INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

COLLEGE OF ARTS, SCIENCES AND PEDAGOGY

Languages Department

PURCOM
Purposive Communication

Prepared by:

Greece M. Ibañez
INSTRUCTOR

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 Cor. Leon Kilat & P. del Rosario, Sts., Cebu City, Philippines

Week 4: The Functions of Verbal and Non-verbal in Various and Multicultural

Contexts

Introduction:
All humans can communicate in an effective and appropriate way through
spoken language, nonverbal actions and symbols. Verbal communication is
composed by sounds, words and language which has a direct relationship with
culture. Nonverbal communication is defined as “those actions and attributes that
have socially shared meaning, are intentionally sent or interpreted as intentional,
are consciously sent or consciously received, and have the potential for feedback
from the receiver.” Nonverbal communication plays different functions in order to
convey personal identity, express relationships, replace, emphasize or repeat a
statement, help to relay awkward messages, regulate interactions, displaying
emotions and finally it is used in rituals. There is a strong connection between
language and nonverbal codes in order to create an effective communication, since
they both share symbols and behaviors learnt over time since primary socialization.

Discussion:
Types of Nonverbal Communication
The many different types of nonverbal communication or body language include:
• Facial Expressions
The human face is extremely expressive, able to convey countless emotions
without saying a word. And unlike some forms of nonverbal communication,
facial expressions are universal. The facial expressions for happiness, sadness,
anger, surprise, fear, and disgust are the same across cultures.
• Body Movement and Posture
Consider how your perceptions of people are affected by the way they sit,
walk, stand, or hold their head. The way you move and carry yourself
communicates a wealth of information to the world. This type of nonverbal
communication includes your posture, bearing, stance, and the subtle
movements you make.

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• Gestures
Gestures are woven into the fabric of our daily lives. You may wave, point,
beckon, or use your hands when arguing or speaking animatedly, often
expressing yourself with gestures without thinking. However, the meaning of
some gestures can be very different across cultures. While the OK sign made
with the hand, for example, conveys a positive message in English-speaking
countries, it’s considered offensive in countries such as Germany, Russia, and
Brazil. So, it’s important to be careful of how you use gestures to avoid
misinterpretation.
• Eye Contact
Since the visual sense is dominant for most people, eye contact is an
especially important type of nonverbal communication. The way you look at
someone can communicate many things, including interest, affection, hostility,
or attraction. Eye contact is also important in maintaining the flow of
conversation and for gauging the other person’s interest and response.
• Touch
We communicate a great deal through touch. Think about the very different
messages given by a weak handshake, a warm bear hug, a patronizing pat on the
head, or a controlling grip on the arm, for example.
• Space
Have you ever felt uncomfortable during a conversation because the other
person was standing too close and invading your space? We all have a need for
physical space, although that need differs depending on the culture, the situation,
and the closeness of the relationship. You can use physical space to
communicate many different nonverbal messages, including signals of intimacy
and affection, aggression or dominance.
• Voice
It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it. When you speak, other people
“read” your voice in addition to listening to your words. Things they pay
attention to include your timing and pace, how loud you speak, your tone and
inflection, and sounds that convey understanding, such as “ahh” and “uh-huh.”
Think about how your tone of voice can indicate sarcasm, anger, affection, or
confidence

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1. Self-Assessment: Preparing to Communicate Across Cultures
Directions: Assess your personal preparedness to communicate effectively
with persons of different cultures by labelling each as T for True or F for
False.
____a. I enjoy communicating with persons unlike me as much as with
persons like me.
____b. I am equally sensitive to the concerns of all groups in our multi-
cultural society.
____c. I can tell when persons from other cultures do not understand me
or are confused by my action.
____d. I do not fear interacting with persons from minority groups any more
than I fear interacting with persons from the dominant culture.
____e. Persons from other cultures have the right to be angry at members
of my culture.
____f. Persons from other cultures who do not actively participate in a
conversation, dialogue, or debate with others may act that way because of
their culture’s rules.
____g. How I handle disagreements with persons from other cultures
depends on the situation and culture they are from.
____h. My culture is not superior to other cultures.
____i. I am knowledgeable of how to behave with persons of other cultures.
____j. I respect the communication rules of culture other than my own.

2. Answer the following:

a. Why can words heal or harm? How may either one happen?
b. Which is more difficult to interpret, verbal or nonverbal? Why?
c. How may a person’s needs affect with his communication with others?
d. React to this sentence: Once you have uttered something, you can never
take it back and its effect remains.”

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Week 5: Local and Global Communication in Multicultural Settings

Introduction:
To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the
way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to your
communication with others.
-Tony Tobbins-
Discussion:
Determine the message of this picture. What does it tell us?

The picture above mirrors globalization. Globalization is the increasing

economic, political, and cultural integration, and interdependence of diverse
cultures -- the worldwide integration of humanity. Globalization requires that we
pay attention to the related concept-diversity-the recognition and valuing of
difference encompassing such factors as age, language, gender, race, ethnicity,
ability, religion, education, marital status, sexual orientation, and income.
Effective communication and the ability to understand cultural differences
are skills that are deficient in today’s society.
Culture is the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that
characterizes and institution or organization. It also refers to the set of values,
conventions, or social practices associated with a particular field, activity, or societal
characteristic. When a person from one culture sends a message to a person from

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another culture, cross-cultural communication takes place. Cross-cultural
communication continually involves understanding caused by misperception,
misinterpretation, and misevaluation.
Cultural background affects how individuals view the world, what they
value, and how they interact with others.
The Core Cultural Dimensions:
a. Race and Ethnicity
b. Gender Roles
c. Age Diversity
d. Physical Disability

1. With the topic discussed, answer these questions:

a. Do you feel prepared to communicate in a society that is a nation of
minorities? Why?
b. Do you have the understandings and sensitivity you need to interact in a
global community in which other persons may look, act, and think
differently than you do? Explain.
c. Are you ready to embrace diversity? How?

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Week 6: Local and Global Communication in Multicultural Settings

Read Flight from Conversation by Sherry Turkle at

https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/22/opinion/sunday/the-flight-from-
conversation.html?pagewanted=all
1. Answer the following questions about Flight from Conversation:
a. What is the main idea?
b. How does the author support the main idea?
c. What is the difference between conversation and connection based on
the article?
d. What does being alone together mean? Cite specific instances.
e. What does Flight from Conversation do to us?
f. What does the writer suggest so we can make room for conversations?
g. What new culture is introduced by technology?
h. Does communication become more effective with this new culture?
i. Explain the line “We expect more from technology and less from one
another.”
j. How do you see our society ten years from now as a user of technology?

2. Write a reaction paper about Flight from Conversation.

Be mindful of these guidelines in preparing the reaction paper:
Introduction: (1st paragraph)
Sentence 1: Title, author, publication/ source of the material
Sentence 2, 3, 4: Brief summary of the material
Sentence 5: Statement that makes your opinion (focus
statement)
Body: (2nd paragraph)
How do I feel about what I read?
Do I agree or disagree with the author/ writer?
Are there points I agree or disagree with? Why or why not?
Can I identify myself with the situation?
How is the material related to my life and my experiences?

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Conclusion: (3rd paragraph)
Restatement of what you have said in the paper or the overall
reaction
Criteria:
Organization – 40 pts.
Grammar – 30 pts.
Writing Conventions – 30 pts.
100 pts.
Note: Use short bond paper (1-2 pages), spacing 1.5 bet. sentences,
double space bet. paragraphs, Arial 12, black ink, 1-inch margin both
sides

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