Shadowing Practice: 2022 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking: Cyril Junior Dim - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B2
Cyril Junior Dim.
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108 sentences
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Cyril Junior Dim.
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Ndini.
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Ndini Cyril Junior Dim.
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Thank you, contest chair.
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You're welcome.
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I love that the contest chair sounds more Zimbabwean than I do.
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In Zimbabwe, we speak Shona.
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And in this beautiful language,
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we have a very important word that I'd like to share with you today.
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In Shona, we say, Ndini.
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N-D-I-N-I.
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Ndini.
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Try it.
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Beautiful.
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It means, this is me.
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In my language, we have one word for this very important phrase.
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This is me.
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Ndini.
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This word is special for me now,
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but growing up, I wasn't always comfortable with who I was.
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You see, even though I grew up in Zimbabwe,
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my middle name was a long, winding, complicated Nigerian name name,
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because my father, whom I never knew, was Nigerian.
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Now yes, I may know a Nigerian prince or two,
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but back then, I didn't want a Nigerian name.
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I wanted a cool name,
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like Martin Luther King Jr. Or Contest Chair.
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The other kids would make fun of me.
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They said my name was useful as a password.
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They called my middle name memorably forgettable.
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They said my middle name was a curse from black magic.
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I hated my name.
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Have you ever hated something about yourself?
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I would argue with mom.
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I would be so mad at her.
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You gave me this name.
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You did this to me.
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And now everybody makes fun of me because I'm different.
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And my mom would look at me and say,
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But son, that name is who you are.
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It's special.
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You know, your middle name means that what God has done,
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Man, no man can change.
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And I said, Mom, man has changed many things.
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Okay, look at chihuahuas.
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That used to be a wolf.
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I'm pretty sure I can change my name. And I did.
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As soon as I turned 18,
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I had my middle name removed from all my documents.
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It became my best-kept secret,
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and I have not said that name once ever since.
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Before I knew it, it was 2018,
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and I had landed in college,
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not in Zimbabwe, not even in Africa,
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but in the heart of Eastern Europe.
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It was clear who grew up in the snow and who grew up in the sand.
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I had never been this different before.
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The fly in the milk.
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It felt like I had taken one step forward and ten steps backwards.
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Then I met Nick, another fly in the milk, but from Congo.
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He's got the African boy swag,
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you know, low, deep voice, speaks very slowly.
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He's like Mufasa, but in slow motion.
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We're in the library one day,
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and Nick drops his ID.
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And like a good friend,
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I pick it up and proceed to read it out loud,
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including his full name, Nicholas Rolinswini Bitumi.
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And I say, dude, let's say your name three times and see what happens.
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But I knew exactly how those words must have felt. But Nick was ready.
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I have never met anybody with my name.
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It was a gift from my grandfather, and I like it.
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And we laughed, and we got kicked out of the library.
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But in my heart, I was 18 again,
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seeing in Nick what I didn't have for myself,
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acceptance and for the first time I started looking around and I realized we're all different
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even Nick was different but he wasn't just different.
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He was special because he accepted himself.
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And for the first time in a long time,
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I wanted to accept myself too.
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I looked myself in the mirror and said, Indini, this is me.
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I know that many of you out there at some point in your life have felt uncomfortable being who you are.
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Maybe it was your name,
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maybe it was the family you came from,
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maybe it was the school you went to,
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maybe you were tall, maybe you were short,
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maybe you have wrinkles, freckles, maybe you have scars.
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I know that some of you out there know what it is to be different.
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And even if you don't feel it,
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I'm sure you know somebody who does.
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You are beautifully you.
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The only you.
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And no man can change that.
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So let me invite you to make this very important word a part of your language.
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Ndini.
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This is me.
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For my friends here in Nashville and the thousands watching from home,
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say it with me.
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This is me.
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This is me.
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Ndini.
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Ndini.
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Beautiful.
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I haven't had the courage to officially reclaim my name.
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But here, today, I think we can make a step in the right direction.
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I was born Cyril Junior Uchechukumere Dim.
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And this is me, Dini.
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Thank you.

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Context & Background

Cyril Junior Dim, the 2022 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking, shares a personal narrative that highlights the importance of identity and self-acceptance. In his speech, he brings forth the word "Ndini," which means "this is me" in his native Shona language. The speaker reflects on his struggle with his complex Nigerian middle name, symbolizing the challenges of embracing one's heritage in a world that often celebrates conformity. His journey of self-discovery resonates with many, exemplifying how personal stories can foster deeper connections in communication while also providing valuable lessons in language and identity.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • Ndini: This Shona word translates to "this is me." It’s a powerful phrase for affirming one’s identity.
  • I hated my name: This expression conveys strong emotions and can be used in contexts discussing personal experiences or challenges.
  • It's special: A phrase that emphasizes the uniqueness or importance of something, often used in personal reflections.
  • Man has changed many things: An idiomatic way to discuss transformation, applicable in various conversation topics.
  • Your name is who you are: This phrase highlights the significance of identity, a vital conversation point regarding self-acceptance.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively practice speaking using the shadowing technique from Cyril's inspiring speech, follow these steps:

  1. Listening Phase: Start by watching the video while paying close attention to Cyril's intonation and emotion. It helps to grasp the context of each phrase in his personal story.
  2. Chunking: Break down the speech into smaller parts. Focus on a few sentences at a time, allowing for in-depth understanding.
  3. Repetition: Play a segment, pause, and then repeat what Cyril says. Focus on mimicking his rhythm and pronunciation. This practice is a core component of effective shadowspeaks.
  4. Reflection: After a few repetitions of a segment, consider how you feel about similar identity issues. This can help create emotional engagement while practicing.
  5. Record & Compare: Record yourself using the shadow speak method. Listen back to identify areas for improvement in pronunciation and fluency. Comparing your speech to Cyril's will highlight your progress.

By utilizing these strategies and incorporating the phrases learned, language learners will find that engaging in English conversations becomes more natural and confident. For those keen to advance their listening and speaking skills, visiting a dedicated shadowing site can also provide additional resources and practice opportunities.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

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