Verbal Communication

	The definition of “verbal communication” is imply any communication which involves words. Hence, verbal communication can be aural (through speaking), visual (through writing), or gestural (through sign language). Words themselves are only symbols for meanings or ideas. That is to say, language is symbolic. Being able to communicate verbally is critical to anyone’s success. Whether one is in business, education, ministry, government, or agriculture, the ability to communicate verbally can lead to success or it can result in failure. Like most aspects of communication, one can improve by knowing more about the processes of communication, and one can improve by acquiring the skills of communication.
	Reading: Chapter 3 of Communication in the Real World (pp.112-164)
o Opening > “Buenos Dias,” “Guten Tag,” “Konichiwa” > Words communicate. o Verbal Communication > Simple definition: “having to do with words” > Can be aural (i.e., speaking) > Can be visual (i.e., writing) > Can be gestural (i.e., signing) o Language and Meaning > What languages do you speak? - Are there differences between languages in meaning? How? - Can the same word mean different things? > Triangle of Meaning - Language is symbolic - 3 components: thing, thought, symbol · Thing = river · Thought =  idea of a river · Symbol = representation of river - Symbol can be aural or visual > Vocabulary - People choose to use certain words and choose not to use other words. - Vocabulary varies by region, but social status, by gender > Denotation and Connotation - Denotation = the inherent meaning - Connotation = secondary meanings > Rules of Language - ... how to arrange words - ... how to spell words - ... how to pronounce words - ... how and when to use words > Language Acquisition - Language is learned - Language varies according to age o Functions of Language > Expresses:  observations, thoughts, feelings, needs > Has power:  shows identity, shows credibility, controls > Is fun:  jokes, puns, word plays - “How much wood can a wood chuck chuck…” - Jokes and Puns: “Knock knock” jokes · Word jokes are often culture-specific · Knock knock joke format: Person 1: “Knock knock” (as if at a door) Person 2: “Who’s there?” (as if inside asking who wants to enter) Person 1: _______________ (as if it’s a first name) Person 2: _______________ who? Person 1: (responds to the result in a word-funny way) > Is dynamic: neologisms (new words), slang, acronyms, dialects and quasi-languages - FYI - “Google it.” = turning a company name into a verb form. - Zanglish = a real language with vocabulary and rules > Is relational: unites and separates - Speaking a certain way (or a certain language) can put distance between oneself and others (intentionally or otherwise) o Using Words Well > Clarity: A statement can be clear or it can be confusing. > Completely: A statement can full of details or incomplete. > Affectively: A statement can have feeling. > Creatively: A statement can express creativity. > Ethically: A statement can harm or heal. o Language, Society and Culture > Social norms govern language - Status, wealth and education influence language - Gender influences language. - Age influences language. > Culture governs language - Tonga culture influences language. - Bemba culture influences language. - American culture influences language. - Japanese culture influences language. > Accommodation / Code-switching - People adapt their use of language according to their situations. - People learn to switch between language styles or types in accordance with the circumstance. > Bias: Race, Gender, Age, Sexuality, Ability - Language expresses inherent biases. - Names, for example, reflect and express bias. - The term “disability” has different connotations than “differently-able” - The history of a word can suggest racial bias: “My boy, Johnny…”