Verbal v. Nonverbal Language

Verbal v. Nonverbal Language

Messages …are ideas and feelings people send or receive when they communicate

Messages can be sent using to forms of communication: VERBAL….a system of written and spoken words NONVERBAL….communication without words

NonVerbal Communication has 4 purposes… To complement verbal language To emphasize verbal language To replace verbal language To contradict verbal language Can you think of an example of each of these??

Verbal Communication has 5 important features… • Language is a SYSTEM A system is a group of elements that work together A language has 3 subsystems… • Sounds • Words • Arrangement of sounds and words

Language is symbolic For example… The word car stands for something you can drive…but the word isn’t driveable!!

Language is conventional Conventional means “accepted by a large number of people” Can you think of words that have become part of our language because they have simply been accepted by a large group of people??

Language is Learned Children in a culture learn a language in many steps. Can you think of some? • Language Changes As a culture changes, so too does its language Remember the concept of generalization Can you think of words we no longer use?

Verbal Language is made up of words with 2 different meanings… • Denotation Is a word’s dictionary meaning The sun=a body of light floating in space • Connotation Is a word’s hidden meaning The sun=happiness What about the word dog? Good communicators choose words that lead to certain connotations

Adapting Language to Specific Situations Things to keep in mind…………………..

Standard American English (SAE) • JargonSpecialized vocab understood by people in a particular group or field • SlangRecently coined words or old words used in a new way • DialectRegional or cultural variety of language differing from SAE in pronunciation, grammar or word choice

Assignment Take the paragraph on the next slide and rewrite it four times…. • The first as it is right here on the screen • The second by inserting jargon • The third by inserting slang • The fourth by attempting to write in a differing • dialect

Hello! How are you today? It’s very good to meet you. You are dressed very nicely this morning. Your hair also looks very pretty. You must be going to a get-together once you leave your place of employment. It’s very fortunate you have a nice-looking and reliable vehicle to get you there. By the way, would you mind if I rode with you? My family and my friends have told me they will not give me a ride, and I am very upset. But I do not want to miss the get-together. Thank you for helping me. You are very kind. Have a good day.

Non Verbal Language People often do a perception check when nonverbal language has been used, but the message is unclear. Can you think of a time when a person’s body language was confusing, and you had to clarify? Do share!!!

Body language is made up of the following… • Facial expressions (an awareness of the concept of masking is important) • Eye contact • Gestures (nodding, pointing, shrugging) • Posture • Movement

Paralanguage • A type of nonverbal language that involves using voice variation and non-word sounds to accompany a verbal message • Paralanguage involves • The general sound of a person’s voice • The person’s use of pauses • The person’s use of non-word sounds (well, uh, uhm, you know, like)

Assignments While watching both Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, list some of the nonverbal language you observe in your notebook. For tonight…find two or three advertisements in magazines that have people (or a person) as a primary focus. Cut them out, paste them on a page, and then write what non-verbal body language you observe in the ad that allows us to interpret the ad as the creators of it hoped.

Verbal v. Nonverbal Language