(L) Week 8 Verbal Communication.pptx

FIA 3131 Interpersona l Communicati on Week 8 Verbal Communication  Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students should be able to: describe how words create meaning; identify and describe word barriers that lead to misunderstanding explain ways to use word...

FIA 3131 Interpersona l Communicati on Week 8 Verbal Communication  Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students should be able to: describe how words create meaning; identify and describe word barriers that lead to misunderstanding explain ways to use words to show support and comfort, start a conversation, apologise and be  How do Words Work??? i) Words are Symbols A symbol is a word, sound, or visual image that represents something else, such as a thought, concept, object or experience. (E.g. Cat, Sea, Friends) A referent is the thing that a symbol represents. Thought is the mental process of creating an  Figure 1 The Semantic Triangle of Meaning (Ogden & Richards, 1923)  Words are Symbols (cont.) ii) Words have Denotative and Connotative Meaning Language has layers of meaning A word’s denotative meaning conveys content, the word’s restrictive or literal definition as found in the dictionary. E.g.: School – an institution for the instruction of children; a college or a university The connotative meaning of language conveys feelings, the personal or subjective association with a  Words are Symbols (cont.) iii) Words Are Concrete and Abstract Language varies in clarity Words can be placed along a continuum from abstract to concrete. We call a word concrete if we can experience its referent with one of our senses. If we cannot experience the referent with our senses, then the word is abstract. In general, the more concrete the language, the  The Power of Words a) Words Create Perceptions Words help name and label what you experience and help you to create how you perceive the world. (eg: watched a movie. Was it good/bad) You create your self-worth largely with self-talk and the labels you apply to yourself. (what are you feeling?/how do you feel?) b) Words Influence Thoughts ‘Don’t think about a pink elephant’ Words and thought are inextricably linked; the process of hearing, c) Words Influence Actions The way we use language can communicate the amount of power we have in a conversation with others. We use language in ways that are both powerful and powerless. With powerless speech we are less persuasive and have less influence on others (umm, ahh, ehh, you know, I mean). Example 1: Take out the trash now. Example 2: Can you um… take the trash out maybe?  d) Words Affect And Reflect Culture Ling Use of language determines or influences thoughts and uisti c perceptions Det Language shapes the way we think ermi nis m Ling Each language includes some unique features that are not uisti found in other languages c Rel E.g. Manglish ativ ity Sap Based on the principles of linguistic determinism and ir- linguistic relativity Wh Language shapes our culture and culture shapes our orf hyp language oth esis e) Words Make and Break Relationships What and how you say things – have strong impact on how you relate it to others f) Clues to Our Relationships are Found in Our Word Choices Through our talk – establish relationship with other people Words influence our relationships – how we express our emotions and feelings during our conversations g) Clues to Our Relationships are Found in What We Don’t Say Use of profanity – words considered obscene, irrelevant, rude, or insensitive  has an impact on our relationships with others A euphemism – a mild or indirect word that is substitute for one that describes vulgar, profane, unpleasant, or embarrassing h) Clues to Our Relationships are Found in Our, Texts, and Social Media The words use in social media, texts, etc – provide important messages about us (which we overlook sometimes) Some people “communicate” better using online platforms rather than face-to-face communication  CONTENT Enhancing Your Verbal Skills – How To Manage Misunderstandings?  HOW TO MANAGE MISUNDERSTANDINGS? a) Be Aware Of Missed Meaning Bypassing is confusion caused by the same words meaning different things to different people E.g. “That’s So Gay!”, “That is so sick” b) Be Clear Malapropisms - confusion of one word or phrase for another that sounds similar to it. Using words out of context, using inappropriate grammar, or putting words in the wrong order affects meaning. c) Be Specific Language should be specific and concrete; vague language can cause confusion and frustration. Restricted code: set of words that have particular meaning to a person, group, or culture (in text: gr8, c u, np, l8r) Jargon: another name for restricted code; specialized terms or abbreviations whose meanings are known only to members of a specific group (business, engineering, medical, military, etc) Slang: informal words used by a community of people (bae, savage, lit, OTP) D) Be Unbiased Hate speech  abusive or threatening speech or writing that expresses prejudice against a particular group; Avoid sexist language  language that excludes either men or women when discussing a topic that is applicable to both sexes; Avoid ethnically or racially biased language. Avoid demeaning language  language barriers are created when they disparage a person’s age, mental or physical ability, or social standing.  CONTENT How to Use Words of Support And Comfort (a) Describe Your Feelings, Rather Than Evaluate Your Behavior Most of us do not like to be judged or evaluated. One way to avoid evaluating others is to eliminate the accusatory “YOU” from your language. Instead, use the word “I” to describe your own feelings and thoughts about a situation or event. In doing this you are, in essence, taking ownership of the problem. Instead of: “You disrespect me”, say: “I feel disrespected”. (b) Solve Problems Rather than Control Work through problems and issues together. Avoid asserting control by asking opening ended questions. (c) Be Genuine Rather than Manipulative To be genuine means that you honestly seek to be yourself rather than someone you are not. Honestly seek to be yourself without a hidden agenda. (d) Empathise Rather than Remain Detached Be other-oriented; understand the feelings of others, and predict their emotional responses. (e) Being Flexible Rather than Rigid Use language that allows others to express their points of view. The “I’m right, you’re wrong” attitude creates a defensive climate. (f) Present Yourself As Equal Rather than Superior Create a supportive climate by using communication that is concrete and conveys mutual respect. Avoid using abstract language or professional jargon to impress others. When communicating with someone from another culture, you may need to use an elaborated code.  CONTENT How to Have a Conversation? How to Apologise? How to be Assertive?  HOW TO HAVE A CONVERSATION? (a) Starting a Conversation Let the situation, time, location, and other person naturally guide how to start a conversation Impact of technology – use technology and media platforms (b) Sustaining a Conversation Ask open-ended questions Listen  HOW TO APOLOGISE? Apology – an explicit admission of an error with a request for forgiveness When you make a mistake, offer an apology  HOW TO BE ASSERTIVE? Be assertive, not aggressive – to ask for information, to request for help, to stand on our rights, without denying our partner’s rights Learn to assert yourself by practicing five key behaviors: a.Describe how you view the situation b.Disclose your feelings – to build up empathy c.Identify effects of the behaviour d.Be silent and wait for response e.Paraphrase content and feelings A) DESCRIBE Describe how you view the situation Your colleagues are promoted within a year, you have yet to be promoted. B) DISCLOSE Tell the other person how you feel Need to know the criteria for promotion and what you are not doing enough. C) IDENTIFY EFFECTS Identify effects of the other person’s behavior on you or others Does s/he seem to be thinking about it? Ignoring it? Upset? Responsive? D) BE SILENT Wait for a response, and monitor nonverbal cues E) PARAPHRASE Restate both the content and feelings of the message Re-phrase your content.