Unit 3: Language and Verbal Communication.” We may often think that, having good communication skills is all about the ability to speak well….. Or all about “SPEAKING.”

We are right…… But only 50% right. Because…. Verbal Communication has another very important part…… “LISTENING”. “Speaking” + “Listening” = “Verbal Communication.”

Unit 3 Reading:  Understand the power of language  Identify the ways in which communication functions for people  Recognize and address communication problems  Understand that language reflects, builds on, and determines context

 We must understand the power of language, the system of symbols we use to think about and communicate experiences and feelings.

For discussion  The text discusses five problems with language starting on page Briefly explain the five problems and how to avoid each. 2. Which language problem do you use most in your verbal communication? 3. How will you use these solutions in your daily life?

Five functional communication competencies explain how language works for people.

 Language, unfortunately, can cause problems in communication and relationships.

 Situation and meaning: Language is affected by semantics (the relationship among symbols, objects, people, and concepts and the meanings that words have for people) and pragmatics (the ability to use the symbol systems of a culture appropriately).

 1. Placing gender, ethnic, class, occupation, and role labels on others often ignores individual differences.  2. Biased language employs labels infused with subtle meanings that influence our perceptions about the subject and can create positive or negative images in our mind.  3. Politically correct language attempts to replace biased language with more neutral labels, though critics argue that it can sometimes compromise clarity.

 We sometimes confuse facts, opinions, and inferences, resulting in miscommunication.

For discussion  Do you think men and women communicate differently?

 Language reflects, builds on, and determines context.

 The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggests that words influence thinking.

“Speaking.” ‘To speak’ and ‘to speak well’ are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks. ~Ben Johnson It is better to keep one's mouth shut, and be thought a fool, than to open it and resolve all doubt. ~Abraham Lincoln The words you choose to say something are just as important as the decision to speak. ~Author Unknown

Speaking consists of two parts… 1) “What to Speak.” and 2) “How to Speak.”

 Speakers of the same language who hail from different geographical areas find that the culture of their environment affects their language and their understanding of the world.

Why do we get Nervous? Nervousness does not cause as much Forgetting as….. Forgetting causes Nervousness. *One of the main causes of Nervousness is “Forgetting”, or rather, “The Fear of Forgetting”. *In other words, we would not get nervous if we knew for certain that we would not forget…our lines.

 Parameters of Evaluation Speed….number of words per minute. Clarity…if audible & free of distortion. Pronunciation…utterance of speech. Familiarity...acquaintance with words used. Punctuation…use of various kinds of pauses. Fluency…Able to express easily. Expression…transforming of ideas into words. Content… meaning or substance of speech.

Speed Speed….number of words per minute.  While Most Indians speak at 170 to 180 wpm, their foreign counterparts speak at 110 to 120 wpm.  Slowing down on rate of speech is the first step towards better speech.

Clarity Clarity…if audible & free of distortion.  Speech should be loud enough to carry to all the listeners. Judge the acoustics of the room.  Voice Clarity can be mastered with regular practice.

Pronunciation Pronunciation…utterance of speech.  Always remember that English is not "phonetic". That means that we do not always say a word the same way that we spell it.  Use a Good Dictionary or work with your Trainer to Correct pronunciation.

Punctuation Punctuation…use of various kinds of pauses.  Pause at Full Stops.  Pause at Commas.  Pause at Semi colons.  Pause at Interjection marks.  Pause at Question marks.

Familiarity Familiarity...acquaintance with words used.  Learning new words…  Using known words in new contexts…  Understanding contexts and situations before reading again..

Fluency Fluency…Able to express easily.  Developing Fluency is a matter of having all the other parameters in place.  Fluency indicates that a comfortable working ability with the language has been established.