Communication Notes Unit 1, Topic 2

Encoding and Language

• Verbal Encoding and Non-Verbal Encoding

  • Root word is code

    • Examples: Braille, Morse Code, ASCII

• Transaction Model of Communication

  • Important characteristics to consider

• Types of Language Variations

  • Y’all: A type of regionalism

  • Differences in terminology include:

    • Slang: Informal language, often specific to a group

    • Jargon: Specialized terminology used in a particular context

    • Euphemism: Mild or indirect word expression

    • Regionalism: Words commonly used in specific areas

5 Important Characteristics of Language

1. Language consists of symbols

   • Syllabary: Represents syllables with characters

   • Logographic: Represents words with characters

   • Alphabetic: Characters represent sounds

2. Language is Rule-Governed

   • Semantic: Meanings of words

   • Syntactic: Arrangement of words

   • Pragmatic: Use of words in context

3. Language is Abstract

   • Organizes and classifies reality

   • Example: "Dog" encompasses various breeds/mammals

4. Language is Intertwined with Culture

   • Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis: Language influences thought

     • Power of Naming: Thought processes depend on language

     • Naming allows perception of things

     • Variations of colors (e.g., Blue, Cyan, Azul)

   • Influence of Writing on Learning:

     • Enhances understanding through note-taking

     • Writing promotes better thought processes

     • Writing aids in problem-solving

   • Potential Side Effects of Generative AI: Outsourcing writing may affect thinking processes

5. Language is Political

Nonverbal Communication

• Ten Common Forms:

  • Eye contact

  • Facial expressions

  • Gestures

  • Body Language (Kinesics)

  • Touch (Haptics)

  • Voice variations (Paralinguistics): intonation, pitch, pacing, volume

  • Space (Proxemics)

  • Time (Chronemics)

  • Dress and grooming (Physical Appearance)

  • Use of objects or artifacts (e.g., emojis)

    • Origin of emojis from emoticons (first emoji in 1999)

    • First set of emojis approved in 2010

Six Functions of Nonverbal Communication

1. Substitution: Replaces verbal communication

2. Reinforcement: Clarifies verbal communication

3. Contradicting: Opposes verbal communication

4. Complementing: Adds meaning to verbal communication

5. Emphasizing (Accenting): Increases the significance of verbal communication

6. Discourse Management: Regulates flow of communication

Decoding: Listening and Reading

• Types of Listening:

  • Critical

  • Informational

  • Empathetic

• Decoding Process:

  • Attention: Focusing perception of the message

    • Types: Voluntary (chosen) and Involuntary (accidental)

  • Interpretation: Assigning meaning to the message

    • Affected by culture and experience

    • Leads to understanding or misunderstanding

  • Evaluation: Judging messages based on criteria

    • Includes evaluation of purpose, source, integrity, rhetoric, quality

  • Response: Feedback can be verbal and nonverbal

Actions Taken During Response

• Eye contact

• Nodding

• Paraphrasing

• Asking questions

• Taking notes

• Engaging in discussions

• Sometimes, communication’s purpose is merely to build memory storage/ retrieval

Barriers to Effective Listening

• Noise

• Pseudolistening

• Selective attention

• Information overload

• Glazing over

• Rebuttal tendency

• Closed-mindedness

• Interruptive listening

• Nervous listening

Media and Their Role in Communication

• Media as Synthetic Experiences

  • Messages conveyed through various channels

  • Media enables communication across time and space barriers

  • Example: Phones overcome spatial barriers; letters cover both spatial and temporal barriers

• Types of Mediated Communication:

  • Mediated interpersonal (one-to-one)

  • Mass communication (one-to-many)

  • Digitally networked (many-to-many)

Relationship Between Media and Society

• Technological Determinism: Technology changes behavior

  • Concept by Marshall McLuhan: "The medium is the message"

  • Focus ought to be on the existence and implications of technology rather than just content

New Technology and Its Impact

• Social Construction of Technology

  • Social structures influence technology development and use

• Media as Extensions of Ourselves:

  • Online dating apps illustrate changes in how romance is formed

    • Ambivalence in usage linked to superficiality and purpose

  • Historical context: Courting involves visiting a potential partner’s family, whereas dating evolved due to technological changes (e.g., automobiles, movie theaters).