Definition Meaning Advantage and Disadvantage

1. Chapter 3: Verbal and
Nonverbal Communication
Objectives:
1. Describe the principles of verbal communication.
2. Demonstrate using verbal messages effectively.
3. Explain how communication can be impacted by the type
of language used.
4. Describe the functions served by nonverbal
communication.
5. Identify the different types of nonverbal communication.
6. Describe how to effectively send, receive, and interpret
nonverbal communication.

2. Language
• Language is a system of human communication using a
particular form of spoken or written words or other
symbols.
• Language consists of the use of words in a structured
way.
• Language helps us understand others’ wants, needs,
and desires.
• Language can help create connections, but it can also
pull us apart.

3. Rules to understanding word meaning
• Semantic rules are the dictionary definition of
the word, but change based on context.
• Syntactic rules govern how we help guide the
words we use. Syntactic rules can refer to the use
of grammar, structure, and punctuation to help
effectively convey our ideas.
• Pragmatic rules help us interpret messages by
analyzing the interaction completely. We need to
consider the words used, how they are stated,
our relationship with the speaker, and the
objectives of our communication.
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4. Words
• Words create your reality
• Words reflect our attitudes
• Metamessages are messages about
the messages. Metamessages are
relationship messages that are sent
among people who communicate.
• Denotative – dictionary meanings
• Connotative – emotional meanings
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5. As you move up the level of abstraction, the more abstract the idea,
and the lower on the ladder, the more concrete.
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6. Functions of Language
• Instrumental functions used to fulfill a need.
• Regulatory functions influence the behaviors of others through
requests, rules, or persuasion.
• Interactional functions used to maintain and develop relationships.
• Imaginative functions create imaginary constructs and storytelling.
• Personal functions form your identity.
• Heuristic functions used to learn, discover and explore.
• Cultural functions. Sapir-Worf theory suggests that language impacts
perceptions by showing a culture’s worldview.

7. Activity
• Ask several classmates to describe
themselves on notecards. Then, randomly
read a set of descriptions to the class and
ask them to identify who this person is.
Discover if these personal characteristics
are viewed by others or not. Determine
why these differences might exist.

8. Improving Verbal
Communication

9. Impact of Language
• Naming and identity
• Affiliation– We adapt language depending
on whom we are communicating.
• Sexist language will impact perceptions, and
people might be swayed about a person’s
capability based on the word choices.
• Racist language conveys that a racial group
is superior or better than another race.
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10. Types of Language
• Formal Language – uses full sentences and is more complex.
• Informal Language – everyday, casual language that may have slang.
• Jargon – specialized language of a specific group or profession.
• Colloquialisms – informal words that vary from region to region.
• Slang – words used by certain groups.
• Idioms – expressions whose meaning cannot be understood by
words. i.e. up in arms = really angry.
• Cliches – Overused expressions.
In groups of four, come up with 2 examples of each of these types.

11. Improper Language
• Biased language – i.e. Chairman = Chair
• Ambiguous language – can have various
meanings.
• Euphemisms – not direct language. i.e. He
is big boned = He is fat.
• Relative Language – based on the person
communicating’s experiences.
• Static evaluation – things change.
• Be mindful of how others will interpret
your messages.
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12. Importance of Nonverbal Communication
• We constantly communicate
nonverbally. Paul Watzlawick said,
“You cannot not communicate.”
• Nonverbal has significant meaning in
the message.
• Nonverbal is used to begin, develop,
and maintain relationships.

13. Nonverbal communication
Nonverbal behaviors communicate emotions.
Nonverbal is ambiguous, not an exact science.
Nonverbal is culturally based.
Nonverbal leads to misunderstanding.
Nonverbal is more trusted than verbal communication.

14. Six functions of nonverbal communication
Complementing Contradicting Accenting
Repeating Regulating Substituting

15. Activity with a group of 3 - 4
• Create a list of five situations in which nonverbal communication
helped you to accurately interpret verbal communication.
• Use the functions of nonverbal communication in your description.

16. Nonverbal
Communication
Categories
Haptics – touch

17. Vocalics
• Tempo – rate.
• Intensity – volume.
• Timbre, “quality given to a sound by its overtones:
such as the resonance by which the ear recognizes
and identifies a voiced speech sound,” (Merriam-
Webster).
• Paralanguage – rate, pitch, volume, quality, pauses…
Extra-linguistic.
• Pauses and silences can be impactful.
• Dysfluencies, Vocal Fillers, or Verbal Surrogates.

18. Kinesics
Facial Expressions- Seven universal emotions. SADFISH. Sad,
anger, disgust, disdain, fear, interest, surprise, and happy.
Name the emotions in the pictures.
Gestures – emblems,
illustrators, affect
displays, regulators.

19. Other Nonverbal Categories
• Chronemics – time
• Oculesics – eye behavior.
• Olfactics – smell
• Artifacts – clothes, jewelry, glasses
• Proxemics – how close we get

20. Nonverbal Mindset
• Be mindful of your
nonverbal communication
• Be mindful of other’s
nonverbal communication
• Discuss how you can be
more mindful when
communicating with
others.

21. Objectives you should
know
1. Describe the principles of verbal
communication.
2. Demonstrate how to use verbal
messages effectively.
3. Explain how communication can be
impacted by the type of language used.
4. Describe the functions served by
nonverbal communication.
5. Identify the different types of nonverbal
communication.
6. Describe how to effectively send, receive,
and interpret nonverbal communication.
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