Understanding Communication

Communication

• Involves an interactive process of information exchange between two or more individuals
• Includes encoding, the transmission of information from the sender, and decoding, the receiving and understanding of information by the receiver
• The goal is to exchange information correctly and quickly through various means like spoken language, writing, sign language, gestures, and lip reading

Types of Communication

• Language communication: Uses sign language, oral language, and written text
• Non-language communication: Uses actions, gestures, expressions

The Communication Process

• The sender organizes the information in their mind
• The sender's vocal organs produce sound and visual information
• The speaker monitors their spoken signals through internal feedback mechanisms
• Sound and visual information is transmitted via sound waves and light waves
• This information is made more prominent using language reception aids, such as glasses or hearing aids
• The receiver receives the communication information through the sensory system, which is converted into nerve impulses and transmitted to the brain
• The receiver integrates and interprets the information based on their experience and stored linguistic rules
• Actions from the receiver informs communicators whether the information was correctly received
• Based on receiver feedback, the sender can further transmit relevant information or retransmit the original information in other ways

Language

• Consists of an agreed-upon set of symbols used to communicate within a specific region or group
• Can be divided into spoken language (oral expression) and non-spoken language (written text, symbols, body movements)

Aspects of Language

• Form:
  • Phonology: the rules of sound and intonation combination
  • Morphology: the rules for the use of morphemes, as well as units of meaning
  • Syntax: the rules for arranging words into sentences, and grammar
• Content:
  • Semantics: the meaning of words or sentences
• Use:
  • Pragmatics: the functions of language in real-life situations

Language Aspects Details

• Phonology:
  • Sounds of language: includes phonemes (consonants and vowels)
• Morphology:
  • morphemes or units of meaning
• Syntax:
  • Rules to combine words into sentences, for example S+V+O
• Semantics:
  • Vocabulary
• Pragmatics:
  • Use of language to express intention
  • Language development in relation to conversation using conversational principles
    • Quantity
    • Quality, speaking the truth
    • Relevance, in relation to the social context
    • Manner: turn-taking

Speech

• A spoken form of language that expresses language through the vocal system
• It refers to the act of speaking, which uses the respiratory, vocal, phonetic, and resonance systems to produce speech sounds for communication

Mechanisms of Speech

• Respiration: Coordinated and controlled by the diaphragm, abdominal muscles, and intercostal muscles
• Phonation: The vocal cords produce vibrations, which is caused larynx muscle contraction in conjunction with exhaling
• Resonance: Occurs when the original sound is further assisted by air vibrations entering the pharynx and nasal cavity
• Articulation: Sound produced by the tongue, lips, jaw, teeth, etc.

The Content of Speech

• Articulation/phonology: How sounds and speech are produced
• Voice: Volume while speaking
• Fluency: Rhythm of speech

Nonverbal Communications

• Artifacts: Accessories like scarves, and hats
• Kinesics: Body posture and expressions
• Proxemics: Physical Space
• Chronemics: Studying timing in communications

Communication Disorders

• Defined by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) as an impairment in the ability to receive, send, process, or comprehend concepts or verbal, nonverbal and graphic symbol systems
• Arise when there are obstacles in receiving, transmitting, processing, or understanding language, non-language, or symbolic systems

Domains of Communication Ability

• Receiving information:
  • Understanding sounds (auditory comprehension)
  • Reading to understand written language
  • Communication via gestures and hand movements
• Expressing information:
  • Oral expression
  • Writing
  • Using gestures and hand movements
• An impairment in any of these categories may indicate the presence of a communications disorder

Communication vs Language vs Speech

• Language vs Speech -Language is a set of symbols that enable people to communciate to each other -Speech is the process of the vocal organs to formulate words through the respiratory system
  • Communication Disorders:
    • are disorders in the ability to exchange information
  • Language Disorders:
    • Are deficiencies in language and ability to speak

Professionals in the Field

• Speech-Language Pathologists
• Audiologists
• Speech, Language, and Hearing Scientists

Language Impairment

• Defined as a significant deviation or deficiency in language comprehension or expression ability. The definition is used with Special Education students
• Includes both language understanding and expression abilities

Speech Impairment Identification Standard

• A voice disorder when a person's voice characteristics deviates from age
• A speech articulation production deviation from accepted speech norms
• Abnormality in word flow cadence, rhythm, or word flow

2024 Definition of Language Disabilities

• Under the Special Education Students and Children Assessment Act, language disabilities are described as an inefficiency of verbal or written word capacity compared to peers
• Diagnoses need to consider students social environment to avoid misdiagnosis due to cultural phenomenon
• Related Professions include Educators, Psychologists, Social workers, Therapists, Medical specialists, and Engineers

Identifying Communication Barriers

• Communication Barriers can be defined on a scale from typical to severe to non-existent
• Prevalence rates: 17%, 11%, 6%
• Considerations:
  • gender
  • race
  • linguistic background
  • cultural norms
  • regional differences