Old Habits, New Words: The Hidden Science of Why We Speak the Way We Do

Your childhood may feel far behind you, but its influence on your communication is alive and active.

The way you were raised - the tone, structure, expectations, and emotional climate - still affects how you write and speak today.

This is the CTM Force called Origin.

Origin Is the Root of Everything

Think about these questions:

• Were you raised to speak boldly or politely?
• Were children encouraged to debate adults or stay quiet?
• Was your culture high-context (implicit) or low-context (explicit)?
• Was respect shown through clarity or through indirectness?

Your answer to these questions shapes:

• your tone
• your confidence
• your communication instincts
• your emotional patterns
• your reaction to conflict

Examples of How Origin Shapes Adult Communication

1. The Over-Apologizer

Grew up in environments where politeness = survival.
In adulthood, every email begins with “Sorry…”

2. The Over-Explainer

Raised where mistakes were punished.
Adult self → over-justifies every decision.

3. The Quiet Contributor

Raised where speaking unless invited was seen as disrespectful.
Adult self → rarely speaks in meetings.

4. The Over-Formal Writer

Grew up writing exams and memorizing textbooks.
Adult self → writes emails like academic essays.

Origin never leaves you: it travels with you.

But Origin Does NOT Define You

The Communication Terroir Method (CTM) does not seek to erase your Origin.
It helps you:

• understand it
• honour it
• refine it
• integrate it

Origin is not something to escape.
It's something to build from.

The Power of Recognizing Your Origin

Once you understand why you communicate the way you do:

• shame disappears
• clarity increases
• confidence rises
• structure becomes natural
• communication becomes intentional

Real Example

A brilliant Nigerian bank professional in Canada rarely spoke in meetings.
Why?

Origin: Respect = silence
Environment: Respect = contribution
Identity: Deep thinker
Expression: Hesitant
Refinement: Absent

CTM aligned him.
Within 3 sessions, he was contributing with clarity and calm authority.

Final Word

Your upbringing shaped your voice.
Your future can refine it.

Want to understand the Origin shaping your communication?
Start with a Communication Clarity Audit.