Chapter I.

Language and Communication

Lesson I. Nature of Language

What is Language?

Linguists agree that a language can only be called a language if it has a system of rules
(also known as grammar), a sound system (phonology), and a vocabulary (lexicon).
These are the requirements for identifying a means of communication as a language.
When people use a language, they can understand each other because they belong to
the same speech community. They can understand each other because in their speech
community, people share the same set of rules in language system. While growing up,
people acquire the languages used by those in the community. This is the process of
language acquisition. The languages acquired while growing up are known as mother
tongues, which may also be referred to as first languages. People discover later on
that other languages are needed for various reasons. These other languages may be
referred to as second languages. People learn these languages by studying formally in
school or informally on their own. This is the process of language learning. What
happens if you, for example, who speak a mother tongue and English, go to work in
China where residents speak Mandarin and a little bit of English? Will you be able to
communicate with the Chinese? The answer is yes. Though it will be a challenge for you
and for your Chinese friends to try to understand each other, eventually, you will be able
to communicate as you slowly learn each other’s languages. What is happening here is
called language contact. The result such contact may be a new form of language. It is
possible that in your attempt to communicate with each other, you and your Chinese
friend will produce a new language form that is understandable to both of you. Your own
languages my also change as you constantly interact and communicate with each other.
Thus, language change is the result of language contact.

Lesson II. Types of Communication

Communication: What is it?
Depending on what is being considered, communication as term takes on different
contexts resulting in people having different views on communication types. Since
communication is generally defined as the exchange of thoughts, ideas, concepts, and
views between and among two or more people, various contexts come on play. Context
is the circumstance or environment in which communication takes place. Such
circumstance may include the physical or actual setting, the value positions of a
speaker/listener, and the relevance or appropriateness of a message conveyed. It focuses
on certain communication processes and even groupings of people that constitute a
communication situation.
Different contexts can impact one’s communication. Each communication type is
governed by a particular circumstance. Thus, it is essential to pay attention to the
interplay of factors surrounding the context of communication which may be physical,
cultural, social, and psychological in nature. Communication may then be classified
according to: (1) mode, (2) context, and (3) purpose and style.

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Types of Communication According to Mode
A message can be conveyed via these types: verbal – non-verbal and visual. Though
communication is often thought of as verbal, the non-verbal mode is equally important
as it enhances one’s message.

Verbal – Non-Verbal
Effective communication calls for the blending of these two types. One cannot be
separated from the other. For instance, door-to-door salespersons who demonstrate
product knowledge can only be effective if they know how to properly punctuate what
they say with proper gestures and facial expressions. Their communication with the
customer starts upon greeting him or her with a welcoming smile then assessing customer
needs and answering customer queries enhanced by gestures and a friendly, happy, and
pleasant disposition. It is only through this mode that salespeople with excellent
communication skills are able to provide the best information needed, thereby convincing
the client to patronize their product.

Visual
Visual Communication, on the other hand, is the type of communication that uses visuals
to convey information and/or messages. Some examples are signs, symbols, imagery,
maps, graphs, charts, diagrams, pictograms, photos, illustrations, drawings and even
various forms of electronic communication. Some electronic communication symbols or
images are the emojis, emoticons, and animations among others to convey the write’s
emotions or clarify the intent of the message sender. These are achieved through digital
mode or text.

Visual communication now occupies an important place in any work environment. For
instance, during presentations, instructors, managers, doctors, lawyers, legislators, and
the like use visuals to transfer data into digestible information. What makes visual
communication even more advantageous is that it makes use of technology that provides
apps (applications), videos, and images that rely less on printed word making
presentations more interesting.

Types of Communication According to Context

In this sub-section, context in communication is referred to as a composite of people
interacting with each other. Communication may also be classified according to context:
(1) intrapersonal, (2) interpersonal, (3) extended, (4) organizational and (5)
intercultural.

Intrapersonal Communication
The Latin prefix intra – means within or inside. Intrapersonal
communication then means talking to oneself. Some label is
as self or inner talk, inner monologue, or inner dialogue.
Psychologists call it with other names such as self-
verbalization or self-statement.

Self-talk can be advantageous as it can enable you to practice what you ought to say in
times when you lack the motivation and confidence to speak. One magic statement that
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you can try is: “I can do it!” Saying this over and over again will give you positive
reinforcement that you can do things courageously and that it is not impossible to do so.
Furthermore, as you respond to life’s challenges, you may also find yourself verbalizing
your thoughts and feelings. It is then important that as you introspect, you are able to
improve o your decisions in life and likewise enhance your self-worth as a person.

Interpersonal Communication
As opposed to intra, the Latin prefix inter – means between, among and together. An
interactive exchange takes place as interpersonal communication takes place. However,
as it occurs, a transaction does not necessarily take place since it can only be a simple
interaction such as greetings, getting to know a person, or ordinary conversations that
happen between or among the inter-actors. This may occur in dyads or small groups,
also known as a group communication.
A communication situation is interpersonal if it is meant to establish or deepen one’s
relationship with others. However, if the objective is to achieve something at the end of
the conversation, it becomes transactional. While the former is characterized by less
seriousness and formality, the latter is formal and profound. Whereas interpersonal talks
are meant for maintaining social relationships, transactional talks aim to accomplish or
resolve something at the end of the conversation.

Extended Communication
This involves the use of electronic media. Unlike before when it only called for the use of
television and radio, nowadays, the description of extended communication may be
expanded as to include tele, audio, or phone conferencing; video conferencing, Skype
calls; and other technological means. For an instance in e-conference, participants may
not be physically present but are still able to track down the lectures and participate
actively because of the mass articulation and dissemination of information.

Since extended communication is public in nature, speakers are expected to be prepared

when they speak, making their language more formal. With the use of electronic media,
messages are transmitted quickly. With extended communication, your own thinking,
behavior, and attitude may be influenced by other people and you may be influenced by
other people and you may be persuaded to take the views you hear. It is important that
you weigh what you hear an assess hem against those beliefs that you hold onto so you
do not get easily swayed by other people’s convictions.

Organizational Communication

For an organization to be successful, a system of communication should be put in place.

A set of rules or standards for communication protocol should be made clear so that
interaction patterns are established. On the part of the individual, you should be equipped
with the needed oral and written communication skills that the organization expects you
to possess.

There are two types of organizational structure: (1) formal and (2) informal. Formal
structure allows communication to take place via designed channels of message flow
between positions in the organization. This may make us of four approaches: (1)

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downward, (2) upward, (3) horizontal and (4) crosswise. As the term implies, downward
communication is the type that flows from upper to lower positions, i.e. president to a
manager or supervisor, a manager to an ordinary staff. The flow of communication is top-
down or from a superior to a subordinate, usually asking certain individuals to perform a
certain task.

Conversely, message transmission in upward communication is bottom-up in which

subordinates send communication to their superiors/bosses bearing their views/feedback
on organizational policies, issues related to their jobs, and the like. Horizontal
communication is lateral in approach as it takes place among people belonging to the
same level but coming from different units or departments or units to facilitate
performance of tasks through proper coordination. Crosswise approach is diagonal in
nature as employees from different units or departments working at various levels
communicate with each other.

Informal communication, on the other hand, comes from unofficial channels of message
flow. Also known as ‘grapevine’, messages coming from the different levels of the
organization is transmitted. This occurs due to the dissatisfaction of some employees,
accompanied by uncertainty, such as superiors playing favorites and unfavorable or
unacceptable company rules and regulations. Some employees even resort to baseless
gossips and rumors that they spread like wild fire. Tracing the origin of rumor is next to
impossible. In fact, when people are confronted, they impute the blame to others so they
can get out of the mess quickly.

Intercultural Communication

As the term implies, it is communication between or among people having different

linguistic, religious, ethnic, social, and professional backgrounds. Even gender difference
affects communication. Individuals having different orientations communicate and
interpret messages differently. This particularly happens with non-verbal communication.
For instance, Australians consider eye contact as important in assessing the sincerity of
a person while for Indians, looking straight to the eyes of a person while talking is
inappropriate. This does not, however, mean that they are dishonest or insincere.
Moreover, Indians interpret waving of hands from side to side as no or go away while it
means hello to Westerners. For Filipinos, twitching of lips means to refer something or
someone. When someone asks: “Where is my book?” instead of responding: “There it
is,” the response may be twitching or puckering lips. When seen by people from other
cultures, such facial expression may be taken as “seduction.” It is important then not to
be judgmental or to rush into interpretations as cultures sometimes vary enormously.

Similarly, linguistic differences are of the essence. With the advent of World Englishes,
different cultures develop different lexicon peculiar only to the speech community. In the
Philippines, a local variety of English called Philippine English has been developed which
has introduced lexical innovation, not found or used in other varieties, such as thrice,
batchmates, CR (comfort room), solons, barangay captain, and high blood. Eve in terms

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of pronunciation, word are pronounced differently by Filipinos, which, to some, are
considered erroneous. For instance, these supposedly pronounced with a hard /th/
represented with a /ð/ is pronounced instead with a /d/ by the average Filipino since hard
/th/ is not part of the Filipino phonology.

Types of Communication According to Purpose and Style

Formal communication employs setting and the mode of delivered orally or in written
form. Lectures, public talks/ speeches research and project proposals, reports, and
business letters, among others are all considered formal situations and writings. Note
that while lectures and speeches are delivered orally, the texts have been thought out
carefully and written well before they are delivered. To inform, to entertain, and to
persuade are the main objectives of this type of communication.

Informal communication certainly does not employ formal language. It involves personal
and ordinary conversations with friends, family members, or acquaintances about
anything under the sun. The mode may be oral as in face –to – face, ordinary or everyday
talks and phone calls or written as in the case of e-mail messages, personal notes, letters,
or text messages. The purpose is simply to socialize and enhance relationships.

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