Understanding Language: Characteristics & Communication

• Language is a structured system of communication, a method involving human languages, and conveys ideas to enable interaction.

Core characteristics of Language

• Language is innate, a social phenomenon, and a unique human characteristic.
• Non-verbal communication includes: Proxemics focusing on nearness, Haptics that refers to touch, Olfactics which deals with smell, Chronemics which involves time, Kinesics which is body language, Vocalics focusing on voice quality, and Physical Environment for self adornment.
• Language is systematic, functioning as a highly organized system by using words and symbols, following linguistic conventions.
• It is arbitrary, meaning word context dictates word interpretation.
• Governed by rules, requiring a definite word arrangement.
• Language is a socially learned behavior, vital for communication, allowing thoughts to be shared.
• Language potentially distinguishes humans.

English Language Use

• English is an international common language and useful for traveling, academia, and international business.
• Access to written media is offered due to the wide usage of English.
• Bias-free language avoids implying male superiority.
• Gender-neutral or inclusive terms for biased terms promote equality in language.
• Mankind becomes humanity, people, or human beings.
• Manpower is now human resources or staff.
• Manmade becomes artificial.
• Chairman changes to chair or director.
• Policeman is now police officer.
• Salesgirl is sales assistant.
• Spokesman is now spokesperson.
• Founding Fathers are called founders.
• Steward/Air Hostess has changed to flight attendant or cabin crew.
• Poetess/Actress/Usherette are now poet, actor, or usher.

Circles of English

• The 'Expanding Circle' does not prioritize learning English (e.g., China, Egypt, and Russia).
• The 'Outer Circle' uses English as a second language (e.g., Hong Kong, India, and Nigeria).
• The 'Inner Circle' speaks English as their primary language (e.g., USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand).

Communication Elements

• There are 8 key elements to communication
• The source initiates communication.
• The message relays information.
• The channel conveys messages verbally or non-verbally.
• The receiver is the message recipient.
• Feedback confirms understanding.
• The environment sets the communication scene.
• The context is the interlocutors' background.
• Interference disrupts communication.

Communication Models

• Aristotle's Model has: Speaker → Speech → Audience → Effect.
• Shannon-Weaver Model showcases: Sender → Encoder → Channel → Decoder → Receiver → Feedback.
• Osgood-Schramm Model includes encoder, interpreter, and decoder in bidirectional messaging.
• Roman Jakobson Model: Addresser → Addressee, focusing on context, message, code, and contact.

Communication Basics

• Communication conveys ideas, allows interaction, and builds connections.
• Verbal communication uses spoken or written words.
• Non-verbal communication consists of body language.

Non-Verbal Communication

• Kinesics is the study of body movements.
• Haptics conveys communication via touch, ranging from functional to intimate.
• Vocalics studies paralanguage such as pitch, volume, and rate.
• Proxemics focuses on space and distance effects.
• Chronemics studies the impact of time.
• Personal presentation and environment includes physical traits and artifacts influencing communication.

Language Registers

• Register relates to language formality based on context, either spoken or written.
• Speech is formal or informal.
• Formal speech is proper, while informal speech is casual.

The Five Language Registers

• Frozen
• Formal
• Consultative
• Casual
• Intimate

High and Low Registers

• High register is formal, common in academia and law.
• The low register is informal, in regional dialects;casual conversations.

Language Registers Explained

• Frozen register is unchanging language, as in the Lord's Prayer.
• Formal register is for work or school, uses full sentences and extensive vocabulary.
• Consultative register uses formal conversation in law, medicine, government, or education.
• Casual register is for friends/family, uses simpler vocabularies, partial sentences, and gestures.
• Intimate register is for loved ones, but if misused, could be deemed harassment.