Communication and its forms

VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Verbal communication = communication by using words, spoken language (a system of words, sounds etc.) or written communication. There are different kinds of conversation: formal, informal, chattering, gossiping, some people prefer talking to others face-to-face to talking to them over the phone. In oral commucation we can express our feeling and thoughts not only by using the appropriate words but also by using different intonation, stress, tone, modulation of the voice, long expressive pauses.

Advantages of spoken language

we can repeat our speech or request
we can explain the issue in another way in case the listener doesn’t understand
we can see the listener’s face so we have the immediate respond

Disadvantages of spoken language

you can’t take back what you say, it might cause you problems

Advantages of written communication

the ideas are better more structured and better organised, you may express your feelings and opinion more clearly
written words can be read several times
in case of formal writing (applications, complaints etc.), you can make a copy and use it as a proof if it is necessary
you can eliminate errors (you can use a function – spelling check)
in case of any kinds of problems it might be better to use this kind of communication, we may calm down a little bit during writing and to solve the problem with “a cold head”

Disadvantages of written communication

requires more thoughts and planning
in case of a description – long explanation is needed

NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Non-verbal communication means using symbols, sign language, gestures, body language, colours. Sign language = system of hand movements and gestures which represent ideas and words.

a way of communication among the deaf

Gestures

a system of movements of the whole body , especially hands / fingers / face and other parts of a body

usage: they help us to express our ideas in case we don’t know the words/ we want to emphasise something / the other person can’t hear us, can’t see us, does’t understand us
gestures are not international, the same gesture can have different meaning in different countries

Our bodies constantly talk

we smile = we are happy, satisfied
we yawn = we are tired or bored
we frown = we are unsatisfied or we concetrate on something
we kiss = on cheeks
= in order to greet the others or say goodbye

= on the mouth = a romantic relationship

Colours

a way how to express people’s feelings
- black = in western countries the colour of death
- white = in Asian countires the colour of death
- blue = in England it is a colour of something annoying
e.g. if I am angry = I am in blue, I feel blue.

Pictograms, signs – make travelling easier

MODERN METHODS OF COMMUNICATION

Modern forms of communication = using mobile phones (talking, chatting on phones, sending sms, mms) or internet (chatting on social websites, senidng e-mails)

MOBILE PHONES

1) talking on the phone

advantages:

you can contact a person immediately (appropriate mainly in case of emergency)
you can talk to a person whenever and wherever you need
you can hide your feelings, it is easier to lie (to tell a white lie is sometimes necessary)

disadvantage:

it is common see people speaking/laughing/arguing by phone – they look crazy, everybody can hear their problem, it may be impolite
many people prefer communication face to face
it shouldn’t be used for solving emotional problems (breaking-ups)
personal contact is destroyed

2) sending sms

advantages:

a quick way of informing
suitable for sending greetings

disadvantages:

using abbreviations too often influences our grammar negatively,
people usually don’t write commas, people can easily forget about the right way of using them

INTERNET

advantages

a way how to be in contact with people who are far away fom us
it may be a way how to express your feeling or opinion more clearly, we can read and rewrite the mail several times before sending it

disadvantages

chatting websites – we can become addicted to them, we spend long hours chatting, it is a waste of time, it may be even dangerous, you don’t know the person you chat with.

AGE GROUPS

Children

they have their own language, sometimes it is difficult to understand them, they learn how to talk, their vocabulary is not rich, they talk about toys, cartoons, games, video games etc.

Teenagers

their language is informal, full of slang and ,unfortunately, bad language and invectives. Their language is sometimes obscure, old people don’t understand them. They break gramatical rules rather often, especially during writing sms or mails.

Topics mostly discussed by teenagers are: friends, love, boyfriends, girlfriends, school, films, music, parties, hobbies.

Adults

most often they talk about their children, work, money, holidays etc.

Old people

often use words which were used in the past and aren’t used now so young people don’t understand them. They often talk about their families, grandchildren, illnesses etc.