Language and Nonverbal Communication

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Language and Nonverbal Communication

• Im sorry, but your position has been
  redeployed

2
Initial Thoughts on Language

• There is no transparent language, it is all a
  process of translation
• Our understanding of language is hampered by the
  container fallacy--we treat words as if they
  contain meaning, in fact, people contain meanings
• Meanings can be denotative or connotative

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Jargon

• Defined as the language of a specialized
  community--computer techs, pilots, skateboarders,
  etc.
• Advantages
• --promotes efficiency
• --promotes group cohesion
• Disadvantages
• --the problem of mystification

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Euphemism

• defined as the intentional or unintentional use
  of words to mask the potential emotional impact
  of language
• examples
• --death
• --losing your job
• potential impact--far less shared meaning

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Verbal vs. Nonverbal

• Compared to Verbal Communication, Nonverbal is
• Less discrete
• More vulnerable to misunderstanding
• More likely to be context dependent
• More likely to contain the truth

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Classes of Nonverbal Communication

• Kinesics--movement, generally
• Oculesics--eye movement
• Objectics (Artifacts)--clothing, jewelry
• Vocalics--vocal qualities
• Chronemics--time
• Proxemics--space
• Haptics--touch

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Objectics

• Dress for Success and other lies
• Casual days and what they mean
• Policies on jewelry and piercings
• Cubicle decoration and nesting

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Office Proxemics

• Personal space and distance
• Office size
• Office orientation

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Chronemics and Vocalics

• Time as an arbitrary human creation
• Monochronic and polychronic cultures
• Vocal qualities and the latent message
• Speed, pitch, breathiness, nasality, etc.