Communication in the 21st Century

Communication in the 21st Century

• Chapter introduces communication concepts from Ancient Greeks to the 21st century.
• It highlights communication as a skill to be developed for better citizenship.
• Explores English usage globally and in the Philippines.
• Addresses perils of language, including racism, sexism, and classism, advocating for academic and inclusive language.

Communication Models

• Communication is a complex process, not always resulting in mutual understanding.
• Communication breakdowns can cause global issues, while effective communication fosters peace and change.
• Proper communication involves organized thoughts, emotional control, and articulate expression.
• James Berlin (1982) states communication is not merely a technical skill, but a way of experiencing and ordering the world.
• Effective communication skills are essential for personal success, leadership, teamwork, and vision creation.
• Communication skills help in analyzing, critiquing, and negotiating with the world.

Aristotle's Model

• Communication models illustrate the main components of a communication structure or process.
• Aristotle's model (around 5 B.C.) emphasizes adjusting messages to the audience and occasion for a specific effect.
• US President Franklin Roosevelt's speech after Pearl Harbor is a modern example.
• Speaker was Franklin Roosevelt; Speech was strong and crisp; Occasion was the Pearl Harbor attack response; Audience was the US Congress; Effect was the declaration of war on Japan.

Shannon-Weaver Model

• Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver created the Shannon-Weaver Model.
• This model is often called the "Telephone Model" and was developed due to telephone technology.
• Sender is the person giving the message.
• Encoder is the transmitter converting the message into signals (e.g., a cellphone).
• Decoder is the reception place of the signal converting signals into a message.
• Receiver is the destination of the message.
• "Noise" interferes with the message, prompting feedback.
• Channel is the medium through which messages transfer (e.g., cables for telephones, radio frequencies for cellphones).
• The model illustrates how messages get lost due to noise, emphasizing feedback for successful communication.

Osgood-Schramm Model

• Schramm's communication model builds on Osgood's theories, known as the Osgood-Schramm model.
• There are two primary models involved

White's Stages of Oral Communication

• Eugene White's model is circular, representing oral communication as continuous with no definitive start or end.
• The concept of feedback is the most important contribution.
• Feedback is processed when the speaker monitors the audience.
• Speakers need to monitor listener verbal and non-verbal cues.
• Communication isn't simple, it starts with the speaker and ends with the listener.
• Many factors must be considered during communication, including the message's organization and experience.
• Best communication involves feedback.
• Different kinds of "noise" can impact message reception.
• Need to consider cultural differences, technology and interpenetration.
• Good communicators pay attention to the audience and adjust accordingly.

Communication Ethics

• Communication should be guided by ethical principles.
• The US National Communication Association (NCA, 1999) states that ethical communication is fundamental and enhances human worth, dignity, truthfulness, fairness, responsibility, personal integrity, and respect.
• Ethical principles include truthfulness, accuracy, honesty, and reason (NCA, 1999).
• There's a need for truth, especially with black propaganda and whitewashing in social media.
• Important to be accurate with facts.
• Important to be reasonable, rather than emotional.
• The NCA endorses freedom of expression, diversity, and tolerance for responsible decision-making.
• A vibrant democracy must be able to tolerate different perspectives.
• People need to feel safe to express their opinions.
• Expressions should be debated, rather than outright violence.
• The NCA condemns degrading communication through distortion, intimidation, coercion, and violence.
• Condemnation safeguards society from racism, sexism, violence, and intolerance.
• Communicators take responsibility for short and long-term communication consequences.
• In communicating, consider the consequences of actions.
• Being responsible with communication leads to less conflict.
• These principles help in ethical communication.

Communication and Globalization

• This chapter focuses on globalization's implications on communication.
• You will gain awareness of English as a global language, World Englishes, standard forms in writing, and cultural sensitivity.
• Globalization has made airfare affordable and increased international travel.
• Many Filipinos have decided to work or live abroad.
• Free trade has lead to multinational companies and foreign investments.
• It is important to be aware of cultural differences.
• Being able to communicate internationally has becoming increasingly easier with technological advancements.
• Because of this, one must know the difference between the different kinds of Englishes.

World Englishes

• "World Englishes" are English language variations used globally (e.g., American, British, Australian, Canadian, Indian English).
• British and American English are the most known varieties.
• English was "transported" via settlers or conquest.
• English is an official language, instruction medium, or language of law/government in those countries.
• English is studied as a foreign language in some countries, learned for career reasons in international business.
• World Englishes are equal in functionality, but differ in prestige.
• Writing should follow the standard variety of one's country with considerations punctuation, expressions, and grammar.
• Regionalisms, vulgarisms, slang, and other unorthodox constrictions are not included in standard English.
• Writers should avoid local idioms and use words that everyone can understand.
• In summary, use what kind of English you want for informal contexts.
• In formal writing you should identify components that may not be understood by others and use alternatives.

Culturally Sensitive and Bias-Free Language

• Important to practice cultural sensitivity.
• It is important to be aware of cultural sensitivity.
• Do not assigned negative/positive values to cultures.
• Academic writing needs to be bias-free.
• Writers should use phrases/words to avoid discriminating groups.
• Communicate in way to be respectful of others.

Race and Ethnicity

• Do not discriminate.
• It is best to avoid identifying people.
• Tread carefully and refer to race only when what you are saying is relevant.
• Do not reinfroce the stereotypes that imply that people of a certain culture are the same.
• Use current terminology by which ethnic groups use.
• "Refer to a group by a term it prefers".
• Be sensitive to religion on various ethnic groups.
• Don't make assumptions and stereotype.

Gender and Sexuality

• Sexism is based on prejudice.
• Be inclusive using gender-neutral words.
• Use neutral words over job titles/descriptions.
• Use "flight attendant" instead of "stewardess".
• Avoid sexist terms by simply saying "lawyer".
• Do not be gender-biased when using pronouns or restate the sentence.
• Be sensitive about new attitudes about orientations.

Social Class

• Classism is discrimination based on social class.
• "Conyo" / "jologs" are deragotry terms.
• A more sensitive vocabulary will portray the class structure better.

Ageism

• Ageism is assuming older people are not able physically.
• Don't underestimate the youth.
• Only refer to someones age when necessary.
• For the APA, writers should be specific when calling males and females in terms of age; Females over 18 are women, not girls.

Disabilities

• Don't discriminate do lack to lack of understanding.
• It is important to distinguish what terms are synonymous.
• Impairment is a physiological condition
• Disability is the consequence of an impairment.
• Handicap is the social implication of a disability.
• People who limp need to have access to elevators.
• Reseach the definitions and what they really mean.
• Focus should be on the person not the conditon.
• Avoid hurtful expressions and use; people with mental retardation."
• Note the difference between saying disability first and person first.

Public Speaking in the Information Age

• You need to report on communicating and report things.
• It is important to know a short history of public speaking.
• Being able to know the ways of traditions will help.

Public Speaking

• Do not dismiss the importance of public speaking.
• Great speeches move people.
• It can get people elected/create new movements.
• The greeks thought is was such a powerful skill.
• It is an important skill but few master.
• It is more significant in contemporary.
• What you say can live forever on the internet.
• Public speaking is public utterance.

TED Talks and Critical/Creative Thinking

• People all over the world share their knowledge and reports through things like YouTube and TEDTalks.
• Public speaking has gone more important with passing of time.
• Mikey Bustos is a great public speaker on YouTube.

TED Talks: Walking the Talk

• People with skills in public speaking get more attention, even with great ideas.
• Those with great ideas need communication skills.
• Content needs to be king, not the skill of speaking.
• It should be worth sharing.
• TED Talk slogan: "Ideas Worth Sharing".
• The opposite should takes place; speakers should show emotion.
• It makes listeners more accessible.
• Use personal stories.
• Slow down so people understand.