This document discusses several key aspects of communication and meaning. It explains that meaning depends on context, including the situation and accompanying behaviors. Meaning exists in the heads of individuals and can change with experience or differ between people. Misunderstandings are unavoidable but can be anticipated. Effective communication requires understanding the audience, their perspectives, and the relationship between speakers and listeners.

2.  Verbal Symbols
 WORDS!
 Nonverbal Symbols
 Gestures, Facial Expressions, Body Motions,
Tone of Voice
 Intentional or not, words, action, and dress
communicate who we are and what we think.

3. …sharing meaning by transmitting messages.
…sharing meaning by transmitting verbal messages.

4.  Words?
 Letters?
Everyone assigns meaning in their own special way.
Everyone has their own personal histories, moods,
biases, languages, attitudes, and knowledge…
…all influencing meaning!

5.  Messages are sent
and received…
 Meanings are in
message users
(people), not
messages (words).
 Meaning exists in
your HEAD!
 You speak, he speaks.
 He speaks, you nod.
 He imagines a day at
the beach. He talks
about it.
 YOU imagine
swimming.

6.  With experience,
meaning changes.
 Shared meanings are
never exactly the same!
 Misunderstandings
can’t be avoided, but
could be anticipated.
 When you were small,
the beach was huge.
 As an adult, it seems
smaller somehow.
 The perfect beach day
is different for
everyone!
 Ask “What do you
mean by ‘a perfect
beach day’?”

7.  Convey Emotional
Meaning BUT…
 One must be careful
NOT to give
confusing nonverbal
messages.
 …Can be easily
misinterpreted.
 For example, avoid
making a face that
may be seen as
angry, when all you
are doing is
squinting!

8. Establish
a
Relationship!
 Consider to whom
you are talking.
 Interpersonal?
 Group?
 Public or Private?
 Mass
Communication?

9.  Who is Dominant?
 Higher Status?
 Deserves Recognition?
 Authority?

10.  CurrentEmotionalState!
Education!
Culture!
Beliefs!

11.  …when to hold your tongue!
 …when to share and when not to share!
 Be aware of your audience!

12. SPEAKER’S ROLE
 Know the Listener.
 Direct information TO
the listener.
 Be sincere and respectful
to the listener.
 Know the speaker.
 Focus attention on the
speaker.
 Treat speaker with
respect.
LISTENER’S ROLES

13. SPEAKER’S ROLE
 Present information
clearly.
 Get Feedback, both
verbal and nonverbal.
 Keep an open mind.
 Ask for clarification, if
needed.
LISTENER’S ROLES

14.  Communication involves context!
 Meaning depends on the situation and the behaviour
that accompanies it.
 For example, the phrase “YOU NEED HELP” can have
a different meaning depending on the CONTEXT!
 Difficulty versus injury versus strange behaviour!

15.  Physical
 Social-psychological
 Relationship
 Location, physical
presence, attractiveness of
participants.
 Status, values, moods,
perceptions, roles, rules,
norms.
 Friends, family, coworkers.

16.  Cultural
 Temporal
 Collection of beliefs,
values, attitudes,
traditions, taboos,
customs, and behaviours
 Time of day, week,
season, history, position
of the communication in
a series

17.  First place one learns to communicate.
 Influenced by culture, roles, and emotional
connections.
 Strict and formal versus free-speaking and informal
 Different roles = different communication.
 Sometimes hard to break your role!
 Complicated relationships
 To help communication—identify issues, propose
improvements, understand other perspectives, share
your thoughts and feelings. MAINTAIN RESPECT!

18.  Usually based on shared elements like personality,
interests, backgrounds, family, etc.
 Some basic needs—enjoyment, affection, security, and
self-esteem—are fulfilled here.
 Often more comfortable than family relationships .
 Often make honesty difficult, espcially when things go
wrong.
 Easy to disrespect.
 IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN RESPECT!

19.  AT SCHOOL…
 Those with authority influence your position.
 Your role is to come prepared and help ensure your
learning.
 AT WORK…
 Boss has authority, thus influencing you severely.
 Affects the amount of info you are willing to share.
 Bosses maintain distance to stay authoritative.
 Like it or not, you are in a submissive position and
must, again, maintain respect to preserve
communication.

20.  Communities=networks of people living near each
other and interacting
 Important to know NAMES!
 Communicate consistently and in a friendly way

21. Generational Context
 People born within a 25 year time span
=GENERATION
 Events in those lives are not forgotten!
 Important to consider GENERATION when
communicating as the experiences of one are not the
same as another.
 For example, WWII Vests would see today’s wars with
different eyes, despite the war relationship.

22. Multicultural Context
 Communication expresses IDENTITY!
 Different ethnicities and religions approach things
their own ways, which may not be YOUR way.
 Be patient with others and be sensitive to the
differences.

23. FIVE
LEVELS OF
COMMUNICATION

24. Five Levels of Communication
 INTRAPERSONAL—self talk; internal dialogue
 YOU ARE NOT CRAZY!
 INTERPERSONAL—one-to-one; “between people”;
frequent role changes from speaker to listener and
back

25. Five Levels of Communication
 GROUP—3+ people; focus on decision making
 PUBLIC—to an audience to spread info/ideas
(teacher!)
 MASS—one person/group communicates through
mass medium (tv, radio, internet, etc); wide dispersal
of information, but impersonal to varying degrees

26. Communication and Careers
MOST IMPORTANT TO GET JOBS!
 Oral Communication
 Listening Ability
 Enthusiasm
 Interpersonal relationships are KEY!
 Verbal and Non-Verbal!
 KNOW YOUR CONTEXT! KNOW YOUR STUFF!

27. Communication and Careers
CENTRAL TO MANY CAREERS!
 ALL professionals require good verbal communication
 ALL professions require good listening skills
 In ALL careers, in ALL fields, and in EVERY way,
communication is a NECESSITY!

28. IN CLOSING…
 Realize that meanings shift!
 Know thy audience!
 Assess the speaker!
 Understand the context!
 Anticipate misunderstandings!