Language and
Nonverbal
Communication
“I’m sorry, but your position
has been redeployed…”
Initial Thoughts on Language
There is no transparent language, it is
all a process of translation
 Our understanding of language is
hampered by the container fallacy--we
treat words as if they contain meaning,
in fact, people contain meanings
 Meanings can be denotative or
connotative

Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 1118, F07
Jargon
Defined as the language of a
specialized community--computer techs,
pilots, skateboarders, etc.
 Advantages
--promotes efficiency
--promotes group cohesion
 Disadvantages
--the problem of mystification

Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 1118, F07
Euphemism
defined as the intentional or unintentional
use of words to mask the potential
emotional impact of language
 examples
--death
--losing your job
 potential impact--far less shared meaning

Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 1118, F07
Verbal vs. Nonverbal

Compared to Verbal Communication,
Nonverbal is:
Less discrete
More vulnerable to misunderstanding
More likely to be context dependent
More likely to contain the truth
Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 1118, F07
Classes of Nonverbal Communication
Kinesics--movement, generally
 Oculesics--eye movement
 Objectics (Artifacts)--clothing, jewelry
 Vocalics--vocal qualities
 Chronemics--time
 Proxemics--space
 Haptics--touch

Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 1118, F07
Objectics
 Dress
for Success and other lies
 Casual days and what they mean
 Policies on jewelry and piercings
 Cubicle decoration and nesting
Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 1118, F07
Office Proxemics
 Personal
space and distance
 Office size
 Office orientation
Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 1118, F07
Chronemics and Vocalics
 Time
as an arbitrary human creation
 Monochronic and polychronic
cultures
 Vocal qualities and the latent
message
 Speed, pitch, breathiness, nasality,
etc.
Prof. Nick Burnett, ComS 103, Sec. 1118, F07