Connecting through Verbal

Communication

Prepared for UHS 2052, UHS 2062 and SHP 1313 students at UTM Malaysia by: Siti Rokiah Siwok

srsiwok@gmail.com

Language

“Language is a structured system of signs, sounds, gestures, and marks that is used and understood to express ideas and feelings among people within a community, nation, geographic area, or cultural tradition.” ( Sieler and Beall, 2011, page 85)

Verbal communicationLanguage is critical to communication.Words can make a difference and it is not enough to know the dictionary meanings.Competent communicators are able to determine which form of language is appropriate for a particular situation.

Verbal Communicationa

Language is one means by which communicate and speech is one way we use language.The use of language does not guarantee that we communicate effectively.Language is useful if it help us to convey meanings.

The importance of Language

Language is powerful.Language affects thoughts.

The elements of Language

SoundsWords

GrammarMeanings

SoundsUnder normal circumstances we are given the capacity to produce sounds.However we do not produce sounds in the same way.

WordsWords are symbols that represents objects or concepts.People give meanings to words.

Some meanings of words are known in everyday usage

while some are not

GrammarGrammar are rules that govern how words are put together to form phrases and sentences.The ability to use sounds and grammar correctly is crucial to competent communication.

Meaning

• Words without meanings would be purposeless.

• The study of meaning, or the association of words with ideas, feelings and contexts is called

semantics.

Words and meaningsDoes using a particular word

ensure we convey a particular meaning?

Words and meaningsMeanings are not in words but in

people

Words and meaningsWords are symbols that

represent people, objects, concepts and events.

The words are NOT the people, objects, concepts and events

Words acquire meaning only through the context in which

they are used

Words : Denotative and Connotative

Meanings

Denotative meaningsDenotation is the common meaning associated with a

word, according to the standard dictionary meaning.

Denotative meaning is usually readily understood

However, we usually use words connotatively.

Connotative meanings

Connotation is the subjective meaning of a word, which

comes with feelings or associations it evokes.

Connotative meanings

The connotative meaning is based on the context in which

the word is used, how the meaning is expressed nonverbally, and the

understanding of the receiver.

Connotative meanings

The competent communicator can differentiate between

denotative and connotative meanings and understand which

is being used in a given situation.

Words: Concrete or abstract

Concrete wordsAre symbols for specific things,

such as car, book or keys.Can be made more specific by

such as my 1.5 automatic Kancil, Sieler and Beall 8th

edition Communication book; my room key etc

Concrete wordsCommunication based on

concrete words are less likely to have misunderstanding as the

objects can be referred to.

Abstract wordsAbstract words are symbols to represent abstract things such

as ideas, qualities, concepts and relationships.

These are things which cannot be experienced using the

senses.

Abstract WordsThe meanings of abstract words depend on the experiences and

intentions of the person using them

Can lead to misunderstanding; ineffective communication.

Copyright © Allyn and Bacon 2008 24

The Ladder of Abstraction

Cynthia

Best Friend

Friend

Roommate

Employee

Person

Concrete

AbstractHuman

Life

Meanings depends on commonalities

The more communicators have in common in terms of

background, experience etc the more likely for them to hold

similar meanings

But…words can obscure meanings

Words …..Used by specific groups

Change according to timeRegional

SubcultureDeliberately used to achieve

some specific goals

Words that obscureJargon

SlangEuphemism

Doublespeak

Language –based barriers

BypassingIndiscrimination

polarization

bypassing

A misunderstanding that occurs between a sender and a receiver because of the

symbolic nature of language

bypassingBypassing usually results from the false belief that a word has

only one meaning and that words have meanings in

themselves

bypassingThe interpretation of words

becomes more complex when people from different cultures

communicateNative speakers and non-

speakers have to be taken into account

Some bypassings are deliberate

IndiscriminationIndiscrimination is the neglect of

individual differences and the overemphasis of similiarities

IndiscriminationNouns that categorize people such as “teenager” , “student” and “politician”, encourage us to focus on similarities.

The categorization fails to identify the differences among

individuals; often leads to stereotyping

IndiscriminationSome stereotyping can be

positive, such as “All teachers are dedicated professionals”, or “All students are hardworking”.

To reduce indiscrimination:Indexin

gOne way to reduce

indiscrimination in our communication is to do

“indexing”.Indexing is a technique to

reduce indiscrimination by identifying the specific persons,

ideas, events or objects to which a statement refers to.

To reduce indiscrimination: Dating

“Dating” is a form of indexing that sorts people, ideas, events and objects according to time.

By telling when something occurred, we acknowledge that

things change over time and thus adds specificity.

PolarizationPolarization is the tendency to view things in terms of extremes such as rich or poor, large or small, high or low etc. This is “either-or” black-or-

white” way of thinking.Polarization can be destructive and

can escalate conflict.

PolarizationSpeakers can avoid the dangers

of polarization by recognizing the potential for

misunderstanding and by making statements that do not

represent “extremes”.Further information and clarification also useful.

OthersUse gender-inclusive language, that is language that does not discriminate against males or

femalesAware that culture affects the

way we use language

Using language effectively

Five variables influence the effectiveness of language use:

– Accuracy– Vividness

– Immediacy– Appropriateness

– The use of metaphor

Main reference:Seiler, W. J and Beall, M. L

( 2011). Communication. Making Connections ( 8th ed). Boston:

Pearson