Page 26 - DENG102_COMMUNICATION_SKILLS_II

Unit 1: Speaking Skills

Mixed Signals: Very often problems arise because of ‘mixed signals – saying one thing in one way notes
and using words that convey the opposite meaning. It should be our constant effort to make sure
that the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ of our message are in harmony. As receivers, we should concentrate
on how the message is sent and the meaning of the words. All communication takes place within
a matrix of role-relationships, particular contexts, at particular times, in a particular language
or a dialect of that language, at regional, national or international levels, and so on. All these
factors influence the paralinguistic character of the communication. If the signals get mixed up,
the intended message will not be conveyed, or will be wrongly or inadequately interpreted.

Any properly educated person is careful about his voice quality, stress, production of vowel and
consonant sounds, consonant-clusters, sound in connected speech, suitably spaced pauses and so
on. There must be consistency between what is intended and what is conveyed.

sign language

Communication is a process involving the use of mutually understood signs/symbols between the
sender and the receiver of a message or piece of information. Language is the most sophisticated
or systematic set of symbols. The evolution of any language takes a long time, normally running
in centuries. But communication has always been taking place.
From time immemorial man has been using signs and symbols mutually understood between
at least two persons, and more usually among people belonging to a group or tribe, or trade.
These signs, symbols, signals and indicators have generally been of two types-visual and audio
or sound signals. Smell, touch and taste also communicate because sensory perception and
impressions are a necessary part of human existence.

Did u know? But the most powerful or effective of them is the visual element. That is why
we have the Chinese proverb, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. The reason is that
we take much of our information – more than 50 percent – through the gateway of our
eyes.
Visual Signs

Regarding the importance of visual element in communication, Lesikar and Pettit say, “As we
know from our study of communication theory, words are imprecise conveyors of meaning.
Thus, it is little wonder that we frequently have difficulty in communicating through words…
You will need to use pictures of some kind to help communicate your information.”
l How effectively pictures communicate becomes clear from the paintings, murals and
engravings found on the walls of ancient caves, temples and such other buildings. They
tell us a lot about the tribes or races or rulers or traders, their religion, their hunting or other
adventurous deeds, their art and so on. Their symbolic and communicative value has been
a subject of serious study.

l The tradition of drawing pictures for communicative purpose continues. Posters and
pictures-big and small, real-life drawings as well as cartoons/caricatures, statues and
effigies are freely used for general information as also for business purposes. Everybody
is familiar with the picture of ghastly, skeletal paws symbolizing the deadly, grip of drugs
and so on.

l Maps and diagrams are an essential part of a book of geography, science, economics and
history in the same way as no pamphlet of tourism and hotel industry, oil refinery or motor
company is complete without nice-looking colorful photographs.

lovely Professional university 21