Chapter 4:

Language

Communicating in the Workplace, First Edition

2010 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.
All rights reserved

Language is Important

Language has resulted in

imprisonment, death threats,
murder

What would you life be like without

language or non-verbal
communication?

Cheesebro, OConnor, Rios: Communicating in the Workplace, 1e.

2010 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.

All rights reserved

Language is Important

Be purposeful in your language

choice

Including gestures, posture, vocal

inflections, eye contact

Gestures hold different meanings

Cheesebro, OConnor, Rios: Communicating in the Workplace, 1e.

2010 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.

All rights reserved

Language Defined

Phonemes sounds of language

Syntax grammatical structure of language
Semantics meanings of words

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

Cheesebro, OConnor, Rios: Communicating in the Workplace, 1e.

2010 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.

All rights reserved

Principles of Verbal
Communication

All languages have value

Everyone speak a dialect
Words dont 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

Cheesebro, OConnor, Rios: Communicating in the Workplace, 1e.

2010 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.

All rights reserved

Guidelines for Effective

Verbal Communication

Be Willing to Share

Establishing trust, minimizing misunderstandings,

encouraging openness

Use Specific Language

Just because the idea is clear to you

Potential for misunderstanding increases when you
use general instead of specific language

Cheesebro, OConnor, Rios: Communicating in the Workplace, 1e.

2010 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.

All rights reserved

Nonverbal Communication
Defined

Nonverbal communication all types of

communication that doesnt use words

Cultural differences exist for nonverbal

communication

Nonverbal communication influences

the believability of your message

Cheesebro, OConnor, Rios: Communicating in the Workplace, 1e.

2010 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.

All rights reserved

Principles of
Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication is present

everywhere/is the bulk of your
messages

Nonverbals can be all you need

People do very little to learn about

nonverbal communication

Cheesebro, OConnor, Rios: Communicating in the Workplace, 1e.

2010 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.

All rights reserved

Principles of
Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal messages are sent in advance of

verbal messages

Most nonverbal messages are about

identities, emotions and/or relationships

Even if the message is unintended

Remember, the first 45 seconds of an interview

Dress, hair, body dcor, distance

Nonverbal communication is culture-bound

Cheesebro, OConnor, Rios: Communicating in the Workplace, 1e.

2010 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.

All rights reserved

Types of
Nonverbal Communication

Chronemics use of time

Killing time, saving time, etc.

Individuals have a personal sense of timing

Proxemics use of space/distance

Intimate messages: 18 inches

Personal messages: 18 inches to 4 feet
Social messages: 4 to 12 feet
Public messages: 12+ feet
Other groups maintain shorter distance than U.S.

Cheesebro, OConnor, Rios: Communicating in the Workplace, 1e.

2010 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.

All rights reserved

Types of
Nonverbal Communication

Oculesics eye contact

Kinesics gestures and facial expressions

Americans typically prefer soft eye contact

Asian cultures typically prefer very little eye
contact

Posture, hand gestures

Haptics touch

Hug, pat on the back, slap on the face

Cheesebro, OConnor, Rios: Communicating in the Workplace, 1e.

2010 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.

All rights reserved

Types of
Nonverbal Communication

Vocalics vocal variations

Rate, pitch, tone, quality, volume

Personal style

Body hair, odor, decorations, shape

Clothing, artifacts

Cheesebro, OConnor, Rios: Communicating in the Workplace, 1e.

2010 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.

All rights reserved

Guidelines for Effective

Nonverbal Communication

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

Cheesebro, OConnor, Rios: Communicating in the Workplace, 1e.

2010 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.

All rights reserved

Language and Technology

Receivers cant observe important

elements

Tone of voice
Facial expression
Body posture

New language has emerged with email,

IMs

Cheesebro, OConnor, Rios: Communicating in the Workplace, 1e.

2010 Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.

All rights reserved