hyphens are used to form new words out of more than one word, such as “father-in-law”. They are often used to make compound adjectives, nouns or verbs, such as “gluten-free”, “nail-clippers” or “essay-writing”. There are no concrete rules about whether or not you should use hyphens in compound words – many now omit the hyphen, so you’ll need to decide what looks right on a case-by-case basis. An important rule to remember is that when using a phrasal verb (adjective plus preposition or adverb), you should not use a hyphen, but when that phrasal verb becomes a noun, you should use one. For example: “They were in the process of breaking up.” “The break-up hit them both hard.” You can also use a hyphen when you’re adding a prefix to a word, when the last letter of the prefix is the same as the first of the word you’re adding it to: “co-operate”, for example.

• Use hyphens to form some compound words
• Don’t use a hyphen for phrasal verbs, but do use one when a phrasal verb becomes a noun
• Use a hyphen to add a prefix to a word that begins with the same letter as the end of the prefix

Parentheses ( ( ) )

Also known as brackets, parentheses are used to add an extra piece of information that isn’t an essential part of the sentence, but that is nevertheless useful. For example: “At £54 (around $90), it’s quite pricey.” You can also use parentheses to add an authorial comment: “He said it didn’t matter (though in my opinion he was lying).” As in these examples, put the punctuation after the bracket if used at the end of a clause or sentence.

• Use parentheses to add extra, non-essential information or an aside from the writer.

Believe it or not, this is merely a brief introduction to the complex world of English punctuation. There are many more nuances that we didn’t have room to discuss here, but this should give you a solid foundation to get your punctuation better than that of most people .

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Definition of punctuality noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

punctuality

• He insists on regular attendance and punctuality.

Definitions on the go

Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.

Examples of punctual in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'punctual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Middle English, having a sharp point, from Medieval Latin punctualis of a point, from Latin punctus pricking, point, from pungere to prick — more at pungent

1669, in the meaning defined above

Dictionary Entries Near punctual

punctographic

punctualness

Cite this Entry

“Punctual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punctual. Accessed 2 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of punctual, more from merriam-webster on punctual.

Nglish: Translation of punctual for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of punctual for Arabic Speakers

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Punctuation Rules

Punctuation rules can confuse the best of us.  When do we use semicolons? What are the rules for commas? When do we use apostrophes and quotation marks? Use this guide to help you! But first ... why are punctuation rules so confusing? Watch the video to find out!

Comma Rules

Commas show your reader that there is a pause in the sentence they are reading. It seems as if commas have more punctuation rules than any other form of punctuation. I've narrowed it down to eight rules for you.

1. Commas After Introductory Words and Clauses

• Quietly, she ran past the sleeping man.  ( adverbs )
• Wow, my sister came home from college. ( interjections )
• If I see your sister, I'll call you. ( subordinate adverb clauses )

2. Commas With Lists

When you list three or more things, use commas between the words.

• I would like grapes, apples, and cookies.
• Are we having fish, chicken, or beef for dinner?

3. Commas Between Multiple Modifiers (Adjectives & Adverbs)

• My new car ran quietly, quickly, and smoothly. 
• I love this warm, fuzzy, pink sweater! 
• It was a bright, sunny day.

Learn more about commas between adjectives here .

4. Commas With Numbers

When a number is over 999, use commas to separate the numbers.

• I paid $3,500 for my new boat.
• The house is $600,000.

5. Commas With Dates And Addresses

• November 1, 2015
• I live in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
• Send the package to 5154 Smith Street, Los Angeles, California 92674.

6. Commas With Quotations

When you are quoting someone's exact speech, you must use quotation marks and a comma.

• My sister exclaimed, "You came home!"
• "I missed you," I said.

7. Commas Joining Independent Clauses

When you join two independent clauses, use a comma and a coordinating conjunction . When you have two independent clauses joined only by a comma, it's called a comma splice. You should avoid comma splices .

• I love cats, but I also love dogs.
• Can you come, or should I go?
• My sister had a ballet performance, and my brother had an orchestra concert.

8. Commas Setting Off Nonrestrictive (Nonessential) Elements

Nonrestrictive elements add information to the sentence, but they're not essential to the meaning of the sentence. We could remove them, and the sentence would still make sense. I know this sounds a bit confusing, but I have a really good trick that will help you remember this, and you can learn about it on this page that covers commas with appositives .

• My sister, a French teacher, lived in France for two years.
• Mike and Bri graduated from UWEC, my alma mater.

1. Ending Sentences

Use these to end declarative sentences  and imperative sentences . 

• The sun is shining today.
• Open the door.

2. Abbreviations (shortened forms of words)

• I spoke with Sgt. Johnson about the troops.

Question Marks

The punctuation rules for question marks are very simple. In fact, there is really only one rule!

These end interrogative sentences . This kind of sentence asks a question. Any time you ask a question, end the sentence with a question mark.

• Should I use a question mark on this sentence? (Yes!)

Exclamation Marks

When should you use exclamation marks ? 

Use these at the end of exclamatory sentences  (sentences that show emotion).

• We won the game!

2. Interjections

You can use either an exclamation mark or a comma after an interjection .

• Yes! We won the game!
•  Yes, we won the game.

Use these to separate two complete sentences that are closely related.

• I went to the play; my cousin was the main actor.

Watch me diagram a sentence with a semicolon here .

There are three ways to use colons . 

1. Introducing Lists

• There are three ways that I love to relax: reading magazines, practicing yoga, and taking baths .

2. Introducing Single Items

You can use a colon to introduce a single thing when you want to emphasize it.

• After shopping for eight hours, I finally found them: the perfect pair of jeans.

3. Between Two Complete Sentences

This is only a legit move if the second sentence states a logical consequence of whatever is stated in the first sentence. 

• Jim ate brownies constantly: he gained seven pounds.

Apostrophes

The punctuation rules for apostrophes  are some of the most commonly misused punctuation rules ever. The rules are pretty simple. There are only three times when you should use apostrophes.

1. To Show Possession

When you want to make something possessive (to show ownership), use an apostrophe.

• This is  Mark's  cat.  (The cat belongs to Mark.)
• That is the television's  remote control. (The remote control belongs to the television.)
• Don't ever go into the teachers' lounge. (The lounge belongs to the teachers.)

2. To Show Omission

Contractions use apostrophes to stand in the place of missing letters.

• I can't  stand the smell of bananas! (can't = cannot)
• It's already five o'clock !  (o'clock = of the clock)
• The students shouldn't  use cell phones in class. (shouldn't = should not

3. To Form Strange Plurals

Use apostrophes to make lowercase letters plural.

• Dot the  i's  and cross the t's .

Last Name Plural? Before you start sprinkling apostrophes across your holiday cards, read this lesson on properly making your last name plural . :)

Quotation Marks

Here are two times you when should use quotation marks.

1. Quoting Exact Speech

Whenever you quote someone's exact speech, you must use quotation marks.

• The police officer said, "Where are you going?"
• "I'm going to work," I replied.

Use quotation marks to show the titles of magazine articles, chapters, short stories, essays, poems, and songs.

• " Columbus " is a great poem.
• Our homework tonight is to read Chapter 6, " The Lovely Rose Garden. "
• Sydney sang "The Star Spangled Banner" at the football game.

Would you like to learn (or teach) the rules of punctuation?

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Francis Fan Lee, former professor and interdisciplinary speech processing inventor, dies

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Francis Fan Lee ’50, SM ’51, PhD ’66, a former professor of MIT’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, died on Jan. 12. He was approximately 97.

Born in 1927 in Nanjing, China, to professors Li Rumian and Zhou Huizhan, Lee learned English from his father, a faculty member in the Department of English at the University of Wuhan. Lee’s mastery of the language led to an interpreter position at the U.S. Office of Strategic Services, and eventually a passport and permission from the Chinese government to study in the United States. 

Lee left China via steamship in 1948 to pursue his undergraduate education at MIT. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering in 1950 and 1951, respectively, before going into industry. Around this time, he became reacquainted with a friend he’d known in China, who had since emigrated; he married Teresa Jen Lee, and the two welcomed children Franklin, Elizabeth, Gloria, and Roberta over the next decade. 

During his 10-year industrial career, Lee distinguished himself in roles at Ultrasonic (where he worked on instrument type servomechanisms, circuit design, and a missile simulator), RCA Camden (where he worked on an experimental time-shared digital processor for department store point-of-sale interactions), and UNIVAC Corp. (where he held a variety of roles, culminating in a stint in Philadelphia, planning next-generation computing systems.)

Lee returned to MIT to earn his PhD in 1966, after which he joined the then-Department of Electrical Engineering as an associate professor with tenure, affiliated with the Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE). There, he pursued the subject of his doctoral research: the development of a machine that would read printed text out loud — a tremendously ambitious and complex goal for the time.

Work on the “RLE reading machine,” as it was called, was inherently interdisciplinary, and Lee drew upon the influences of multiple contemporaries, including linguists Morris Halle and Noam Chomsky, and  engineer Kenneth Stevens , whose quantal theory of speech production and recognition broke down human speech into discrete, and limited, combinations of sound. One of Lee’s greatest contributions to the machine, which he co-built with  Donald Troxel , was a clever and efficient storage system that used root words, prefixes, and suffixes to make the real-time synthesis of half-a-million English words possible, while only requiring about 32,000 words’ worth of storage. The solution was emblematic of Lee’s creative approach to solving complex research problems, an approach which earned him respect and admiration from his colleagues and contemporaries.

In reflection of Lee’s remarkable accomplishments in both industry and building the reading machine, he was promoted to full professor in 1969, just three years after he earned his PhD. Many awards and other recognition followed, including the IEEE Fellowship in 1971 and the Audio Engineering Society Best Paper Award in 1972. Additionally, Lee occupied several important roles within the department, including over a decade spent as the undergraduate advisor. He consistently supported and advocated for more funding to go to ongoing professional education for faculty members, especially those who were no longer junior faculty, identifying ongoing development as an important, but often-overlooked, priority.

Lee’s research work continued to straddle both novel inquiry and practical, commercial application — in 1969, together with Charles Bagnaschi, he founded American Data Sciences, later changing the company’s name to Lexicon Inc. The company specialized in producing devices that expanded on Lee’s work in digital signal compression and expansion: for example, the first commercially available speech compressor and pitch shifter, which was marketed as an educational tool for blind students and those with speech processing disorders. The device, called Varispeech, allowed students to speed up written material without losing pitch — much as modern audiobook listeners speed up their chapters to absorb books at their preferred rate. Later innovations of Lee’s included the Time Compressor Model 1200, which added a film and video component to the speeding-up process, allowing television producers to subtly speed up a movie, sitcom, or advertisement to precisely fill a limited time slot without having to resort to making cuts. For this work, he received an Emmy Award for technical contributions to editing.

In the mid-to-late 1980s, Lee’s influential academic career was brought to a close by a series of deeply personal tragedies, including the 1984 murder of his daughter Roberta, and the subsequent and sudden deaths of his wife, Theresa, and his son, Franklin. Reeling from his losses, Lee ultimately decided to take an early retirement, dedicating his energy to healing. For the next two decades, he would explore the world extensively, a nomadic second chapter that included multiple road trips across the United States in a Volkswagen camper van. He eventually settled in California, where he met his last wife, Ellen, and where his lively intellectual life persisted despite diagnoses of deafness and dementia; as his family recalled, he enjoyed playing games of Scrabble until his final weeks. 

He is survived by his wife Ellen Li; his daughters Elizabeth Lee (David Goya) and Gloria Lee (Matthew Lynaugh); his grandsons Alex, Benjamin, Mason, and Sam; his sister Li Zhong (Lei Tongshen); and family friend Angelique Agbigay. His family have asked that gifts honoring Francis Fan Lee’s life be directed to the  Hertz Foundation . 

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• Francis Lee: A Lifetime of Innovation
• Research Laboratory of Electronics
• Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

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• Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (eecs)

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Donald Troxel, longtime EECS professor, dies at 76

Kenneth Stevens, professor emeritus in EECS, dies at 89

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Machine listening: Making speech recognition systems more inclusive

Study explores how african american english speakers adapt their speech to be understood by voice technology..

Interactions with voice technology, such as Amazon's Alexa, Apple's Siri, and Google Assistant, can make life easier by increasing efficiency and productivity. However, errors in generating and understanding speech during interactions are common. When using these devices, speakers often style-shift their speech from their normal patterns into a louder and slower register, called technology-directed speech.

Research on technology-directed speech typically focuses on mainstream varieties of U.S. English without considering speaker groups that are more consistently misunderstood by technology. In JASA Express Letters, published on behalf of the Acoustical Society of America by AIP Publishing, researchers from Google Research, the University of California, Davis, and Stanford University wanted to address this gap.

One group commonly misunderstood by voice technology are individuals who speak African American English, or AAE. Since the rate of automatic speech recognition errors can be higher for AAE speakers, downstream effects of linguistic discrimination in technology may result.

"Across all automatic speech recognition systems, four out of every ten words spoken by Black men were being transcribed incorrectly," said co-author Zion Mengesha. "This affects fairness for African American English speakers in every institution using voice technology, including health care and employment."

"We saw an opportunity to better understand this problem by talking to Black users and understanding their emotional, behavioral, and linguistic responses when engaging with voice technology," said co-author Courtney Heldreth.

The team designed an experiment to test how AAE speakers adapt their speech when imagining talking to a voice assistant, compared to talking to a friend, family member, or stranger. The study tested familiar human, unfamiliar human, and voice assistant-directed speech conditions by comparing speech rate and pitch variation. Study participants included 19 adults identifying as Black or African American who had experienced issues with voice technology. Each participant asked a series of questions to a voice assistant. The same questions were repeated as if speaking to a familiar person and, again, to a stranger. Each question was recorded for a total of 153 recordings.

Analysis of the recordings showed that the speakers exhibited two consistent adjustments when they were talking to voice technology compared to talking to another person: a slower rate of speech with less pitch variation (more monotone speech).

"These findings suggest that people have mental models of how to talk to technology," said co-author Michelle Cohn. "A set 'mode' that they engage to be better understood, in light of disparities in speech recognition systems."

There are other groups misunderstood by voice technology, such as second-language speakers. The researchers hope to expand the language varieties explored in human-computer interaction experiments and address barriers in technology so that it can support everyone who wants to use it.

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Story Source:

Materials provided by American Institute of Physics . Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

• Michelle Cohn, Zion Mengesha, Michal Lahav, Courtney Heldreth. African American English speakers’ pitch variation and rate adjustments for imagined technological and human addressees . JASA Express Letters , 2024; 4 (4) DOI: 10.1121/10.0025484

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‘Infiltrators’: Modi accused of anti-Muslim hate speech amid India election

The Indian PM turned to old anti-Muslim tropes in an election rally, potentially signalling a shift in his campaign strategy, say analysts.

New Delhi, India — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing accusations of spreading hatred against Muslims after controversial comments on Sunday wherein he equated the community to “infiltrators” and peddled anti-Muslim tropes in the middle of the country’s general elections.

Speaking at a crowded rally in the western state of Rajasthan, Modi said if the opposition led by the Congress party came to power, it would distribute the country’s wealth among “those who have more children”, in an apparent reference to Muslims, whom he had spoken about just before.

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“Should your hard-earned money be given to infiltrators?” he said to the cheering crowd, before alleging that the opposition would take away even mangalsutras — the auspicious necklace that a husband ties around his wife’s neck in Hindu weddings — if given a chance.

Local poll officials in Rajasthan confirmed to Al Jazeera that they had received at least two complaints against Modi, calling for his election campaign to be suspended and for his arrest.

Renu Poonia, a nodal officer of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in the state capital, Jaipur, revealed that the complaints were received from the Azad Adhikar Sena, a regional political party, and a local non-profit organisation. India’s election code bars parties and politicians from engaging in speeches and campaigns that aim to perpetuate religious or caste differences. But independent watchdogs and activists have long complained that election officials act too slowly, if at all, especially when cases involve powerful officials in the government.

Many leaders in Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies in India’s Hindu-majoritarian right have long portrayed the country’s 200 million Muslims effectively as outsiders. Muslim asylum seekers and refugees from Bangladesh and Myanmar are in particular targeted as “infiltrators”.

The BJP and its partners have also long pushed a conspiracy theory that suggests that Indian Muslims produce more children intending to eventually outnumber Hindus in the country. In reality, government data shows that the Muslim fertility rate in India is dropping the fastest among all communities and has almost halved in the past three decades.

Modi has himself promoted this stereotype — in 2002, after an anti-Muslim massacre in the state of Gujarat, where he served terms as chief minister — infamously mocking relief camps as baby-producing factories.

Yet, in recent years, while others in his party and its coalition partners have often engaged in open Islamophobic commentary and even violence, Modi has focused on his government’s claimed accomplishments in the fields of the economy and social development. That had been the principal thrust of his 2024 re-election campaign too.

Asim Ali, a political commentator, said Modi’s remarks were “the most inflammatory statement by a sitting prime minister in the recent history of India” and marked a significant shift in his election pitch. India is poised to vote in the second of seven phases of its national election on Friday, April 26. The first phase of voting was held on April 19.

“Five years ago, the question was why is Modi not reigning in extremist voices; now, PM Modi is the most extremist campaigner,” said Ali.

‘Unconscious comment’ or ‘true nature’?

In his speech, Modi said he was referring to the Congress election manifesto, which promises wealth redistribution amid growing concerns over inequality, and to past statements by the opposition party.

“When they [the Congress] were in power, they said Muslims have first right over resources. They will gather all your wealth and distribute it among those who have more children,” Modi said.

In 2006, then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of the Congress had said India’s traditionally marginalised communities, including castes that had faced historical discrimination and religious minorities, “particularly Muslims”, should have the first claim on the nation’s resources. Singh’s comment had followed a report by a government-appointed panel under a former judge that had found that the social, economic and educational conditions of Indian Muslims were worse than those of any caste or community.

Modi’s comments, some analysts and common Muslims said, could instigate hate-fuelled violence against Muslims — already a problem that has skyrocketed under the current government’s decade-long reign.

“The PM might have said it as a jibe against the Congress, but eventually this will further perpetuate the stereotype of Muslims as a problem, and not an asset for India,” said Zeyad Masroor Khan, journalist and author of City on Fire, a book on an anti-Muslim riot in Aligarh in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. The comments might “even promote acts of violence against Muslims”, he said.

Khan said the shift in campaign messaging “exposes the true nature of Modi”.

Sandeep Shastri, the national coordinator of the New Delhi-based Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) research programme Lokniti Network, said he hoped Modi’s comments were a slip — and not a conscious change in campaign strategy. According to CSDS polling, the BJP holds a comfortable 12 percent vote advantage over the principal opposition alliance.

“I do not think that the ground situation warranted any rashness from Modi,” said Shastri, adding that he was personally “disappointed” by the statement. “It could have been an unconscious comment – made in the rush of the moment or excitement of campaign,” Shastri added, referring to Modi’s assertion, after he won the 2019 election, that he would work for all Indians. Against that backdrop, comments like Sunday’s “are best avoided”, he said.

“If the intention is what the speech suggests, it is a matter of huge alarm.”

‘Scared to go to the market’

Ashfaq Hussain, a 35-year-old contractor in Rajasthan, is not waiting for any clarification from Modi or the BJP about Sunday’s comments. He said he has seen enough.

Hussain was sitting with his teenage son when a snippet of Modi’s speech popped up on his smartphone. He scrolled the feed quickly, he said. “Our PM is using language like ‘infiltrators’ for us. I feel ashamed and it is gutting,” he told Al Jazeera.

Rajasthan has witnessed a series of anti-Muslim hate crimes in recent years, including lynchings.

“[Modi’s speech] endangers my family’s safety and further divides our society by erasing the historical brotherhood.”

“I’m scared to even go to the market alone in the evening; people call names and try to instigate, which then can anytime turn into a lynching,” Hussain said.

BJP national spokesperson Zafar Islam said Modi’s comments were being misinterpreted.

“We need to get this in right context. In the past, a lot of people have come from outside and have now mixed in the society and using resources,” he said, suggesting that Modi was referring to foreign nationals illegal in India, and not Indian Muslims, while speaking of “infiltrators”.

Islam claimed that Indian Muslims had benefited from government schemes under Modi and that opposition parties relied on scaremongering to get religious minorities to vote for them.

But the Congress party chief, Mallikarjun Kharge, said Modi’s “hate speech” was “a deliberate ploy to divert attention”.

Ali, the political commentator, agreed. The opposition has been focusing on the need for a caste census — an enumeration of the populations of different castes in India. The Congress claims this would show how disadvantaged castes have been denied adequate affirmative action. “To respond to the opposition, textbook politics say you need a scapegoat; and for the BJP, it has been Muslims,” he said.

The speech was also worrying, Ali said, because of Modi’s attempt to portray Muslims as dangerous to the very identity of Hindus.

“Mangalsutras are considered sacred – it was a deeply psychological attack that gives a sense that Muslims will endanger your private, domestic space,” said Ali.

“This is a very dangerous moment for Indian politics.”