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.