Right speech means abstaining from lying, slander, hypocrisy (including causing trouble among friends by saying one thing to one and something different to another), and idle talk (including loquacity, obscenity, and silliness). From the positive viewpoint, right speech means speaking the truth, praising where praise is due, criticizing compassionately when criticism is called for, and always stimulating harmony and love among all people by speaking in a way that is constructive and useful and that benefits both oneself and others.
Basic Buddhist Concepts