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5: Verbal Communication

Last updated

Dec 6, 2024
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- 4.5: Perception Checking
- 5.1: The Nature of Language

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“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Most of us have heard these lyrics from the old children’s rhyme, yet assertions such as these are problematic because names and words have tremendous influence on our lives. Words are not just used to communicate content- but feelings, attitudes, judgments, values, and perspectives. In this chapter, we will explore the verbal symbols- words and language- that we use to communicate with others. Specifically, we will cover what verbal communication is, its characteristics and function, and how to improve verbal communication competence.

Image 1: © Drew Fairweather/TootpasteForDinner.com, printed with permission for use in Interpersonal Communication Abridged Textbook (I.C.A.T.)

Learning Objectives

How is meaning conveyed through verbal messages?
How can we improve communication competence with verbal strategies?

Successful students will be able to:

define verbal communication
explain how meaning is conveyed through verbal messages
describe the characteristics and functions of verbal communication
apply strategies to improve message clarity
analyze verbal messages and describe how meaning depends on the context (physical, relational, individual, and/or cultural)
recognize the biases words can communicate and the power of words in communicative interactions

5.1: The Nature of Language
Our language is symbolic, meaning it is made up of symbols. A symbol is something that stands for something else. The symbols that we use stand in for something else, like a physical object or idea, they do not actually correspond to the thing in any direct way. The use of symbolic communication is uniquely human, and it allows us to have abstract conversations about things that are not in our immediate reality.
5.2: Characteristics of Verbal Communication
5.3: Language Barriers
We assume that because we have been communicating our whole lives that we have attained skills. However, communication does not mean that we simply get “better” with experience, without knowledge and practicing specific skills. In fact, when employers describe their ideal candidate, “communication skills” is on the top of the list. Therefore, it is important for us to learn about barriers we experience, skills that will improve our communication competence, and putting those skills to practice.
5.4: Language of Responsibility (You vs. I Language)
We assume that because we have been communicating our whole lives that we have attained skills. However, communication does not mean that we simply get “better” with experience, without knowledge and practicing specific skills. In fact, when employers describe their ideal candidate, “communication skills” is on the top of the list. Therefore, it is important for us to learn about barriers we experience, skills that will improve our communication competence, and putting those skills to practice.

Contributors and Attributions

Sections 5.0, 5.4.1, & 5.4.2: Interpersonal Communication Abridged Textbook (I.C.A.T.); Central New Mexico Community College; 2019; CC BY NC SA 4.0
Sections 5.1.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.3, & 5.4.3: adapted from Communication in the Real World: An Introduction to Communication Studies; University of Minnesota; 2016; CC BY NC SA 4.0
Sections 5.2.1, 5.2.4, & 5.3.1- 5.3.3: adapted from Survey of Communication Studies; 2018; CC BY SA 3.0

Learning Objectives

Contributors and Attributions

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