Chapter 4 Language Verbal Non Verbal Communication Language

Chapter 4: Language, Verbal & Non Verbal Communication

Language is Important l Language has resulted in imprisonment, death threats, murder l What would you life be like without language or non-verbal communication?

Language is Important l Be purposeful in your language choice l Including gestures, posture, vocal inflections, eye contact l Gestures hold different meanings

Language Defined l l l Phonemes – sounds of language Syntax – grammatical structure of language Semantics – meanings of words – – l Denotative – object word refers to Connotative – emotional meaning of word Contextual meaning – word meaning shaped by places and people Figurative language – “raining cats and dogs” Pragmatics – appropriateness of your language for setting/relationship

Principles of Verbal Communication l l l All languages have value Everyone speak a dialect Words don’t mean the same thing to all people Recognize variations in how spoken language is used across cultures Follow suggestions for effective verbal communication to achieve “shared understanding”

Guidelines for Effective Verbal Communication l Be Willing to Share – Establishing trust, minimizing understanding, encouraging openness l Use Specific Language – Just because the idea is clear to you… – Potential for misunderstanding increases when you use general instead of specific language

Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace What do the nonverbal behaviors in each of these pictures indicate about the situation? How can you know what might be occurring when there are not any words being spoken?

The Significance of Nonverbal Communication l It conveys meaning – l Anywhere from 65 -93% of the meaning of a message lies in the nonverbal aspect It reflects the unspoken – Nonverbal behaviors can “leak” true feelings

Functions and Rules of Nonverbal Communication The functions: – – Complement Contradict Regulate Substitute The rules: – Do you know the rules? How do you know them?

Proxemics – the study of the use of space to communicate l l Personal space – Intimate – 0 to 18 inches – Personal – 18 inches to 4 feet – Social – 4 to 12 feet – Public – 12 feet and beyond Semi-fixed space – How movable objects are arranged in a space – An object’s size, type, expense, etc can all send messages

Proxemics How might seating arrangements play a part in each of these pictures? What can you tell about each of these situations and the people from the nonverbal messages?

Kinesics – the study of body movement l Gesture types: – – l Posture reveals: – – l Emblems and illustrators Regulators and adaptors Relationships and status Gender differences and emotional state Facial expression characterized by: – Culture, gender, and age

Kinesics What might kinesics reveal about this picture?

Oculesics – the study of eye behavior Eye movement – – – Influenced by culture, gender, and age Conveys interest Regulates conversation Establishes credibility Americans typically prefer “soft” eye contact Asian cultures typically prefer very little eye contact

Haptics – the study of touch as used to communicate l What are the touch norms at your university or college? l How do you express emotions through touch? – Hug, pat on the back, slap on the face

How is touch used in a business and professional context?

Vocalics – the study of the use of the voice to convey meaning l Regulates conversation – – l Vocal cues Turn taking Helps interpret oral communication – – – Volume Pitch Rate

Chronemics – the study of time usage in communication l l l How we regulate interactions How we treat others – “wait time” How we prioritize

Objectics – the study of how objects influence communication What might clothes communicate about these people?

Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace Remember: Actions sell louder than words!

Nonverbal Communication in Business l Important nonverbal behaviors in business context: – Shaking hands – Eye contact and smiling – Removing desks and tables as barriers – Using the voice effectively – Matching time orientations – Nodding your head – Avoiding nervous gestures – Stop talking and listen – Pacing toward “low and slow”

Guidelines for Effective Nonverbal Communication l l l You cannot read people “like a book” Consider your nonverbal messages Recognize the impact status and power have Observe nonverbal messages in clusters Be cautious when generalizing the meaning of nonverbal cues

Language and Technology l Receivers can’t observe important elements – Tone of voice – Facial expression – Body posture l New language has emerged with email, IMs