MODULE 2 FORMS AND CONTEXT OF COMMUNICATION

Unit 1 Verbal Communication

Unit 2 Non-Verbal Communication

Unit 3 Intra and Interpersonal Communication

Unit 4 Group and Public Communication

Unit 5 Cross Culture/International Communication

UNIT 1 VERBAL COMMUNICATION

CONTENTS

1.0Introduction

2.0Objectives

3.0Main Content

3.1Oral Communication

3.2Written Communication

4.0Conclusion

5.0Summary

6.0Tutor-Marked Assignment

7.0References/Further Readings

1.0INTRODUCTION

This unit examines the two major components of Verbal communication. They are:

1.Oral (speech) communication and;

2.Written communication

2.0OBJECTIVES

At the end of this unit, you should be able to:

∙understand what verbal communication is and what it is not

∙understand the advantages and disadvantages of written communication

∙understand the advantages and disadvantages of oral communication.

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3.0MAIN CONTENT

There are basically two forms of communicationverbal and non-verbal communication. Also, there are two major components of verbal communication. They are:

1.Oral (speech) communication and;

2.Written communication

3.1Oral Communication

Succintly, oral communication - means communication by word of mouth. This is the primary form of human communication. Speaking is natural and consequently, every child with no physical problem normally acquires the speech form used around him. It is the use of spoken language that gave humans a great advantage over the animals.

Many civilizations thrived basically on oral communication before the advent of writing. Even today, there are still many ethnic groups and tribes whose languages have not been reduced to writing. Oral communication is the most commonly used of the various forms of communication, and it pervades all strata of every society.

Types of Oral communication

The Free Dictionary defines oral communication as follows:

1.Speech communication, spoken communication, spoken language, voice communication, language, speech language, linguistic communication jointly define as a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols.

2.Auditory communication - communication that relies on hearing.

3.Orthoepy, pronunciation - the way a word or a language is customarily spoken; "the pronunciation of Chinese is difficult for foreigners"; "that is the correct pronunciation".

4.Conversation - the use of speech for informal exchange of views

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5.Discussion - an exchange of views on some topic; "we had a good discussion"; "we had a word or two about it".

6.Locution, saying, expression - a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations; "pardon the expression".

7.Non-standard speech - speech that differs from the usually accepted, easily recognizable speech of native adult members of a speech community.

8.Idiolect - the language or speech of one individual at a particular period in life.

9.Monologue - a long utterance by one person (especially one that prevents others from participating in the conversation).

10.Magic spell, magical spell, charm, spell - a verbal formula believed to have magical force; "he whispered a spell as he moved his hands"; "inscribed around its base is a charm in Balinese"

11.Dictation - speech intended for reproduction in writing.

12.Monologue, soliloquy - speech you make to yourself

Advantages of Oral Communication

1.It is a learnable and improvable human activity.

2.It is a more accurate reflection of thought and attitude of the speaker.

3.It creates and sustains warm, interpersonal relationships.

4.It combines sight and sound, thus enabling participants to benefit from both verbal and non-verbal stimulus.

5.It can satisfy man’s needs and desires (wants) more quickly than writing or gestures.

6.It allows for instantaneous exchange of ideas, information, opinions, feelings and attitudes.

7.It enables participants to seek immediate clarification whenever in doubt of the meaning being negotiated.

8.It provides for instantaneous feedback, thereby making it possible for

the participants to assess the success, or failure, of their

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communication efforts and so decide whether or not to modify their needs of communication interaction.

Disadvantages of Oral Communication

1.It lacks permanence.

2.It does not allow participants’ thought to crystalise, thus resulting in imprecise communication and even outright errors which could be avoided in written communication.

3.There is possibility of distortion of meaning.

4.It can easily be denied.

5.It has little weight as contractual evidence.

6.It is usually not admissible in evidence in the law court.

SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 1

The engagement of mouth and tongue is very crucial to oral communication. Discuss

3.2Written Communication

Written Communication could be simply defined as communication by means of written symbols (either printed or handwritten). Writing as a system of communication is an offshoot of speech; that is, we have the spoken language before writing. While speech is natural, writing has to be taught and learnt accordingly. Besides, there is no language that exists in written form without a spoken form.

Types of Written Communication

1.Black and white, written language communication - something that is communicated by or to or between people or groups.

2.Folio, leaf - a sheet of any written or printed material (especially in a manuscript or book)

3.Transcription, written text - something written, especially copied from one medium to another, as a typewritten version of dictation.

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4.Writing - letters or symbols that are written or imprinted on a surface to represent the sounds or words of a language; "he turned the paper over so the writing wouldn't show"; "the doctor's writing was illegible"

5.Piece of writing, written material, writing - the work of a writer; anything expressed in letters of the alphabet (especially when considered from the point of view of style and effect); "the writing in her novels is excellent"; "that editorial was a fine piece of writing"

6.Writings - (usually plural) the collected work of an author; "the idea occurs with increasing frequency in Hemingway's writings".

7.Prescription - written instructions from a physician or dentist to a druggist concerning the form and dosage of a drug to be issued to a given patient.

8.Prescription - written instructions for an optician on the lenses for a given person.

9.Reading material, reading - written material intended to be read; "the teacher assigned new readings"; "he bought some reading material at the airport".

10.Correspondence - communication by the exchange of letters

11.Code, codification - a set of rules or principles or laws (especially written ones)

12.Print - the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication; "I want to see it in print"

Advantages of Written Communication

1.It provides opportunities for record keeping.

2.It is amenable to conveying complex messages, information, and ideals as well as explaining difficult process.

3.It can be reproduced through various reprographic processes and dispatched to widely scattered receivers.

4.It provides avenues through which oral transaction can be clarified, analysed and confirmed.

5.It provides a basis for contractual agreements.

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