Verbal Communication 1

Cascante. Miclat. Samson. Siena

What is Language?
Language is the body of words and
the systems for their use in
communicating that are common to
the people of the same community or
nation, the same geographical area, or
the same cultural tradition (language
community) (Verderber & Verderber,
2011).
What is Verbal Communication?
Verbal
communication
then
involves using speech to exchange
information with others. (Butterfield,
2009)
Purpose of Verbal Language

We use language to designate,

label, define, and limit
to evaluate
to discuss things outside our
immediate experience
to talk about language

Verbal Language and Meaning

Relationship of language and
meaning:
Word meanings change over
time and vary across subgroups
in a language community
The use of language is a
creative act
How words work:

Words may be concrete or

abstract.

Concrete
words refer to
objects or
events that are
available to the
senses.
(e.g. laughing,
book, scent)

(e.g, love,
hate,sexism)

Words may have denotative

and connotative meanings.

Denotation is
the direct,
explicit meaning
people have
agreed to give
to a word;
dictionary
meaning

Abstract words
refer to ideas or
concepts that
have no physical
referents.

Connotation
refers to the
significant
feelings or
evaluations
associated with
the primary
definition of the
word

Words have context and are

culture-bound.

4 dimensions of cultural
difference:
Individualistic Vs. Collectivistic
Cultures
Individual
Cultures
practice lowcontext
communication
wherein
information is
embedded in the
message; direct
communication

Collectivistic
Cultures
practice highcontext
communication
wherein

Uncertainty Avoidance
Low
Uncertainty
Avoidance

High
Uncertainty
Avoidance

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Cascante. Miclat. Samson. Siena
Cultures accept
uncertainty;
tolerant of
differing
behaviors and
opinions

Cultures place
more emphasis
on providing
security and
reducing risk

Masculinity Vs. Femininity

Masculine
cultures require
people to
maintain rigid
sex roles
(Hofstede, 1983).

Feminine
cultures allow
both men and
women to take
different roles.

Power Distance
High powerdistance
culture are
cultures in which
people have high
regard for
authority,
emphasizing
titles, rank, and
status.

Low powerdistance
culture are
cultures in which
inequalities are
played down.
Individuals dont
fear nor are in
awe of authority.

Gender differences in verbal

language
Women tend to use both more
intensifiers and more hedges
than men

Women ask more questions

more frequently than men.

Power of Spoken Words

Create Perceptions
Influence thoughts and actions
Make and break relationships
Affect and reflect cultures
Word Barriers
Something that keeps meaning from
meeting -Ruel Howe

Bypassing (One Word, Two Thoughts)

when the same words mean
different things to different
people
Bafflegab (High-Falutin' Use of Words)
Focused on impressing the
receiver rather than on
conveying meaning
Lack of Precision (Uncertain Meaning)
Malapropism- confusion of one
word or phrase for another that
sounds similar to it
Restricted code- Using words
that have meaning to a person,
group, or culture; jargon
Allness (The Language of
Generalization)
Tendency to use language to
make unqualified, often untrue
generalizations.
Static Evaluation (The Language of
Rigidity)
Pronouncing judgment on
something without taking
changes into consideration
The map is not the territory
Polarization (The Language of
Extremes)
Describing and evaluating what
you observe in terms of
extremes
Biased Language (Insensitivity Toward
Others)
using words that reflect your
biases toward other cultures,
ethnic groups, gender, sexual
orientation, or people who are
simply different from you
a. Sexist Language

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Cascante. Miclat. Samson. Siena

Nonsexist language
reflects nonsexist
attitudes.
Using nonsexist language
will help you become
more other-oriented.
Nonsexist language will
make your speech more
contemporary and
unambiguous.
Nonsexist language will
empower others.
b. Ethnic/Racially Biased Language
c. Language that Demeans Ones
Age, Ability, or Social Class

apologize immediately after the

mistake
Words of Assertion
Use words to generally pursue
ones best interest without
denying the partners right
Assertive vs. Aggressive
Behaving Assertively

Describe

Disclose

Identify Effects

Be Silent

Paraphrase
Confirming Vs. Disconfirming
responses

Words of Support
Supportive
Communication

Defensive
Communicatio
n

Descriptive

Evaluative

Problem Oriented

Controlling

Spontaneously
Genuine

Strategically
Manipulative

Empathic

Neutrally
Detached

Flexible

Certain and Rigid

Equal

Superior

Words of Apology
can mend a relational rift
According to Meyer and
Rotherberg, the seriousness of
the offense and the quality of
the relationship affect the kind
of apology
Effective Apology
Acknowledge error and assume
responsibility
According to the study
conducted by Frantz and
Bennigson, it is not best to

Confirming response- statement

that causes others to value
themselves more

Direct Acknowledgementrespond directly to something

Agreement About Judgmentsconfirm someones evaluation
of something
Supportive Response- express
reassurance and understanding
Clarifying Response- seek
greater understanding of
another persons message
Expression of Positive Feelingagrees with our expression of
joy or excitement
Compliment- tell people you like
what they have done or said,
what they are wearing, or how
they look

Disconfirming response- statement

that causes others to value
themselves less

Impervious Response- fails to

acknowledge your statement or
attempt to communicate

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Cascante. Miclat. Samson. Siena

Interrupting Response- when

people interrupt you
Irrelevant Response- one that
has nothing at all to do with
what you were saying
Tangential Responseacknowledges you, but only
minimally related
Impersonal Responseintellectualizes and uses the
third person
Incoherent Response- mumbles,
rambles, or makes some
unintelligible effort to respond
Incongruous Responseinconsistent with nonverbal
behavior

How to develop verbal

communication skills

Speak appropriately by
adapting to the situation and
the listeners knowledge base.
Avoid language that alienates.
Increase message clarity
(specificity, concreteness,
precism)
Minimize inappropriate
language by avoiding jargon,
profanity, exclusionary usages
(such as generic he and man)
and nonparallel usages (such as
marking and unnecessary
association)