Communication Science 010Communication Science 010

Learning Unit 2: Verbal- and Learning Unit 2: Verbal- and Non-verbal CommunicationNon-verbal Communication

Learning Unit Objectives:Learning Unit Objectives: Define verbal communicationDefine verbal communication Understand words and meaning by doing:Understand words and meaning by doing:

- Explain ‘symbols’ and ‘referents’- Explain ‘symbols’ and ‘referents’- Explain ‘denotation’ and ‘connotation’- Explain ‘denotation’ and ‘connotation’- Explain ‘private’ and ‘shared’ meaning- Explain ‘private’ and ‘shared’ meaning

Describe the Sapir-Whorf HypothesisDescribe the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Discuss all the language problemsDiscuss all the language problems Discuss all the language typesDiscuss all the language types Define and discuss non-verbal Define and discuss non-verbal

communicationcommunication Explain all the different categories of non-Explain all the different categories of non-

verbal communicationverbal communication

Verbal (using words: verbal or written) Verbal (using words: verbal or written) CommunicationCommunication

Verbal (either spoken or written) Verbal (either spoken or written) communication refers to the use of communication refers to the use of words. . Words do not contain meaning in itself…Words do not contain meaning in itself…we give words meaning!we give words meaning!The word is not the thing.The word is not the thing.

Symbol: Symbol: representing something. E.g. representing something. E.g.

representing a car; or the word ‘father’ representing a car; or the word ‘father’ representing the man who raises you. representing the man who raises you. Symbols can be words/ pictures/ colours/ Symbols can be words/ pictures/ colours/ signs.signs.

Referent: Referent: the the thingthing or or ideaidea the symbol refers the symbol refers to. E.g. the words ‘Varsity College’ (symbol) to. E.g. the words ‘Varsity College’ (symbol) refers to the idea of a tertiary-institution-refers to the idea of a tertiary-institution-where-education-takes-place (referent).where-education-takes-place (referent).

DDenotation: enotation: the the DDictionary meaning of a ictionary meaning of a word. E.g. ‘Mother’: a female parent (Oxford word. E.g. ‘Mother’: a female parent (Oxford Dictionary, 2001)Dictionary, 2001)

Connotation: Connotation: the additional meaning of a the additional meaning of a word. E.g. ‘Mother’ may mean a close word. E.g. ‘Mother’ may mean a close companion; for some it may mean a true companion; for some it may mean a true friend; others might interpret the word as a friend; others might interpret the word as a strict disciplinarian; while others associate strict disciplinarian; while others associate the word with a woman in a convent.the word with a woman in a convent.

Private meaning Private meaning of wordsof words: : language language used in a unique way; only used in a unique way; only understood by select few.understood by select few.

Shared meaning Shared meaning of words: language of words: language used in a way that everyone used in a way that everyone understands it. There is a link understands it. There is a link between how the sender encodes a between how the sender encodes a message and how a receiver decodes message and how a receiver decodes it.it.

Language and ThoughtLanguage and Thought

Language evolved from the need people have for food, Language evolved from the need people have for food, shelter, community, water, etc. Our cultures shelter, community, water, etc. Our cultures contextualise (gives meaning to) language. Does contextualise (gives meaning to) language. Does language merely represent our thoughts, or does it language merely represent our thoughts, or does it shape our perception as well?shape our perception as well?

The Sapir-Whorf HypothesisThe Sapir-Whorf HypothesisWhat the theory is aboutWhat the theory is about: This theory claim that language : This theory claim that language

do not merely represent our thought, but also guide how do not merely represent our thought, but also guide how we think about the world around us. E.g. if we do not we think about the world around us. E.g. if we do not have a word to describe something, we think about it have a word to describe something, we think about it less (or not at all); in the English language there aren’t less (or not at all); in the English language there aren’t too many descriptions for snow, but in Iniut culture too many descriptions for snow, but in Iniut culture (living in Alaska, Geenland and coastal Canadian Arctic) (living in Alaska, Geenland and coastal Canadian Arctic) there are various different descriptions – this means, that there are various different descriptions – this means, that while the English do not contemplate and think about while the English do not contemplate and think about ‘snow’ much (except in winter), the Iniut people find ‘snow’ much (except in winter), the Iniut people find snow to be an important consideration in their culture.snow to be an important consideration in their culture.

Language Language PROBLEMS PROBLEMS (part 1)(part 1)

1.1. Abstract language – language we use that Abstract language – language we use that is too vague. E.g. Telling a friend that you is too vague. E.g. Telling a friend that you are are close close (‘close’ could be 10m to some, (‘close’ could be 10m to some, or 1km to others…)or 1km to others…)

2.2. Inferences – to make ‘guesses’ or Inferences – to make ‘guesses’ or judgements about words. E.g. people infer judgements about words. E.g. people infer that the word ‘communication’ means that the word ‘communication’ means talking to someonetalking to someone. As a communications . As a communications student, you know that this inference is student, you know that this inference is inadequate and insufficient.inadequate and insufficient.

PROBLEMS (part 2)PROBLEMS (part 2)

3. Dichotomies – when there’s two opposing 3. Dichotomies – when there’s two opposing concepts, but no middle description. E.g. If concepts, but no middle description. E.g. If you’re not tall or short…? If a man isn’t you’re not tall or short…? If a man isn’t chubby nor slim…?chubby nor slim…?

4. Euphemisms – softer, less truthful words. 4. Euphemisms – softer, less truthful words. E.g. Instead of saying: “I E.g. Instead of saying: “I hatehate baked beans”, baked beans”, saying: “I saying: “I dislikedislike baked beans”. baked beans”.

Note: In an assessment, answer a question Note: In an assessment, answer a question about the problems by referring to an about the problems by referring to an explanation, example and why the problems explanation, example and why the problems cause miscommunicationcause miscommunication

TYPES of languageTYPES of language Sexist languageSexist language

We often use language in a way that We often use language in a way that suggest women are inferior to men. E.g. suggest women are inferior to men. E.g. Referring to a police officer as a policeman Referring to a police officer as a policeman or calling a girl “sweety” or “honey”.or calling a girl “sweety” or “honey”.

Powerful vs. Powerless languagePowerful vs. Powerless languagePowerful languagePowerful language inspire confidence in inspire confidence in the speaker; it requires self-confidence. the speaker; it requires self-confidence. E.g. “I will kill for Zuma” (Julius Malema).E.g. “I will kill for Zuma” (Julius Malema).Powerless languagePowerless language creates the image creates the image that the speaker is weak and lacks self-that the speaker is weak and lacks self-assurance. E.g. “I don’t know what to say” assurance. E.g. “I don’t know what to say” or “I can’t do this”.or “I can’t do this”.

Meta-communicationMeta-communicationCommunication about communicationCommunication about communication (2 (2 marks). E.g. If you shout at your best marks). E.g. If you shout at your best friend, they might get more upset about friend, they might get more upset about howhow you speak to them, not necessarily you speak to them, not necessarily what you said.what you said.

Non-verbal (no words) CommunicationNon-verbal (no words) Communication

Remember that non-verbal communication is Remember that non-verbal communication is communicating without the use of communicating without the use of wordswords!!

There are four (4) There are four (4) CATEGORIESCATEGORIES of communication of communication::1)1) Verbal Verbal (words)/ (words)/ vocal vocal (voice; speaking) – E.g. (voice; speaking) – E.g.

Saying “Hallo” to a friend.Saying “Hallo” to a friend.2)2) VerbalVerbal/ / non-vocalnon-vocal ( (no no voice; voice; no no speaking) – E.g. speaking) – E.g.

Writing a letter to your grandmother.Writing a letter to your grandmother.3)3) Non-verbalNon-verbal (no words)/ (no words)/ vocal vocal – E.g. Clearing – E.g. Clearing

your throat to indicate your irritation at your throat to indicate your irritation at something OR ‘Psst’ to get someone’s attention.something OR ‘Psst’ to get someone’s attention.

4)4) Non-verbalNon-verbal/ / non-vocalnon-vocal – E.g. Hugging someone – E.g. Hugging someone to show your affection to that person.to show your affection to that person.

Three (3) Three (3) FUNCTIONSFUNCTIONS of non-verbal of non-verbal communicationcommunication

(1)(1) ReplaceReplace: Instead of saying “Hallo”, we : Instead of saying “Hallo”, we can wavecan wave

(2)(2) ReinforceReinforce: When telling someone that : When telling someone that we love them, we reinforce the feeling we love them, we reinforce the feeling with a kisswith a kiss

(3)(3) ContradictContradict: While denying that we : While denying that we took money from the cookie jar, we took money from the cookie jar, we blush (the blushing tells people that we blush (the blushing tells people that we are lying…thus, the non-verbal are lying…thus, the non-verbal communication contradict the verbal communication contradict the verbal denial)denial)

Six (6) Six (6) CATEGORIESCATEGORIES of Non-Verbal of Non-Verbal communicationcommunication

i.i. KinesicsKinesics

Communicating through body movement. The Communicating through body movement. The key word is ‘movement’. Facial expression key word is ‘movement’. Facial expression (movement); eye movement; body movement; (movement); eye movement; body movement; hand gestures (movement)hand gestures (movement)- Facial Expression: effortlessly convey- Facial Expression: effortlessly convey emotion (sadness, shock, concentration, etc). emotion (sadness, shock, concentration, etc).- Oculesics: Eye contact; Eye aversion.- Oculesics: Eye contact; Eye aversion. Determined by culture. Determined by culture.- Body movement: express intensity of- Body movement: express intensity of emotion. emotion.- Hand gestures: culture contextualise hand- Hand gestures: culture contextualise hand gestures. E.g. thumbs up gestures. E.g. thumbs up

ii.ii. ProxemicsProxemicsCommunicating through space.Communicating through space.

A person’s portable territory

Intimate distance

Personal distance

Social distance

Public distance

iii.iii. HapticsHaptics

We communicate through touch. E.g. Hugging We communicate through touch. E.g. Hugging

iv.iv. ChronemicsChronemics

We communicate through our reference to We communicate through our reference to time. E.g. “Hurry up, I don’t want to be time. E.g. “Hurry up, I don’t want to be late”.late”.

Cultures approach time in one of two ways, Cultures approach time in one of two ways, either:either:

Time is important (monochronic); orTime is important (monochronic); or Time is flexible (polichronic)Time is flexible (polichronic)

v.v. Physical appearancePhysical appearance

We dress, groom and take care of our We dress, groom and take care of our physical appearance, because what physical appearance, because what we look like communicates we look like communicates something about us.something about us.

vi.vi. Vocal cuesVocal cues

If a man has a deep voice, we perceive If a man has a deep voice, we perceive him as masculine. A woman with a him as masculine. A woman with a deep husky voice is perceived as deep husky voice is perceived as sensual. sensual. Paralanguage Paralanguage is the is the howhow we we say things, as well as the say things, as well as the voice voice quality quality and and vocalisationvocalisation..