Understanding Language Misunderstandings

Misunderstandings in Language

• Confusing Facts and Opinions- Facts are provable, observable, and measurable. Opinions are personal beliefs or judgments not based on proof.
• Example: Deciding blue is the best color is an accepted truth but still an opinion.
• Confusing Facts and Inferences - Facts are provable, observable, and measurable, Inferences are mental judgments based on observations.
• Example: You did not see rain, but infer it rained because of observations.
• Emotive Language - Emotive language evokes an emotional response.
• Example: Words like "blissful", "adored", and "unbeatable" are emotive.
• Evasive Language - Evasive Language avoids direct statements.
• Example: "Extrajudicial Killing" instead of "Assassination", "Collateral Damage" instead of "Fatalities"

Global Business

• Global business refers to international trade and is a company operating in many countries.
• Global business is different from international business, which sells products worldwide but only has facilities in its home country.
• Global business benefits from access to more customers leading to increased revenue and profit.
• Higher sales volumes can also reduce costs.

Achieving Communication Competence

• Adaptability and Flexibility - Being able to change behaviors and goals to meet the needs of the interaction.
• Appropriateness - Being able to determine what responses are appropriate in a given situation.
• Communication Skills - Articulation, grammar, cohesiveness, clarity, and tone.
• Conversation Management - Regulating interactions, managing the flow of topics, and maintaining smooth interactions.
• Empathy - Understanding and sharing emotional reactions to situations.
• Self-Monitoring - Paying attention to one's behavior and using it to instruct oneself on how to behave.

Effective Communication Utilizing Channels

• Channels are the means by which messages are conveyed.
• Channels can be one-way, two-way, multidirectional, technologically mediated, synchronous, asynchronous, individual, group, hard copy, electronic, permanent, transient, formal, informal, lean, or rich.
• Traditional communication channels include focus groups, instant messaging, and ombudsmen.
• Informal communication channels include informal meetings and the grapevine.
• Appropriateness involves matching a channel to the message and the target audience.

Business Communication Handouts

Session 1

• Communication is like the human body: It has many systems, voluntary and involuntary actions, and is susceptible to system failure.
• Language is a system of symbols, words, and/or gestures used to communicate meaning.
• Language Shapes Attitudes
• Power and Affiliation - Language reflects power dynamics within social groups.
• Attraction and Interest - Language influences attraction and interest in individuals.
• Responsibility - Language helps define and place responsibilities within groups.
• Impression Management
• Managing others' view of oneself.
• Issues of honesty and dishonesty.
• Choices of faces and impressions.
• Choice of words and tone.
• Misunderstandings In Language
• Equivocal Words - Words with two or more meanings that are homophones or homonyms.
  -Example: "bright" (adjective) and "bright" (noun)
• Relative Words - Nonspecific descriptive words that only have meaning in relation to something else.
  • Example: "the book that won"
• Stangs and Jargons - Slang is informal colloquial language. Jargon refers to specific words or expressions used by a particular profession or activity.
• Overly Abstract Language - Abstract language is used to discuss ideas, leaving the meaning open to interpretation.

This quiz explores common misunderstandings in language, focusing on the distinction between facts, opinions, and inferences. It also delves into the impact of emotive and evasive language in communication. Test your understanding of these concepts and enhance your language skills.