Effective Communication (Core) - Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from Effective Communication (Core) notes.

Communicare

Latin root meaning “to make common to many, to share, to impart” (origin of 'communication').

Symbol

Form of the sign (e.g., a word, image, gesture) used to convey meaning.

Interpreter

The person or entity perceiving and understanding the sign.

Referent

The actual object, concept, or idea that the symbol refers to in the real world.

Personal Communication

Communication focused on a single person’s characteristics or attributes.

Personal Texts

Diaries, journal entries, blogs, letters, autobiographies.

Interpersonal Communication

Focuses on interactions and relationships between people.

Interpersonal Texts

Conversations, interviews, emails, social media messages, group chats.

Language

Choice of words (formal, informal, slang, polite, emotional, etc.).

Tone

Speaker’s attitude or emotion (friendly, angry, sarcastic, respectful, etc.).

Audience

Who the text is directed to.

Purpose

Why the message is being sent.

Context

The situation in which it happens; relevant background information.

Spoken Text

Heard or said aloud (e.g., conversation, speech, podcast).

Written Text

Read on paper or screen (e.g., letter, story, article).

Multimodal Text

Combines words, images, sound, or video (e.g., vlogs, YouTube videos, ads, podcasts).

Digital Multimodal Texts

Websites, infographics, podcasts, videos.

Non-Digital Multimodal Texts

Posters, collages, zines, comic books, or graphs.

Main Point

The main point is what the speaker, writer, or creator wants you to remember most.

Content

What is being said.

Intent

Why something is being said.

Active Listening

Listen to understand, not just to reply; show you’re listening; don’t interrupt; ask clarifying questions; reflect and paraphrase to confirm understanding.

Empathy and Perspective-Taking

Be mindful of cultural norms; avoid slang or idioms that may not translate; show respect and patience; adapt style to audience.

Non-Verbal Cues

Signals other than words that convey meaning (tone, eye contact, personal space, facial expression, body language).

Non-Verbal Cues That Matter

Examples include tone and pacing of voice, eye contact, personal space, facial expression, and body language/gestures.