Verbal and Nonverbal MessagesVerbal and Nonverbal Messages
Unit 1 Section 2
VocabularyVocabulary
• Body language• Connotation• Cues• Denotation• Dialect• Intimate space• Jargon• Masking• Paralanguage• Personal space
• Public space• Slang• Social space• Standard American
English• sublanguage
Activity 1: Nonverbal Cartoon
Activity 1: Nonverbal Cartoon
• Using the handout, write in each frame the dialogue you think fits the depicted action.
• Observe expressions, postures, and actions of the characters.
Comparing Verbal and Nonverbal Language
Comparing Verbal and Nonverbal Language
VERBAL MESSAGE
NONVERBAL CUES
FUNCTION
“That’s hilarious.”
Smiling, laughing
Complements verbal message
“Do it now!” Pounding on desk
Emphasizes verbal message
No verbal answer (in response to “Did you get the tickets?”
Nodding or shaking the head
Replaces verbal message
“Great haircut you got there.”
Spoken in an unfriendly tone
Contradicts verbal message
Activity 2: Exploring the Effects of Verbal and Nonverbal Messages
Activity 2: Exploring the Effects of Verbal and Nonverbal Messages
• Think of a short verbal message to send to a partner. (Ex. “I’ve got to leave now,” “Please don’t say that.” “Where’d you get that sweater?”)
• Express the same message verbally three times.
• Each time, change your nonverbal message to convey a different meaning.
Understanding Verbal Language
Understanding Verbal Language
• Analyzing Language– Language is a system– Language is symbolic– Language is conventional– Language is learned.– Language changes.
Common Ways That Language Changes
Common Ways That Language Changes
SOURCES OF CHANGE EXAMPLES
Words come from other languages Spanish: canyon, tornado
Native American: raccoon, persimmon
Chinese: typhoon, ketchup
Whole words are put together to create new meanings
Busybody, downfall, lifesaving, videotape, skateboard
Words are blended to create new meanings
Smoke + fog = smog
Motor + hotel = motel
New words are needed for new objects and ideas
Microchip, artificial intelligence, laser, killer bees
Meanings of words change Meanings of nice over six hundred years:
“foolish,” “strange,” “lazy,” “modest,” “precise,” “dainty,” and “pleasant”
ACTIVITY 3:Exploring the Meanings of Words
ACTIVITY 3:Exploring the Meanings of Words
• In a group of two or three, choose one of the following words. Discuss what you think the word means until your group can agree on a definition. Check your definition. Then find the earliest meaning of the word.
• amuse hobby stew • bread silly temper• forlorn
Understanding Shades of Meaning
Understanding Shades of Meaning
• Denotation– Dictionary meaning of a word– Ex. Quarter = “1/4 of a dollar”; “area or section
of a city”
• Connotation– Hidden meaning of a word, association that
the word arouse– Ex. Dog, mother, etc
Adapting Language to Specific Situations
Adapting Language to Specific Situations
• Standard American English• Sublanguages
– Jargon• Specialized vocabulary that is understood by people
in a particular group
– Slang• Recently coined words or old words used in new ways
– Dialect• Regional or cultural variety of language differing from
SAE in pronunciation, grammar and word choice
SublanguagesSublanguagesType Examples Appropriate
UseInappropriate
Use
JARGON
Television: sound bite, talking head
Football: punt, nose guard, goal
When speaking to people in a particular group that uses that jargon
When speaking outside that particular group
SLANG
Newly coined words: nerd, hassle, bummer
Old words used in new ways: awesome, hot, cool, dude
When speaking in informal situations
When speaking in formal occasions
DIALECT
Pronunciation: greassy/greazy
Dog/dawg
Grammar: you/ youse, y’all
Word choice: pail/ bucket, flapjack/ pancake, soda/drink
When communicating with other who use that dialect
When speaking for formal occasions
ACTIVITY 4:Analyzing Slang
ACTIVITY 4:Analyzing Slang
• Working with your group, make a list of 10 slang expressions (CLEAN!) you hear frequently.
• Then ask your parents or grandparents for five slang expressions they used when they were young.
• Share with the class and compile two lists, one of common slang expressions popular today and one from the past.
• What expressions appear on both lists?• What conclusions can we draw from this?
Use Language to Present the Best Possible YouUse Language to Present the Best Possible You
• Use words carefully
• Understand the connotations of words
• Use language that is appropriate to the communication setting
• Improve your language
HOW TO
Analyzing Body LanguageAnalyzing Body Language
• Facial expressions– masking
• Eye contact
• Gestures
• Posture
• Movement
Communicating with Body Language
Communicating with Body Language
Type Examples or meanings
Functions
Facial expression
Winking, making eye contact, raising an eyebrow, smiling, frowning, sneering
Can help show feelings or substitute for or reinforce verbal message
Eye contact Looking the other person in the eye while speaking or listening
Can indicate honesty, sincerity, can demonstrate intensity of interest
Gestures Nodding, shrugging, pointing, gesturing to show size, shape, etc.
Can replace words in some messages; can emphasize verbal message
Posture Standing tall and sure; slumping Can covey attitude, such as confidence or dejection
Movement Walking with a quick, lively step; dragging the feet
Can enhance the impression you want to make
24 HOUR SILENCE24 HOUR SILENCE
• Write about your experience during the 24 hour silence assignment.
• What was the most challenging part?
• What was the easiest part?
• What did you learn about yourself?
• What did you learn about how you communicate?
ACTIVITY 5:Using Body Language to Express
Emotion
ACTIVITY 5:Using Body Language to Express
Emotion• In a group of 5 or 6 people, act out a situation in
which each person uses body language to express strong emotion.
• The situation could be stubbing a toe, dropping car keys into a sewer, finding a dollar on the ground, bringing home good (or bad) grades, or winning a prize.
• Act out the scene for the class. ONLY NONSENSE SYLLABLES ALLOWED. NO REAL WORDS.
• Analyze how the characters used body language to covey the message.
Evaluating the Message Your Appearance Sends
Evaluating the Message Your Appearance Sends
• Appearance can be interpreted by others as a clue to your interests
• Appearance can be interpreted as expressing a person’s attitude toward another person, especially when a specific kind of attire is expected.
• Appearance can be interpreted as a sign of a person’s self-regard.
ACTIVITY 6:Analyzing a Picture for Nonverbal
Cues
ACTIVITY 6:Analyzing a Picture for Nonverbal
Cues• With your team, study the picture you
brought without speaking.• Then jot down three to five adjectives for
each photo, such as lively, warm, sympathetic, etc.
• Discuss the similarities and differences in your lists.
• Discuss why you chose the adjectives you chose.
Analyzing ParalanguageAnalyzing Paralanguage
• Type of nonverbal communication that involves using voice variation and non-word sounds to accompany a verbal message.
• Three types:– General sound of the speaker’s voice
• Pitch• Volume• Rate• Quality or tone
Analyzing ParalanguageAnalyzing Paralanguage
– Speaker’s use of pauses• Indicate uncertainty• Create suspense• Add emphasis
– Speaker’s use of non-word sounds• Extraneous sounds such as “um”, “well,” “you
know” to fill gaps in spoken comments• These are considered non-words when they have
no real meaning in the context of the verbal message
ACTIVITY 7:Using Paralanguage to Communicate Meaning
ACTIVITY 7:Using Paralanguage to Communicate Meaning
• Copy this dialogue:– “How are you?”– “Great. How about yourself?”– “Just fine.”– “I’ve got to be going now.”– “I’ll catch you later.”
• Using paralanguage clues create three scenarios– 1st: speakers really like each other– 2nd: speakers don’t particularly like each other but are
just being polite– 3rd: speakers really dislike each other
Identifying How Environment Affects Communication
Identifying How Environment Affects Communication
• Color– Some colors have a stimulating effect, while
others have a calming effect
• Lighting– Low lighting vs. bright lighting– Fluorescent lighting
• Sound– Soft music vs. loud music– Loud or distracting noises
Identifying How Environment Affects Communication
Identifying How Environment Affects Communication
• Space– Intimate space
• Up to 18 inches between you and other people• Reserved for family members and close friends• Dictated by custom; may vary country to country
– Personal space• 18 inches to 4 feet• Most conversations with acquaintances
Identifying How Environment Affects Communication
Identifying How Environment Affects Communication
• Space– Social space
• 4 to 12 feet• Distance for interviews and formal conversations
– Public space• Beyond 12 feet• Public speeches, oral readings, etc.
ACTIVITY 8:Analyzing an Environment
ACTIVITY 8:Analyzing an Environment
• Select three communication environments.
• Describe the color, lighting, sound, and space in each environment.
• How do these features contribute to or detract from the communication setting?
• How do these features differ from one environment to another?
Use Nonverbal Communication Effectively
Use Nonverbal Communication Effectively
• Use body language that supplements what you want to say.
• Make sure your appearance is in keeping with what you want to accomplish.
• Make sure that the sound of your voice is in keeping with your message.
• If possible, create an environment that is suitable for the kind of communication you want.
HOW TO
Review Questions Unit 1 Section 2Review Questions Unit 1 Section 2
1. What are the functions of nonverbal communication?2. Define verbal language. List five important features of it.3. List four ways the English language changes.4. What is the difference between denotation and
connotation?5. Why is it important to communicate in Standard
American English? When is it appropriate to use nonstandard English?
6. How can you improve your use of language?7. What are five ways that body language communicates
messages?8. What is paralanguage?9. List and explain the four types of space, or distance,
that affect communication.