Oral Communication in Context Handout PDF

**ORAL COMMUNICATION IN CONTEXT** Lesson 1 The Process of Communication ===================================== Communication: a process **[that involves the exchange and the development of ideas to achieve a particular goal or purpose]**. The experience of communication -- that is, **the [delivery,...

**ORAL COMMUNICATION IN CONTEXT** Lesson 1 The Process of Communication ===================================== Communication: a process **[that involves the exchange and the development of ideas to achieve a particular goal or purpose]**. The experience of communication -- that is, **the [delivery, processing, and reciprocation of messages]** -- distinguishes humans as the most intelligent beings on Earth. Scholars trace the English term "communication" to the Latin term *communicare*, which means "to share" or "to be in relation with." This suggests that communication is an act that brings people together, or an experience shared by individuals who subsequently **[establish relationships and communities.]** Other experts highlight the Latin noun *communicatio*, which means "sharing" or "imparting." From this perspective, communication involves an exchange or transaction of goods. Therefore, from an etymological standpoint, communication may be understood as both a common experience and a product transaction. The Communication Process ========================= Several models of communication have been formulated by scholars through the years. In essence though, communication may be understood as a process that involves these five basic elements. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. **Communication process model:** Example Daphne loves Rico, her suitor, as a friend. Rico hears what Daphne says. He tries to analyze what she means based on the content and their relationship, and he is heartbroken. He frowns and does not say something, because he is in pain. Lesson 2: Verbal and Nonverbal Communication ============================================ Verbal Communication: We employ sounds and language to deliver our message. It also refers to an interaction in which words are used to relay a message. For effective and successful communication, use words to express ideas which can be easily understood by the person you are talking to. Consider appropriateness, brevity, clarity, ethics, and vividness when engaging in this type of communication. 1. **Appropriateness**: This language that you use should **be appropriate to the environment or occasion** (i.e., whether formal or informal.) 2. **Brevity**: Speakers who often **use simple yet precise and powerful words** are found to more credible. 3. **Clarity**: The meaning of word, feelings, **or ideas may be interpreted differently by a listener; hence it is essential for you to clearly state your message** and express your ideas and feelings. 4. **Ethics**: Words should be carefully chosen in consideration of the gender, roles, ethnicity, **preferences, and status of the person or people you are talking to**. 5. **Vividness**: Words that vividly **or creatively describe things or feelings usually add color and spice in communication.** Skills for effective verbal communication ========================================= 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Nonverbal Communication Strategies: We employ communication strategies other than the spoken word. Nonverbal communication strategies ================================== 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. FUNCTIONS OF COMMUNICATION ========================== Basically, there are five functions of communication. - - - - - FEATURES OF AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION ====================================== In their pioneer book Effective Public Relations, Professors Broom, Cutlip, and Center (2012) list the 7 Cs of Effective Communication. This list is widely used today, especially in public relations advertising. 1. **Completeness** -- complete communication is essential to the quality of the communication process in general. 2. **Conciseness** -- it does not mean keeping the message short, but [making it direct or straight to the point]. Example: eliminate insignificant or redundant information. 3. **Consideration** -- to be effective, the speaker should always [consider relevant information about his/her receiver such as mood, background, race, preference, education, status, and needs.] This will help build rapport. 4. **Concreteness** -- effective communication happens when the message [is concrete and supported by facts, figures, and real-life examples]. 5. **Courtesy** -- showing courtesy in communication like [respecting culture, values, and beliefs of his/her receivers. ] 6. **Clearness** -- clearness in communication implies the use of [simple and specific words. ] 7. **Correctness** -- [correctness in grammar eliminates negative impact on the audience and increases credibility and effectiveness] of the message. BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION ========================= There are instances when miscommunication and misunderstanding occur because of certain barriers. To become an effective communicator, you should recognize these barriers that hinder the communication process. This will enable you to control the situation, reset conditions, and start anew. The table below presents some barriers to effective communication with corresponding solutions. +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Barriers** | | | +=======================+=======================+=======================+ | **Emotional barrier** | | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | | | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Use of** | | | | | | | | **jargon** | | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Lack of** | | | | | | | | **confidence** | | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ | **Noisy environment** | | | +-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+ **LESSON 3** INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION =========================== This happens when individuals interact, negotiate, and create meanings while bringing in their varied cultural backgrounds (Ting-Toome, 1999). COMMUNICATION MODELS ====================  **Figure 1. Aristotle Model** 1. ARISTOTLE'S MODEL ==================== According to this model, the speaker plays a key role in communication. He/She is the one who takes complete charge of the communication. The sender first prepares a content which he does by carefully putting his thoughts in words with an objective of influencing the listeners or the recipients, who would then respond in the sender's desired way. The model says that the **speaker communicates in such a way that the listeners get influenced and respond accordingly. The speaker must be very careful about his selection of words and content in this model of communication.** He/She should understand his target audience and then prepare his speech. Examples: **Figure 2. Shannon-Weaver Model (1949)** 2. Shannon-Weaver Model (1949) ============================== Known as the mother of all communication models, this model from 1949 depicts communication as linear or one-way process consisting of five elements: a source (producer of message); a transmitter (encoder of message into signals); a channel (signals adapted for transmission; a receiver (decoder of the message into signals); and a destination. This model, however, has been criticized for missing one essential element in the communication process: **feedback. Without which, the speaker will not know whether the receiver understood the message or not.** Example: **figure 3. Berlo's Model** 3. BERLO'S MODEL ================ While the Aristotle model of communication puts the speaker in the central position and suggests that the speaker is the one who drives the entire communication, the Berlo's model of communication **takes into account the emotional aspect of the message.** Berlo's model of communication operates on the SMCR model. In the SMCR model S - Stands for Source M - Message C - Channel R -- Receiver S - Source ========== The source in other words also called the sender is the one from whom the thought originates. He is the one who transfers the information to the receiver after carefully putting his thoughts into words. How does the source or the sender transfer his information to the recipient? It is done with the help of communication skills, Attitude, Knowledge, Social System and Culture. - - - - - M - Message =========== When an individual converts his thoughts into words, a message is created. The process is also called as Encoding. Any message further comprises of the following elements: - - - - - C - Channel =========== Channel - Channel actually refers to the medium how the information flows from the sender to the receiver. How does one know what the other person is speaking? - **Through Hearing.** How does one know whether the pasta he has ordered is made in white sauce or not? - **Through Tasting.** How does one know that there is a diversion ahead or it's a no parking zone? - **Through Seeing.** How will an individual come to know that the food is fresh or stale? How do we find out the fragrance of a perfume? - **Through Smelling.** How will you find out whether the milk is hot or not? - **Through Touching.** All the five senses are the channels which help human beings to communicate with each other. R - Receiver ============ When the message reaches the receiver, he tries to understand what the listener actually wants to convey and then responds accordingly. This is also called as decoding. There are several loopholes in the Berlo's model of communication. According to the Berlo's model of communication, the speaker and the listener must be on a common ground for smooth conversion which is sometimes not practical in the real scenario. **figure 4. Schramm Model (1954)** 4. Schramm Model ================ Schramm model (1954) modified the Shannon and Weaver model. Whereas the later is rooted in information theory and engineering, focusing on the technical aspects of information transmission, while Schramm\'s model adopts a **more humanistic and interpersonal perspective,** emphasizing the role of context, individual interpretation, and social dynamics in communication. When the information reaches the recipient his prime responsibility is to understand what the speaker intends to convey. Unless and until the second party is able to understand or decode the information what the sender wants to communicate, the message is actually of no use. Thus, encoding and decoding are two most important factors of an effective communication without which information can never flow between two individuals. To conclude, according to this model of communication when a sender passes on the information to the receiver, the receiver must interpret it in the desired form the sender wants and give him the feedback or respond accordingly. Any communication where the sender does not get the feedback, the communication is not complete and thus ineffective. REFERENCES ========== Redoblado, et al. (2016). Exploring Literature and Grammar. Oral Communication in Context. Pages 2-20 Sipacio, et al. (n.d) Oral communication in context. Pg 4-14