Module 1

Introduction to the Study of Language, Communication Processes, and Principles


INTRODUCTION: LANGUAGE

What is Language?

Language is a unique human ability used to communicate thoughts, ideas, feelings, and information.

Language has three important features:

  1. Grammar – the rules of language

  2. Phonology – the system of sounds

  3. Lexicon – vocabulary or words

Easy Example:

We can communicate the idea of food by saying:

  • “Food.”

  • “Want some food?”

  • “I’d like to share this food with you.”

These expressions follow rules that people in a speech community understand.


Animal Communication vs. Human Language

Animals can communicate using sounds and gestures, but their communication is generally not considered language in the same structured, rule-governed sense as human language.

Main Difference:

Human language = structured + rule-governed system


SPEECH COMMUNITY

A speech community is a group of people who share and use the same language rules.

Example:

Americans and British people both speak English, but they may differ in:

  • Pronunciation

  • Spelling

  • Vocabulary

  • Expressions


LANGUAGE ACQUISITION AND LEARNING

Mother Tongue / First Language

The first language learned from birth.

Second Language

A language learned after the first language.

It can be learned:

  • Formally → through school

  • Informally → through exposure and experience


LANGUAGE CONTACT

Language contact happens when people from different language communities interact.

Result:

Language contact can lead to:

  • Learning another language

  • Mutual understanding

  • Blended language forms

  • Language change

Easy Reminder:

When languages meet, languages can change.


LESSON 1: TYPES OF COMMUNICATION

What is Communication?

Communication is the exchange of:

  • Thoughts

  • Ideas

  • Information

  • Feelings

  • Views

Communication is affected by:

  • Physical factors

  • Cultural factors

  • Social factors

  • Psychological factors

Communication can be classified according to:

  1. Mode

  2. Context

  3. Purpose and Style


TYPES OF COMMUNICATION ACCORDING TO MODE

1. Verbal Communication

Communication that uses words.

Examples:

  • Speaking

  • Conversations

  • Speeches

  • Written messages


2. Nonverbal Communication

Communication without relying mainly on words.

Examples:

  • Facial expressions

  • Gestures

  • Body language

  • Eye contact

  • Posture

  • Tone of voice

Example:

A person may say “I’m fine,” but their sad facial expression may communicate something different.


3. Visual Communication

Communication that uses images or visual elements.

Examples:

  • Signs

  • Symbols

  • Charts

  • Graphs

  • Maps

  • Drawings

  • Emojis

  • GIFs

  • Infographics

  • Videos

Good Visual Communication Should Be:

  • Clear

  • Accurate

  • Appropriate for the context

  • Well-designed


TYPES OF COMMUNICATION ACCORDING TO CONTEXT

1. Intrapersonal Communication

Intra = within

Communication with yourself.

Examples:

  • Self-talk

  • Reflective thinking

  • Self-motivation

  • Emotional regulation

Example:

“I can do this.”

Purpose:

Helps you:

  • Clarify your thoughts

  • Make decisions

  • Understand your feelings


2. Interpersonal Communication

Inter = between

Communication between two or more people.

Types:

Casual

  • Small talk

  • Greetings

  • Sharing feelings

Transactional

  • Goal-oriented communication

Example:

Asking someone for directions.


3. Extended Communication

Communication that uses electronic or digital media.

Examples:

  • Radio

  • Television

  • Video calls

  • Webinars

  • Teleconferencing

This may require:

  • Formality

  • Preparation

  • Cultural sensitivity


4. Organizational Communication

Communication within structured organizations such as:

  • Schools

  • Companies

  • Government agencies

Formal Communication Channels

Downward ↓
Managers → Employees

Upward ↑
Employees → Managers

Horizontal
Communication between people at the same level

Crosswise
Communication across different levels or departments

Informal Communication: Grapevine

Unofficial and spontaneous communication.

It can:

  • Build relationships

  • Spread information quickly

  • Also spread misinformation


5. Intercultural Communication

Communication between people with different:

  • Cultures

  • Languages

  • Religions

  • Ethnic backgrounds

Possible Problem:

Different cultures may interpret:

  • Eye contact

  • Gestures

  • Body language

  • Words

differently.

Main Idea:

Always be aware that the same action may have different meanings in different cultures.


TYPES OF COMMUNICATION ACCORDING TO PURPOSE AND STYLE

1. Formal Communication

Used in:

  • School

  • Professional settings

  • Business

  • Academic situations

Characteristics:

  • Structured

  • Prepared

  • Precise

  • Professional

Examples:

  • Research papers

  • Business reports

  • Formal speeches


2. Informal Communication

Used in:

  • Casual situations

  • Personal conversations

Characteristics:

  • Relaxed

  • Spontaneous

  • Personal

Examples:

  • Text messages

  • Chats with friends

  • Personal emails

Easy Difference:

Formal

Informal

Professional

Casual

Structured

Relaxed

Prepared

Spontaneous

Academic/work settings

Friends and family


LESSON 2: COMMUNICATION PROCESSES, PRINCIPLES, AND ETHICS

What is a Communication Model?

A communication model is a simplified representation of how communication works.

It helps us understand:

  • How messages are sent

  • How messages are received

  • What affects communication

  • Why communication may fail

The module discusses four major models:

  1. Aristotle’s Model

  2. Lasswell’s Model

  3. Shannon-Weaver Model

  4. Berlo’s SMCR Model


1. ARISTOTLE’S COMMUNICATION MODEL

One of the earliest communication models.

It mainly focuses on public speaking and persuasion.

Five Elements:

S – Speaker

Who is speaking?

S – Speech

What is being said?

O – Occasion

When and where is it being said?

A – Audience

Who receives the message?

E – Effect

What result does the speaker want?

EASY REMINDER:

SSOAE

Speaker → Speech → Occasion → Audience → Effect

Main Idea:

A good speaker should adjust their message based on:

  • The audience

  • The occasion

  • The desired effect


2. LASSWELL’S COMMUNICATION MODEL

Lasswell explains communication by asking:

WHO → SAYS WHAT → IN WHICH CHANNEL → TO WHOM → WITH WHAT EFFECT?

Question

Meaning

Who?

Sender

Says What?

Message

In Which Channel?

Medium

To Whom?

Audience

With What Effect?

Result

Advantages:

Easy to understand
Can apply to many communication situations
Focuses on the effect of communication

Disadvantages:

Does not include feedback
Does not include noise


3. SHANNON-WEAVER MODEL

This model focuses on how messages travel from the sender to the receiver.

Its most important concept is:

NOISE

Noise is anything that interferes with communication.

Elements:

  1. Sender – creates the message

  2. Encoder – changes the message into signals

  3. Channel – pathway of the message

  4. Noise – interference

  5. Decoder – converts signals back into understandable messages

  6. Receiver – receives and interprets the message

Flow:

Sender → Encoder → Channel → Decoder → Receiver

Noise can interfere anywhere during transmission.

Examples of Noise:

  • Loud sounds

  • Poor internet connection

  • Technical problems

  • Signal interference


4. BERLO’S SMCR MODEL

S – M – C – R

S – Source

The person who sends the message.

The source is influenced by:

  • Communication skills

  • Attitude

  • Knowledge

  • Social system

  • Culture


M – Message

The information being communicated.

Includes:

  • Content

  • Elements

  • Treatment

  • Structure

  • Code

Code Examples:

  • Language

  • Gestures

  • Symbols

  • Music

  • Body language


C – Channel

The way the message reaches the receiver.

Berlo identifies the five sensory channels:

  1. Hearing

  2. Seeing

  3. Touching

  4. Smelling

  5. Tasting


R – Receiver

The person who receives and interprets the message.

For communication to be effective, the receiver should have appropriate:

  • Skills

  • Knowledge

  • Attitude

  • Cultural understanding


Criticisms of Berlo’s SMCR Model

The model:

Lacks feedback
Does not clearly discuss noise
Is mainly linear or one-way
Can be oversimplified
May assume ideal communication conditions


GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

1. Know Your Purpose

Ask:

Why am I communicating?

Possible purposes:

  • To inform

  • To persuade

  • To entertain


2. Know Your Audience

Consider:

  • Age

  • Background

  • Culture

  • Profession

  • Knowledge level

Adjust your:

  • Tone

  • Vocabulary

  • Examples

  • Approach


3. Know Your Topic

Understand your subject well.

You should be:

  • Knowledgeable

  • Prepared

  • Able to explain clearly


4. Adjust to the Context

Consider:

  • The setting

  • Formality

  • Medium

  • Culture

  • Time available

Example:

You communicate differently during:

  • A job interview

  • A class presentation

  • A conversation with friends


5. Respond to Feedback

Observe how your audience responds.

Use feedback to improve your communication.

Key Idea:

Effective communicators are also good listeners.


PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE ORAL COMMUNICATION

1. Have a Clear Purpose

Know what you want to achieve.

2. Deliver a Complete Message

Support your ideas with:

  • Facts

  • Evidence

  • Examples

3. Be Concise

Use only the necessary words.

Avoid:

  • Repetition

  • Too many fillers

  • Unnecessary information

4. Be Natural

Speak in a conversational and authentic way.

Use appropriate:

  • Tone

  • Gestures

  • Body language

5. Encourage and Respond to Feedback

Observe your audience and adjust when necessary.


EFFECTIVE WRITTEN COMMUNICATION: THE 7 C’s

1. Clarity

Make your message easy to understand.

Confusing
Clear and direct


2. Conciseness

Get straight to the point.

Avoid unnecessary words.


3. Concreteness

Use:

  • Facts

  • Evidence

  • Specific details

Avoid vague statements.


4. Correctness

Check:

  • Grammar

  • Spelling

  • Punctuation

Mistakes can reduce your credibility.


5. Coherence

Organize ideas logically.

Your ideas should flow smoothly.


6. Completeness

Include all important information.

Do not leave your audience confused.


7. Courtesy

Be:

  • Polite

  • Respectful

  • Friendly

Avoid rude or offensive language.

EASY REMINDER:

The 7 C’s

Clear – Concise – Concrete – Correct – Coherent – Complete – Courteous


SUPER QUICK REVIEW

LANGUAGE

Language = Grammar + Sounds + Vocabulary

COMMUNICATION TYPES BY MODE

  • Verbal

  • Nonverbal

  • Visual

COMMUNICATION TYPES BY CONTEXT

  • Intrapersonal → within yourself

  • Interpersonal → between people

  • Extended → uses media/technology

  • Organizational → within an organization

  • Intercultural → between different cultures

COMMUNICATION BY STYLE

  • Formal → professional

  • Informal → casual

COMMUNICATION MODELS

Aristotle:

Speaker → Speech → Occasion → Audience → Effect

Lasswell:

Who → Says What → Channel → To Whom → Effect

Shannon-Weaver:

Sender → Encoder → Channel → Decoder → Receiver

  • Noise

Berlo:

SMCR

  • Source

  • Message

  • Channel

  • Receiver

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Remember:

Purpose + Audience + Topic + Context + Feedback

EFFECTIVE WRITING

Remember the 7 C’s:

Clarity, Conciseness, Concreteness, Correctness, Coherence, Completeness, and Courtesy

This version is meant to be much easier to review before an exam while keeping the important concepts from your Module 1.