演説

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 演説 is a noun read えんぜつ; 演説する describes presenting views or an argument before an audience.
• Basic usage: Express the audience and setting with 民衆の前で演説する and the subject with 環境を題材にした演説.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• で before an audience
  • In 民衆の前で, で marks the setting of the speech. 前 describes a spatial position before the people, not an earlier time.
• 演説 and スピーチ
  • スピーチ broadly covers many short ceremonial, introductory, or presentational remarks. 演説 focuses on a formal address conveying views or claims to a public audience.
• Preparation and delivery
  • 演説を準備した means that the speech or its content was prepared; it does not state that the speech was actually delivered.