Symbols are abstract, ambiguous, and arbitrary; their meanings aren’t self-evident or absolute.
Meaning is not fixed in the symbol itself; we must interpret symbols within context.
Interpretation shapes how messages are understood in real-world communication.
How Meaning is Interpreted
Words don’t carry fixed meaning on their own; people interpret them based on context, tone, culture, and personal experiences.
Example Scenario: Two Friends Texting
Text from Friend A: “Nice job on your presentation.”
Friend B’s interpretation depends on context:
If Friend A usually gives compliments, it might be genuine praise.
If Friend A is often sarcastic, it might be mocking.
Text lacks tone or facial expression, so interpretation is open-ended.
Takeaway: The same words can have different meanings depending on interpretation; meaning arises from how the listener/reader makes sense of it, not only from the words themselves.
Punctuation Affects Meaning
Punctuation is described as the mental mark of the beginnings and endings of particular interactions (Watzlawick, Beavin, & Jackson, 1967).
Example: When a CEO enters a room, that marks the beginning of a meeting.
Example: Saying “Thank you for your attention” while folding notes marks the end of a formal speech.
The Classic Punctuation Example
Without punctuation: Let’s eat grandma
With punctuation: Let’s eat, Grandma.
Why it matters:
Punctuation can completely alter who is speaking to whom and what is being said or done.
In both written and verbal communication, pausing or emphasizing at the right places changes interpretation.
Enhancing Effectiveness in Verbal Communication
Core practices:
Engage in dual perspective
Own your feeling and thoughts
Respect what others say about their feelings and ideas
Strive for accuracy and clarity
Engage in Dual Perspective
Definition: Taking another person’s point of view into account as you communicate.
Example: You and a friend disagree about iPhone 8 Plus vs Samsung Note 9; understanding why your friend prefers one helps improve the relationship and job performance.
Benefit: Improves relational quality and effectiveness by understanding another person’s perception.
Own Your Feeling and Thoughts
Effective communicators take responsibility for themselves by using language that owns their thoughts and feelings.
This involves I-statements and clear attribution of emotions to oneself, reducing blaming language.
Respect What Others Say About Their Feelings and Ideas
Do not disparage others’ feelings or thoughts;
If you don’t understand, ask them to elaborate to show interest and respect for their experiences.
Reflection: People may have said to you things like “you shouldn’t feel that way” or “How can you think something so stupid?”—these reactions can shut down meaningful dialogue.
Strive for Accuracy and Clarity
Be aware of levels of abstraction; high abstraction increases risk of misunderstanding.
Examples from writing:
“your paper should demonstrate a sophisticated conceptual grasp of the material and its programmatic implication.”
“your papers should include definitions of the concepts and specific examples that show how they apply in real life.”
Strive for Accuracy and Clarity: Practical Guidelines
1) Qualify generalizations to avoid misleading others (e.g., avoid broad claims like “politicians are crooked”).
2) Qualify language when describing and evaluating people:
Static evaluation: suggests something is unchanging (e.g., Anna is selfish).
Indexing: notes that statements reflect only specific times and circumstances (e.g., Bob in college was generous).
Nonverbal Communication (Overview)
All aspects of communication other than the words themselves.
Includes:
How we utter words (inflection, volume, etc.).
Environmental features that affect interaction (temperature, lighting).
Objects that influence personal images and interaction patterns (dress, jewelry, furniture).
Principles of Nonverbal Communication
Regulates Interaction.
Establishes Relationship-Level Meanings.
Reflects Cultural Values.
Regulates Interaction
We use eyes and body posture to signal willingness to enter conversation.
Examples:
Speakers stepping back from a podium to indicate they finished a speech.
Looking directly at someone to invite them to speak, often after asking a question.
Establishes Relationship-Level Meanings
Responsiveness: using eye contact to show interest.
Liking: smiling to indicate positive feelings.
Power: power dynamics visible in nonverbal cues (e.g., bosses touching those with less power; the reverse is less common).
Reflects Cultural Values
Nonverbal behavior is largely learned through socialization.
Examples across cultures:
North Americans may value personal space and territoriality (e.g., bumper sticker: “If you can read this, you’re too close”).
Brazilians often stand closer in public spaces and may not apologize for close proximity.
Types of Nonverbal Communication
Kinesics
Haptics
Physical Appearance
Artifacts
Proxemics
Environmental Factors
Chronemics
Paralanguage
Silences
Kinesics
Body position and movements, including facial expressions.
A relaxed posture signals self-confidence; slouching may signal uncertainty.
Facial messages are intricate:
Scowls indicate disapproval
Raised eyebrows indicate doubt
Eye gazes suggest love
Stares can be a challenge
Eye contact is often tied to honesty and closeness
Haptics
Physical touch.
Touch can communicate power and status.
Gender differences:
Women tend to touch others to show liking and intimacy.
Men more often use touch to assert power and control.
Physical Appearance
Appearance influences judgments of attractiveness and personality traits.
These inferences can affect friendships, dating, hiring, and promotion decisions.
Western tendencies emphasized: thinness/softness in women; muscularity/height in men.
Artifacts
Personal objects signaling identity and environment personalization.
Dress, jewelry, and carried objects craft image.
Examples:
Quran in home signals religious identity.
Family photos on a desk personalize space.
Engagement rings signal commitment.
Proxemics
Space and how it is used.
Cultural norms govern comfortable distances.
Space can convey status and level of privacy.
Environmental Factors
Settings and physical elements affect feelings and actions.
Includes architecture, colors, room design, temperature, sounds, smells, and lighting.
Chronemics
Perception and use of time in defining identity and interaction.
High-status individuals may keep others waiting; low-status individuals are expected to be punctual (doctor vs patient).
Cultural differences: e.g., South America may tolerate lateness in meetings; Japanese culture generally emphasizes punctuality.
Paralanguage
Vocal communication that doesn’t involve words (e.g., murmurs, gasps) and vocal qualities (volume, rhythm, pitch, inflection).
Vocal cues help listeners interpret statements as jokes, threats, facts, questions, etc.
Examples: whispering signals secrecy; shouting conveys anger; a firm, confident voice can help when requesting a raise.
Silences
Silence can communicate different meanings.
Possible meanings:
Contentment
Awkwardness
Silences can also disconfirm others, signaling disagreement or disengagement.
Hospital Scene Example (Verbal and Nonverbal Interaction)
Setting: Hospital room; Nurse enters to check on a patient who just had surgery.
Dialogue:
Nurse (smiling, calm voice): Good morning, Mr. Santos. How are you feeling today?
Patient (weak voice, slight frown): A little sore… but better than yesterday.
Nurse (nodding and speaking gently): That’s good to hear. I’ll take your vitals now, and the doctor will come by soon.
Patient (tries to sit up, winces): Ouch… my back hurts.
Nurse (places a hand gently on the bed rail, concerned look): Let me help you adjust your position. I’ll also let the doctor know about your back pain.
Communication Elements in the Scene:
Verbal communication: Words exchanged (asking, informing, comforting)
Nonverbal communication: Facial expressions (smiling, frowning), Tone of voice (gentle, calm), Gestures (helping hand, nodding)
Paralanguage: Soft, caring tone signaling empathy
Silences (Recap)
We also use silence to convey meaning in various contexts (e.g., contentment, awkwardness, disagreement).
Closing
Oral and nonverbal cues work together to convey meaning; both interpretation and context shape how messages are received.