Wk4 Verbal/NonVerbal Communication Lecture

Discuss the role of verbal communication and the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis in communicating effectively  Differentiate verbal communication in terms of denotative meaning and connotative meaning  Briefly discuss how gender and culture impacts on verbal communication  Define non-verbal communication and describe briefly four of its functions  Explain with example(s) the concept of congruence (i.e., for verbal and non-verbal messages)  Briefly describe four forms of non-verbal communication

Learning Objectives

Acquiring the Ability to Use Words• How individuals acquire the ability to use words depends on:  Native architecture  Genetics  Cognitive development  Thinking and organising systems of the brain  Environmental influences  Culture, social settings• Good verbal communication skills enhances :  your ability to communicate ideas, feelings  and information more successfully : your ability to imagine and think up and articulate new ideasHow Words Work  ? Verbal communication is simply written or spoken wordsWords are symbols • Language is a unified system of signs and symbols that permits a sharing of meaning. • A symbol stands for, or represents a thing • A word is a symbol that represents a thing – it is not the thing itselfSapir-Whorf hypothesis • The language we use can determine or influence the way we view and think • The semantic structure of a language shapes or limits the ways in which we forms conceptions of the worldCONNOTATION AND DENOTATION MEANING Denotative meanings • Dictionary meaning Connotative meanings • Emotional Meaning of a word – often related to your experience Connotation and Denotation MeaningsThe Difference between Connotation and Denotatio

Acquiring the ability to use words

Gender and LanguageMen and Women have different styles of speaking WOMEN • Rapport-talk • Use more and intense adjectives • Use more questions and justifiersMEN • Report-talk • Discuss problems in terms of solutions • Interrupt more • Give more directives CULTURE AND LANGUAGEThe English Language • As a first or native language • As a second language • As an international language • Challenges in translationDialect • Habitual language of a diversed group (e.g. local community, region, socio-economic groups) • Unique and distinguishes the group

Gender and Language

• Is information communicated without using words • Predominantly used at an unconscious level - often with little or no awareness • More spontaneous & less controlled than verbal communication • Wide variety of meanings • Culturally determined• Complements verbal messages • But may also conflict with verbal messages • Shows your feelings and attitudes • Varies by gender • Can be a very powerful tool in understanding ourselves and others • 65% of interviewers’ decisions to hire based on nonverbal cue • Embraces all body language communication including clothing and adornment, environmental factors and the manner in which we use time Four Functions of Nonverbal CommunicationComplementRegulateSubstituteAccent

Non-Verbal Communication

Congruence The extent to which verbal and nonverbal messages reinforce or contradict each other• When they are not congruent with each other, we need to work out what is really true• If there is incongruence, we tend to believe the nonverbal communicationWhen communicating, verbal symbols (digital) are accompanied by non-verbal cues (analog)• Therefore, a false dichotomy to separate verbal and non-verbal communication• Truly effective communication occurs when the two aspects are in harmony• As a communicator your goal is to reach congruency between verbal symbols and non-verbal cues

Congruence/ Rules of verbal/non-verbal communication

Four Forms of Nonverbal CommunicationKINESICS PARALANGUAGE CLOTHING & ADORNMENT • PROXEMICS Kinesics• Head movements • Facial Expressions • Eyes • Gestures • Posture • Body movement • Touch (Haptics) • Smell (Olfactics) • Time (Chronemics)Kinesics • Emblems = Directly translates into words • Illustrators = Accent, emphasize or reinforce words  Regulators = ‘traffic cops’ of conversation • Displays of feelings =Face, body language • Adaptors =  ‘Adjustments’ (e.g. crossing of arms when defensiveParalanguage • Rate • Speed, Convergence • Pitch • High/low – low more pleasant • Volume • Appropriateness • Quality • Tempo, rhythm, articulation • Vocal Fillers (dysfluencies) Clothing • Uniforms • Occupational dress • Leisure clothing • Costumes • Group identification • Display of wealth/status • Display of dominance/threatBody Adornment• Physical decoration • Body modification • Hair, face, skin • Indication of sexual modesty                                    • Displays of compensationProxemics • Territory • Intimate distance • Personal distance • Social distance • Public distance

Four forms of non-verbal communication

Controlling Nonverbal Communication• Heavily reliant upon self-awareness • Requires sensitivity & practice • Controlling emotions • Be aware of and consider the different cultural interpretationsImproving Nonverbal Communication• How do people react to you? • Can video help your nonverbal communication? • Is your nonverbal communication appropriate to the role you are playing? • How do you use your space? • How do you use time?

Controlling/Improving NVC