Page 24 - DENG102_COMMUNICATION_SKILLS_II

Unit 1: Speaking Skills

Para language notes

Closer to actual verbal (oral) communication, and always accompanying body language,
is paralanguage. It is non-verbal because it does not involve words. But without it words do
not convey their intended meaning, ‘Para’ means ‘like’. Hence, ‘para language’ literally means
‘like language’ and ‘paralinguistic’ is the systematic study of how a speaker verbalizes his
words/speech. It is defined as “a type of non-verbal communication that includes articulation,
pronunciation, rate, pitch, volume, pauses and other vocal qualities. While verbal communication
consists of the ‘what’ or the content of words, paralanguage involves the ‘how’ of a speaker’s
voice or the way in which the speaker speaks. On careful observation and analysis we find that a
speaker intentionally as well as unintentionally uses a vast range of hints and signals”.
If someone asks his friend to go to movie or to a particular restaurant for dinner – one may
respond, ‘Yes, I would love to go’ but let his tone of voice betrays his words and convey that he
has little or no interest in going. The reaction of his friend to the response will communicate the
message is right direction. At times people mean to communicate a particular message through
the use of paralanguage.

Example: The phrase “I would like to help you” can convey several meanings, depending
upon the para language employed. By changing emphasis on each of the words of this sentence,
different meaning may be drawn.

Voice
The first signal we receive or use is our voice. Everybody knows how important voice is. It tells us
so much about the speaker’s sex, background, education, training and temperament. There are all
kinds of voices – clear, musical, raucous, cultivated, pleasant, unpleasant and so on. Unless damaged
by some injury to the vocal cords or some neurological problem, the human voice normally does a
satisfactory job. In other words it conveys the meaning of the message. In certain jobs it is absolutely
necessary for the applicant or employee to have a clear and pleasant voice. For example, jobs
involving the use of telephone, announcing, tape-recording etc. require very clear voice.

The message, however, may not be effectively conveyed if we do not take care of the following
points in the use of our voice:
1. Pitch Variation: Most of us introduce wide variations in pitch while speaking. It is
necessary to catch the listener’s attention and to keep him interested in us. Those who
speak in monotones (single tone, without variation) fail to keep the listener’s attention.
That is why the word ‘monotonous’ has come to be used as a synonym for ‘boring’. Many
speakers are not aware of this weakness on their part. Once they become aware of it, the
problem can be solved.

A high pitch may indicate nervousness, anxiety, tension, fear, surprise, dynamism, anger,
joy, cheerfulness, or impatience. A low pitch may show affection, sadness, boredom,
pleasantness, intimacy or empathy.
2. Speaking speed: Fluency in a language is not the same thing as the speed of speaking. We
do, however, speak at different speeds on different occasions and while conveying different
parts of message. As a general rule we should present the easy parts of a message at a brisk
pace because it is likely to be understood easily and soon. On the other hand, the difficult,
complicated, highly technical part of information should be conveyed at a slower pace.
3. Pause: The pace or speed of speaking is also accompanied by pause. We cannot, and should
not, go on speaking without pausing voluntarily or involuntarily. But the pauses have to be

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