College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
Name: ______________________________________ Course & Year: ______________
Module III
:
Intercultural Communication
Lesson 1
:
Communication and Globalization
Course Title
:
Purposive Communication
Course Number
:
GE 106
Course Description :
Purposive Communication is a three-unit course that develops
students’ communication competence and enhances their cultural and
intercultural awareness through multimodal tasks that provide them
opportunities for communicating effectively and appropriately to a
multicultural audience in a local or global context.
Total Learning Time :
3 units (3 hours lecture per week)
Pre-requisites
None
:
Overview
:
In this chapter, we will have discussion on Communication and
Globalization, and Varieties and Registers of Spoken and Written Language. You will be exploring text
reflecting different cultures and discuss also some culturally appropriate terms, expressions, and images
(sensitivity to gender, race, class, etc).
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this module, the student should be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge about globalization as an economic phenomenon; and
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of Globalization on communication.
Indicative Content: This module discusses at least the following topics: What is Globalization
and its Impacts to Communication, Intercultural Communication, Varieties of English and
Language Registers of English, Cultural Text, Formal and Informal Language.
Page
‘Globalization’ and ‘global’ are terms we often encounter today. These terms are associated with
realities outside the territories of nation-states. All countries are engaged in globalization. Very few (if any)
1
Discussion:
societies are unaffected by this phenomenon. Because of this we need to understand exactly what it is, and
more importantly, how it impacts communication.
What is globalization any way?
By Alex Gray ( World Economic Forum, 2017)
(1) In simple terms, globalization is the process by which people and goods move easily across
borders. Principally, it is an economic concept – the integration of markets, trade and investments with few
barriers to slow the flow of products and services between nations. There is also a cultural element, as
ideas and traditions are traded and assimilated.
(2) Globalization has brought many benefits to many people. But not to everyone.
STORM IN A COFFEE CUP
(3) To help explain the economic side of globalization, let’s take a look at the well-known coffee
chain Starbucks.
(4) The first Starbucks outlet opened its doors in 1971 in the city of Seattle. Today it has more than
15, 000 stores in 50 countries. These days we can find Starbucks anywhere, we there Australia, Cambodia,
Chile, or Dubai and even in Iloilo City. It is what we call a truly globalized company.
(5) And for many suppliers and jobseekers, not to mention coffee-drinkers, this was good thing.
The company was purchasing247 million kilograms of unroasted coffee from 29 countries. Through its
stores and purchases, it provided jobs and income for hundreds of thousands of people all over the world.
(6) But then disaster struck. In 2012, Startbucks made headlines after a Reuters investigation
showed that the chain hadn’t paid much tax to the UK government, despite having almost a thousand coffee
shops in the country and earning millions of pounds in profit there.
(7) As a multinational company, Startbucks, was able to use complex accounting rules that enabled
it to have profit earned in one country taxed in another. Because the latter country had a lower tax rate,
Starbucks benefited. Ultimately the British public missed out, as the government was raising less tax to
spend on improving their well-being.
HOW DID GLOBALIZATION HAPPEN?
Page
(9) One example is the Silk Road, when trade spread rapidly between China and Europe via an
overland route. Merchants carried goods for trade back and forth, trading silk as well as gems and spices
and, of course, coffee. ( In fact, the habit of drinking coffee in a social setting originates from a Turkish
custom, an example of how globalization can spread culture across borders.)
2
(8) We might think of globalization as a relatively new phenomenon, but it’s been around for
centuries.
WHAT DRIVW IT?
(10) Globalization has speeded up enourmosly over the last half-century, thanks to gret leaps in
technology.
(11) The internet has revolutionized connectivity and communication, and helped people share their
ideas much more widely, just as the invention of the printing press did in the 15th century. The advent of
email made communication faster than ever.
(12) The invention of enormous container ships helped too. In fact, improvements in transport
generally – faster ships, train an airplanes - have allowed us to move around the globe much more easily.
WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT IT?
(13) Globalization has led to millions of people being lifted out of poverty.
(14) For example, when a company like Starbucks buys coffee from farmers of Rwanda, it is
providing a livelihood and a benefit to the community as a whole. A multinational company’s presence
overseas contributes to those local economies because the company will invest in local resources, products
and services. Socially responsible corporations may even invest in medical and educational
Facilities.
(15) Globalization has not only allowed nations to trade with each other, but also to cooperate with
each other as never before. Take the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, for instance, where 195 countries
all agreed to work towards reducing their carbon emissions for the greater global good.
WHAT’S ABOUT IT?
(16) While some areas have flourished, others have floundered as jobs and commerce move
elsewhere. Steel companies in the UK, for example, once thrived, providing work for hundreds of thousands
of people. But when China began producing cheaper steel, steel plants in the UK cloed down and thousands
of jobs were lost.
(17) Every step forward in technology brings with it new dangers. Computers have vastly improved
our lives, but cyber criminals steal millions of pounds a year. Global wealth skyrocketed, but so has global
warming.
(18) While many have been lifted out of poverty, not everybody has benefited. Many argue that
globalization operates mostly in the interest of the richest countries, with most of the world’s collective
power profits flowing back to them and into the pockets of those who already own the most.
Page
(20) Basically done wisely (in the world of the International Monetary Fund) globalization could
lead to “unparalleled peace and prosperity.” Done poorly, “to disaster.”
3
(19) Although globalization is helping to create more wealth in developing countries, it is not
helping to close the gap between the world’s poorest and richest nations. Leading charity Oxfam says that
when corporations such as Starbucks can legally avoid paying tax, the global inequality worsens.
Comprehension Questions
The input above provides information about globalization – how it works, how it happens, and what
drives it, and what is good and bad about it. Check your understanding of the input by answering the
following questions:
1. What do the following words mean? Use the context clues from the text to determine the
meaning of the words.
a. Enabled
b. Enormously
c. Flourished
d. Floundered
2. What does the experience of Starbucks tells you about globalization?
3. What are the driving forces behind globalization?
4. What are the benefits of globalization?
5. What are the negative effects of globalization?
The Impact of Globalization on Communication
Page
4
As more people cross borders because of globalization, more language contact happens, making
communication more challenging. If possible access this video entitled The Effects of Globalization on
Global Communication by Nikolay Danev to supplement your knowledge about Globalization.
College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
Name: ____________________________________
Score : __________
Course & Year: _____________________________
Date Submitted: __________
Evaluation:
Read the following statements carefully. Decide if each statement is true or false. Write T on the
blank if the statement is true and F if it is false. If the statement is false, re-write or revise it to make it
true. Use the space provided after each statement. (Point system: 5 items x 5 each = 25 points)
Page
5
____________ 1. Globalization began after Internet was invented.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
____________ 2. All globalization processes are economic in nature.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
____________ 3. Because of globalization, modes and forms of communication have changed.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
____________ 4. One effect of globalization is deepening poverty.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
____________ 5. One effect of globalization is the rising cost of information technologies.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
SYNTHESIS
1. Globalization is essentially an economic phenomenon because it concerns with the
movement of people and products across national.
2. Because globalization moves people across borders, its effects are felt not only in the
economic terms, but in social and cultural aspects as well. Thus, globalization also impacts
communication.
References:
Madrunio, M .& Martin, I. (2018). Purposive Communication. Using English in
Multingual Contexts. Queson City, Philippines: C&E Publishing, Inc. ISBN 978-97198-0925-8
Africa, A. (2018). Purposive Communication In the Now. Mandaluyong City,
Philippines: Books Atbp. Publishing Corp. ISBN 978-621-409-091-4
Page
6
Uychoco, MT & Santos, ML. (2018). Communication for Society: Purposive
Communication. Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines: Rex Bookstore.
College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
Name: ______________________________________ Course & Year: ______________
Module III
:
Intercultural Communication
Lesson 2
:
Local and Global Communication in Multicultural Settings
Course Title
:
Purposive Communication
Course Number
:
GE 106
Course Description :
Purposive Communication is a three-unit course that develops
students’ communication competence and enhances their cultural and
intercultural awareness through multimodal tasks that provide them
opportunities for communicating effectively and appropriately to a
multicultural audience in a local or global context.
Total Learning Time :
3 units (3 hours lecture per week)
Pre-requisites
None
:
Overview
:
In this chapter, we will have discussion on Communication and
Globalization, and Varieties and Registers of Spoken and Written Language. You will be exploring text
reflecting different cultures and discuss also some culturally appropriate terms, expressions, and images
(sensitivity to gender, race, class, etc).
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this module, the student should be able to:
1. Demonstrate awareness and understanding of how cultural diversity affects communication;
and
2. Appreciate the benefits and challenges of cross-cultural communication.
Indicative Content: This module discusses at least the following topics: What is Globalization
and its Impacts to Communication, Intercultural Communication, Varieties of English and
Language Registers of English, Cultural Text, Formal and Informal Language.
Discussion:
Page
No matter where you are in the world, communication is important. But communicating across
cultures can be pretty hard. And I don't just mean that there's a language barrier, although that can be an
7
Intercultural Communication
issue. No, I mean that cultures actually have some very different ways of communicating. Some cultures
are informal, some cultures use a whole series of ritual greetings before having a conversation, and some
cultures consider it rude to show up to a meeting on time.
But what do all these cultures have in common? Well, for one, you can offend each of them if you don't
understand their communication practices. And we want to avoid that. So what do we do? Well, to put it
simply, we learn to communicate!
Intercultural Communication
So, we need to learn how to communicate all over again, just like when we were children. And just like
when we were children, this requires learning language as well as learning behavioral norms for good
communication. However, this will be a bit different since we're adults learning how to communicate in
someone else's culture, not our own.
Intercultural communication is the verbal and nonverbal interaction between people from different cultural
backgrounds. Basically, 'inter-' is a prefix that means 'between' and cultural means… well, from a culture,
so intercultural communication is the communication between cultures. Sometimes, this is used to describe
a single person trying to interact in a foreign environment but more often, it is a two-way street, where
people from both cultures are trying to improve their communication.
Now, if you want to learn about intercultural communication, it's important to understand what this is. But
it's also important to understand what it isn't. Intercultural communication is targeted at allowing for
positive and productive interaction. You are not joining this culture, you are not becoming a member of
another society, you are not abandoning your own culture. That would be assimilation and that's not what
we're after.
Intercultural communication is also not simply a language proficiency. Yes, communication requires the
ability to understand language, but just think about how much of your communication with even your own
friends is nonverbal: our body language, our attitudes, the rituals from hand-shaking to the stink eye. Some
researchers estimate that up to 93% of all human communication is nonverbal, although according to recent
studies, it's actually closer to 60%.
Page
(1) Communicating across cultures is challenging. Each cultures has set rules that its members take for
granted. Few of us are aware of our own cultural biases because cultural imprinting is begun at a
very early age. And while some of a culture’s knowledge, rules beliefs, values, phobias, and anxiety
are taught explicitly, most of the information is absorbed subconsciously.
(2) The challenge for multinational communication has never been greater. Worldwide business
organizations have discovered that intercultural communication is a subject of importance – not
just because of increased globalization, but also because their domestic workforce is growing more
and more diverse, ethnically and culturally.
8
Communicating Across Cutures
By Carol Kinsey Goman (2011)
(3) We are all individuals and no two people belonging to the same culture are guaranteed to respond
in exactly the same way. However, generalizations are valid to the extent that the provide clues on
what you will most likely encounter when dealing with members of particular culture.
In order to achieve cultural knowledge and backgrounds, their similarities and differences, and having the
sensitivity to consider them before making any bold business moves will always be an advantage to a
business organization wanting of continued relevance.
How do you then, as would-be professional, deal with diverse culture?
Trompenaars and Hampden (1997) reiterate that there are dimensions to recognizing cultural
diversity in national cultures and that the manner by which people respond to certain questions about
cultures are attributed to the uniqueness of their culture. In (2009), Duanmu and Geppert underscored
changes in these dimensions and listed them below:
1. Universalism vs. Particularism. Universalistic culture, people adhere to general rules,
codes, values, obligations; that regardless of circumstance, same rules apply to different
situations. Standards in universalism take precedence over the needs and claims of friends
and other relationships. Particularistic people on the other hand make judgements
according to their relationships. This culture of particularism is based on friendships and
intimate relationships affecting situation on a case to case basis. Therefore what is
appropriate in one situation may not be right in another.
In matters of international business, particularistic culture values relationships and
these relationships can be basis of bending rules and regulations of a business organization.
The companies of the figures above certainly valued the friendship they wanted to build or
they already had built in countries where they sell their products. For example when Pfizer
or Burger King decided to apologize to the cultures they have offended, they must have
realized that maintaining friendship was more important than creating a media campaign
to boost their sales.
Page
2. Individualism or collectivism. The individualistic culture puts emphasis on the individual’s
wants, happiness, fulfilment, initiative, and welfare above those of the community’s.
Collectivism in turn decides for the greater good and values that works for the community
undermining personal wants and desires. The manufactures of the products shown in
figures 1-5 are by no means collectivistic for having taken the route of discontinuing
advertisements that offended certain communities.
9
The same companies obviously turned against the universalistic culture that dictates
that the law supersede culture. This culture puts less emphasis on personalities and of
course the culture to which they submit. If the advertisement did not violate any existing
laws of the society in which the advertisement were used, then a universalistic company
would not have problems with the continuing use of marketing figures and would argue
that no laws were violated.
3. Specific vs. Diffused. The specific culture is about a man who considers his work a place
where he functions as an individual. For this man he can work effectively and achieve his
career goals even without maintaining real relationships with his co-workers. The diffused
culture is the opposite of the specific as it encourage relationships and camaraderie among
co-workers. For a man in diffused culture, he thrives on the collective desires of the people
around him irrespective of his own desires.
As a future professional, you will be subjected to experiencing to having to deal
with colleagues who subscribe to either specific or diffused culture. It is then up to you to
determine whether to choose one, or to balance your way through the two culture
dimensions interplaying with one another.
4. Achievement vs. Ascription. This dimension is about the attainment of someone’s status.
For those who value achievement, they regard other on account of their education, ability,
success in chosen career, competition, and so on. Ascription people value according to your
social connections, age or gender, your origin or your religion.
In the business context, the achievement dimension gives value to you as compared
with your co-workers in the organization based on your work performance. On the other
hand the ascription dimension evaluates you according to natural admiration and to the
loyalties you have established in a company over time.
The challenge for a college student again is to strike a balance between achievement
and ascription. On one hand, you have to show that you are competitive when a situation
or your boss calls for it; on another hand, aim to show admirable qualities to your coworkers in order to enjoy the benefits of both dimensions.
5. Neutral vs. Affective. In a neutral culture, people make an effort to conceal their feelings
because they have been taught that way. They are often perceived to be guarded and
controlled. Foe the affective, they “wear their heart on their sleeves” and spend their time
at work and laughter, expressions of displeasure or happiness, bold gestures, and dramatic
non-verbal expressions.
At best, hide your emotions if it means sparing your co-workers from feeling worse
than they already do during challenging time in the workplace. But, if there are enough
reasons for you to express happiness over something worth celebrating, it would not hurt
to do bold gestures to show how you feel.
Page
Ideally you should be fluid in achieving your goals. There will be times that we
ought to acknowledge that we need to follow a process in order to produce desire results at
10
6. Time Orientation: Sequential vs. Synchronic. If you think there is a time and place for
everything to be done, then you are sequential type. Furthermore you follow a strict and
particular order in doing things and a change in this order may cause uncertainty for you.
If you are synchronic, you connect the past and the future but you do not focus on one or
the order with which the two take place. You deal with things as they come and you think
of different ways of achieving your set objectives in numerous and possible combinations
of time and order.
work. However, when things dictate that we do not time and sequence our activities to be
able to arrive at surprisingly successful ending, we should also take the time to be
unpredictable and “full of surprises” around our co-workers.
7. Inner – Directed Orientation vs. Outer – Directed Orientation. The inner – directed culture
thrives on people making a conscious effort of controlling the environment they are in.
While nature is complex, the inner directed people allow its people to have a mechanistic
view of nature and control it with skill and precision. The outer – directed culture for its
part believes in the challenged of nature over mankind. People, therefore, should look into
the challenges of nature, to what the outside world presents, and then use them in making
decisions.
In business, they are those who think they dictate what the consumers need and play
up those needs to bolster sales for the company. If you will be an employee of an
inner – directed company, the ability to innovate is the qualification you should be
developing. On the other hand there are companies that responds to trends set by
the outside world, abide by them, and then operate the business around what is
perceived to be popular.
As nation, the US remains to provide a distinct manifestation of the interplay of the
different cultural dimensions discussed above so much so that they introduced the
term the “melting pot”. This term encourages assimilation, and “being American”
as the mainstream culture. In the process, a differing culture loses itself to what is
considered “American”. Immigrants coming to United States were expected to set
aside their language and culture in favour of the “American way”. Schools all over
US were also compelled to order their immigrant students to submit to American
customs, beliefs and ideas in order to truly assimilate with the dominant American
culture.
The term “melting pot” however did not last very long in the mainstream psyche of
the Americans ever since “cultural pluralism” came into the scene. This terms
focuses on a diverse population of cultures interacting with one another to form
a society. Cultural pluralism is likened to a salad bowl with a variety of ingredients,
each one contributing to the final taste of the salad. Not one ingredient is taken for
granted, each one makes up the whole.
So is there absolute truth to Cultural Pluralism.
Page
Cultural pluralism is a condition in which people are able to organize communities
regardless of differences of race, age, sex, religion, language and cultural lifestyles.
Furthermore, this condition is attained in a society where a culturally diverse
communities interact with one another on a basis of healthy functioning of the
11
Indeedd, the concept of cultural pluralism has been with us for more or less sixty
years. Among the many writers who pushed for the recognition of the concept are
Horrace M. Cullen, Gunnar Myrdal, Tamostse Shibutani, Kian M. Kwan, Milton.
Gordon, Robert Blauner, and Albert Memmi.
society they are part of. Cultural pluralism then will not thrive when culturally
different communities do not get along.
Therefore, it is assumed that cultural pluralism is an issue that will remain relevant
in the years to come as there are stronger demands now more than ever for the
nations of differing cultures to interact with one another. When the Chinese
government recently announced its intention of drafting the “code of conduct” with
all neighboring nations stating claims of ownership of certain parts of the South
China Sea (West Philippine Sea), it is an indicator of willingness of a dominant
nation like China to participate in the system of culturally diverse countries coming
together for a common goal of order in the Asean region.
In conclusion, Bennet and Hammer (1998) that the more experience a
person has for cultural differences, the more that he will develop intercultural
competence. This competence is necessary in working for intercultural relations
and in attaining effectiveness when working across cultures.
Comprehension question:
The preceding input tackles the things to consider when communicating with people of different cultures.
Check your understanding of the selection by answering the following question.
1. What does the text recommend that we do to be successful in cross-cultural
communication?
Synthesis
Page
12
1. The diversity of people and culture impacts communication. Communicating with people
coming from unfamiliar cultures poses challenges.
2. The success of intercultural communication does not depend on language skills alone, but
on openness and sensitivity to cultural diversity, as well as on genuine desire to understand
and be understood.
College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
Name: ____________________________________
Score: __________
Course & Year: _____________________________
Date Submitted: __________
Evaluation:
Page
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13
1. Write an essay that explains the importance of intercultural communication in your desired
career (Engineering or Architecture).
RUBRICS:
CRITERIA
Content and Development
- Content is comprehensive.
- Major points are stated clearly and are well supported.
- Responses are excellent and address topic.
- Content is clear.
-Specific examples are used.
Points
Actual Score
5–4–3–2-1
Organization and Structure
-Structure of the paper is clear and easy to follow.
- Transitions are logical and maintain the flow of thought
throughout the paper.
- Conclusion is logical and flows from the body of the
paper.
Grammar and Punctuation
- Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are
followed; spelling is correct.
5–4–3–2-1
5–4–3–2-1
TOTAL
References:
Madrunio, M .& Martin, I. (2018). Purposive Communication. Using English in
Multingual Contexts. Queson City, Philippines: C&E Publishing, Inc. ISBN 978-97198-0925-8
Africa, A. (2018). Purposive Communication In the Now. Mandaluyong City,
Philippines: Books Atbp. Publishing Corp. ISBN 978-621-409-091-4
Uychoco, MT & Santos, ML. (2018). Communication for Society: Purposive
Communication. Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines: Rex Bookstore.
Internet Sources:
Page
14
https://study.com/academy/lesson/intercultural-communication-definition-modelstrategies.html#:~:text=Intercultural%20communication%20is%20the%20verbal,is%20the%20co
mmunication%20between%20cultures.
College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
Name: ______________________________________ Course & Year: ______________
Module III
:
Intercultural Communication
Lesson 3
:
Varieties and Registers of Spoken and Written Language
Course Title
:
Purposive Communication
Course Number
:
GE 106
Course Description :
Purposive Communication is a three-unit course that develops
students’ communication competence and enhances their cultural and
intercultural awareness through multimodal tasks that provide them
opportunities for communicating effectively and appropriately to a
multicultural audience in a local or global context.
Total Learning Time :
3 units (3 hours lecture per week)
Pre-requisites
None
:
:
In this chapter, we will have discussion on Communication and
Globalization, and Varieties and Registers of Spoken and Written Language. You will be
exploring text reflecting different cultures and discuss also some culturally appropriate terms,
expressions, and images (sensitivity to gender, race, class, etc).
Overview
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this module, the student should be able to:
1. Determine culturally appropriate terms, expressions, and images (sensitivity to gender,
race, class, etc.); and
2. Adopt cultural and intercultural awareness and sensitivity in communication.
Page
15
Indicative Content: This module discusses at least the following topics: What is Globalization
and its Impacts to Communication, Intercultural Communication, Varieties of English and
Language Registers of English, Cultural Text, Formal and Informal Language.
Discussion:
The Formal Register
The three most common language registers are formal, informal, and neutral. When we get a chance
to talk to somebody like a doctor or a lawyer, we normally use the formal register with them. This mean
that we talk to them this way:
Business Letters
Letters of Complaint
Reports
Official Speeches
Announcements
Page





16
The Formal register is appropriate for professional writing and latters to a boss, or someone we are
meeting for the first rime Formal writing is also probably the most challenging type of writing that requires
the formal register. This register is useful if we have to write a letter that is both impersonal and unemotional
to a specific person. As a college student this is the language register required of you when you need to
write a letter to your teacher, much more if you are communicating through a letter of the president of the
university in behalf of a school organization. This same register is required when you write an application
letter to your would-be employer. Formal writing includes:

Professional email messages
In using the formal language register, the following are to be observed:
1. Do not use contractions. Contractions are not usually used in formal writing even though
it is very common in spoken English.
Examples:
 Will not instead of won’t
 Have not instead of haven’t
 Should not instead of shouldn’t
 Could not instead of couldn’t
However, contractions can be used if you are quoting someone’s exact words in writing.
Example:
We shouldn’t put a premium to plainly verbal communication”, the professor said.
For apostrophes, keep in mind that it does pertain to a contraction. Apostrophes are added to
nouns to express ownership. They are use in all language registers.
Examples:



Engineer’s profile
Architect’s design
Manager’s report
2. Spell – out numbers less than one hundred. This is a must for reports or any form of
formal writing that use number expressions.
Examples:
 Nineteen
 Twenty-three
 Sixty-five
3. Avoid using too much passive voice. In formal writing it is better to use active voice.
Page
Passive sentences:
 The member of PICE were instructed to assemble at the conference room by the
event’s host.
 The terror attacks
Active sentences:
 The event’s host instructed the members PICE to assemble at the conference
room.
17
Examples:

CNN reported the terror attacks live.
4. Avoid using slang, idioms, exaggerations, and clichés. These expressions are acceptable
in informal writing and spoken English. Slang in particular is only meant for a certain area
or region.
Examples:




Awesome
Okay/ok
Check it out
In a nutshell
A cliché is a phrase that is often overused.





Too much of a good thing
Moment of truth
Time is money
Don’t push your luck
Beauty is only skin deep
5. Avoid abbreviations and acronyms. If you have to use acronym, write it out the first tie.
From then on, you can use the acronym itself.
Examples:
 Capiz State University (CapSU)
 United Architects of the Philippines (UAP)
 National Aeronautics and Space Adminisration (NASA)
For abbreviations, write the complete word the first time, then abbreviations are in order.



Influenza – flu
Tablespoon – tsbp.
Manila – Mla.
The following symbols among and the like are only for friendly email and texts.
LOL ( laugh out loud)
Brb (be right back)
W/c (which)
W/o (without)
Mfeo (made for each other)
Page
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



18
Examples:
6. Formal writing requires the good transition words like:
Examples:






Nevertheless
Additionally
Consequently
In fact
As a result
However
7. Always write in sentences. Fragments are unacceptable in formal writing
Examples:
 Before the expiration date
 Although it was relayed quite well.
 In the middle of an exhibition.
Complete sentences:



You must consume the product before its expiration date.
Although it was relayed quite well, the message was still unclear to the audience.
In the middle of an art exhibition, the artist himself opened the auction for his
masterpieces.
8. Write longer, more complex sentences. As formal write-ups are usually written by welleducated individuals, complex sentences are commonly seen in them.
Examples:
19

Since the number of CoViD cases is still rising, President Rodrigo Duterte was
compelled to put the highly affected areas back into ECQ again which resulted to
delay of the opening of classes for public and some private schools and an economic
uncertainty.
In a 501 page document, the Hague Tribunal decided to honor the claim of the
Philippines over Scarborough Shoal and said that China does not have historic
rights to the South China Sea and that their “nine-dash line” claim has no legal
basis.
Page

The Informal Language Register
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/05/how-to-talk-about-money-with-your-friends.html
To young people, the informal register always works. This is the register that we use when we
communicate with friends and family. We use informal writing to someone we know very well. Unlike the
formal register, the informal register accepts:










Slang and clichés
Figurative language
Symbols and abbreviations
Acronyms
Incomplete sentences
Short sentences
Jokes
Personal opinions
Active and passive voice
Extra punctuation
Personal emails
Text messages
Short notes
Tweets
Facebook posts
Blogs
Friendly letters
Page







20
Thus, informal writing includes:


Chat messages
Diaries and journal
The Neutral Language Register
Source: https://hbr.org/2020/03/how-to-avoid-shaking-hands
The neutral register is neither formal nor informal. Basically it is the tone that is used when expressing facts
devoid of emotion. Some writings including this book are written in neutral register. This explain why the
past modules are not specifically formal or informal; but the fact remains that like other writings, this book
delivers facts. Other writings that use neutral registers are:





Reviews
Articles
Some letters
Some essays
Technical writing
Page
The language would refer language register as tenor, tone or style. Specifically, a register is a
variety of language dictated by a particular social setting. For example, when you are asked to deliver a
speech to a gathering of professionals, you automatically gravitate towards the use of formal complex
sentences and do away with contractions and slang expressions in order to appear respectable to a specific
type of an audience. For the most part, this shift from informal to formal or vice versa is intuitive as we
unconsciously shift registers when we talk to our friends and family versus how we do ro a job
interviewer. This is the reason why register is considered a language variation based on the “use” and not
on the “user”.
21
The Language Registers for the Linguists.
Thomas Bertram Reid
The term register was first used by the linguist Thomas Betram Reid in 1956 and began to be
largely used by other linguists who wanted to be define register as a variation according to the user
affected by other variables like social background, geography, gender, age, among others. This means that
a person or a user of a language register possesses a range of register to suit him at different times with
different types of audience.
Hence register should be easily distinguishable from other language variation based on regional
and age dialects, even if they would sometimes overlap with register itself. Register should also be
distinguished from jargon or highly technical terms as the latter is more than just formality or informality
of tone. This is the reason why some of us come off too bossy, or sometimes even rude to people we talk
to even without intending to when a particular language or type of audience is “alien” to us.
English as a Specific Language
After a thorough discussion on language register and how linguists define it, let us then zoom in
on language itself, in this case English. First, we categorize the language based on accent:
American English. This is often abbreviated to (AmE)- a variant of English language, spoken
mainly in the United States. About two-thirds of the world’s native speakers of English living in
America speak this variant. This was introduced to North America by British settlers in the 17 th
century, the colonization period.
Australian English. (AuE) is its abbreviation, a variant of English, spoken largely in Australia.
This variant began to diverge from British English shortly after Australia was settled in the late
18th century. It bears semblances to New Zealand English and certain dialects in South East
England.
Black English. This refers to British and American English spoken by black communities in the
US and the UK. It also refers to a variant of English spoken widely in Caribbean and Africa.
British English. (BrE) is a variant of English spoken mainly in the United Kingdom. This English
variant, together with American English, are taught in most English as a Second Language (ESL)
and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) programs.
For actual accents spoken by an Asian girl, you may refer to:
21 ACCENTS – https://www.youtube.com/watch?u=VAWt0J65Bc
But is there a “correct” Variety of English?
Page
Her research took place in th West Midlands region of UK and examined variations of English used
in creative spoken performances such as comedy, drama, and poetry. Other text used in local newspapers,
stories and poems were also used in the investigation. In the research, Dr Clark surmised that English has,
over the years, been fragmented, dynamic and mobile like never before, and that the so called “ Standard”
22
Dr. Ursula Clark, a linguist specialist declares on variations in the use of English and what this
could mean for education policy and teachers of English that, “You are what you speak and your place of
origin is the most important identity factor.”
English has weakened. Merriam Dictionary defines Standard English as the English with respect to spelling,
grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary is substantial uniform though not devoid of regional differences,
that is well established by usage the formal and informal speech and writing of the educated, and that is
widely recognized as acceptable wherever English is spoken and understood.
Clark said that:
“Even though English is used around the world for the purposes of trade, travel, medicine and so
on, it is an interesting fact that majority of the world’s population today is largely bilingual, even in nations
where English is the mother tongue”.
In the UK for example, it is noticeable that there are primary and secondary schools where nearly
100 percent of pupils speaks English as an additional language; in many others, 40 percent is common. The
implication of this therefore, is that we can no longer say that there is one variety of English superior to the
others. What is more important is that we are able to recognize the many varieties of English including that
of the standard, and pick one variety that we are comfortable with and be understood while using it.
With respect to lexicon, vocabulary words peculiar only to some English varieties in Southeast
Asia can be noted as seen in the following examples:
Page
23
1. Singapore English: actsy ‘shoe off,” missy ‘nurse,’ chop ‘rubber stamp,’ Marina kids
‘younsters who spend their leisure time at or around Marina Square, a shopping center,’
graduate mothers ‘graduate (well-educated) married women, encouraged to have more
children and accorded certain previliges in Singapore,’ as compared to non-graduate
mothers (Pakir, 1992, as cited in Madrunio and Martin (2018).
2. Philippine English: deep ‘puristic or hard to understand’as an attribute of language, stick
‘cigarette,’ high blood ‘tense or upset,’ blow out ‘treating someone with a snack or meal,’
motel ‘a hotel used for pre-marital or extramarital affairs,’ manualize ‘to prepare manuals,’
go ahead ‘leave before others with the host’s permission,’ studentry ‘student body,’ Amboy
‘a Filipino perceived to be too pro-American,’ promdi ‘from the province,’ behest loan
‘unguaranteeed bank loan given to presidential cronies,’ pulot boy ‘boy who picks ups
tennis boy in the game,’ and balikbayan box ‘box where where Filipinos returning from
abroad put all their shopping,’ among others (Bautista, 1997, as cited in Madrunio and
Martin, 2018).
3. Malaysian English: antilog ‘a male hated by the girl,’ popcorn ‘ a loquacious person,’
kachang ‘peanuts, easy,’ slambar ‘relax,’ red spot, open shelf ‘girls who are popular and
those who are not.’ day bugs ‘those who come to attend school but do not live in the
residence halls (Said & Ng, 2000, as cited Madrunio and Martin, 2018).
Module 3 -Task 1
Name: _______________________________________________ Score: _____________________
Year & Section: _______________________________________ Date: _____________________
Below are two examples of varieties of English that focus on pronunciation. Classify them
accordingly and write them accordingly and write them under the correct column.
1. elemenTAry vs. eleMENTary
2. istreet vs. street (street)
3. brids vs. bridge (bridge)
4. ass vs. asks (asks)
5. thought vs. tot (thought)
6. closez vs. closes (closes)
7. dat vs. that (that)
8. tin vs. thin (thin)
9. measure vs. measure (measure)
10. chip vs. cheap (cheap)
American English
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Philippine English
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Page
Traditionally, we consider the “native” speakers of English to be the best English teachers in the
world. This view is shared even by nations like Japan and Korea that require their English teachers to come
from America or any country whose first language is English. However, studies shows that linguistic
variations are present in all languages, and that all varieties have their own rules and systems. If we submit
to this view which suggests that English comes inn multiple varieties and that no variety is superior over
the others, then the question of who should teach English is already insignificant.
24
Who then should teach English?
On the more profound note, successful communication is not a question of who uses it but rather a
question of understanding. If you are able to engage successfully in your given context at point in time
using your variety of English, then you will have fulfilled the essence of communication.
Now What is Sociolinguistics?
The discussion does not end here. For a more solid knowledge of how encompassing
communication and language are, we also have to look at the social life of humans on a linguistic
perspective – Sociolinguistics. The formal definition of the word is “it is a term used to describe all area of
the study between language and society other than those which are purely social scientific in their objectives
such as ethnomethodology”. To put simply, Sociolinguistics is the study of the relationship between
language and society; it focuses on how language is used by the individual speaker and groups of speakers
in its social context.
For a student of Purposive Communication like you, sociolinguistics is the study of how people
use their language in their everyday lives; how identities are shown more vividly through the words
you use, how through language, you intentionally or unintentionally create, maintain, or disrupt
relationships with others. Other issues that surround sociolinguistics are how word pronunciation, choice
of words, or pattern of words combined together affect the understanding or the misunderstanding between
individuals and among cultures.
Therefore, we again can conclude that language is more than what meets the eye; it is like mirror
through which we can look at social behaviour. Through language, we send vital social messages about
who we are, where we are from, and who we identify ourselves with. With this in mind, it is worrisome
that we sometimes resort to judging a person based on his language, dialect, or, in some instances, even
the choice of a single word. This is especially true in this generation where people feel the need to express
themselves in different social platforms aided by technology.
Pragmatics and Discourse Analysis
Page
Discourse Analysis on the other hand focuses on the “text” and its “context”. This perspective looks
at text and context as basis of movement from the informal to the formal vice-versa, or more simply, to
register being used by individuals in communicating amongst themselves. This is where a variety of
communication experiences are looked into such as conversations with doctors, memos to and from bosses,
televised political discussions, or simple school hallway consultation between teachers and students. In
looking at sample communication experiences, discourse analysis questions how word/s, and meaning hold
the text together (cohesion); how unity, topic and message are achieved (coherence); and how texts used
tell a story, describe something or explain a list of instructions.
25
The two other areas of Linguistics are Pragmatics and Discourse Analysis. Pragmatics focuses on how
speakers utilize language to convey information. The issues constantly mentioned on pragmatic revolves
around how choice of words, sentence forms, intonation, rhythm, and pitch convey subtle features of
messages; how language conveys who did what to whom, when and how we use language to accomplish
specific speech acts like requests, apologies, appeal, threats, among others may bring us closer or alienate
us from others.
But let us go back to what is Sociolinguistics truly is and put it in more simple terms to better
understand how it affects communication. Sociolinguistics then, by and large, is an in-depth study of how
language tells the story of people in a society over time and of how language impacts us, and why.
How does the concept of Globalization affect Sociolinguistics,
Business and Communication in general?
To put everything in perspective, language, language register, linguistics, sociolinguistics, and
communication itself affect the concept of globalization. This has happened in the last twenty years as the
term “globalization” became a household term spawned by exchange of knowledge, trade and capital
around the world, driven by technological innovation from the internet to actual shipping containers. Some
see it as a good thing for it makes the world smaller for a much more robust economy, while others deem
it to be a bad thing for the simple reason that smaller economies cannot compete against the bigger ones.
However viewed, the concept of globalization stayed in the mainstream of things, economic or otherwise,
in the quest to make everything in the world inclusive. It seems that while the concept of globalization
continues to be debatable, its force to make things inclusive remains a principle that cuts across business,
economy, the arts, and yes, communication. So let us look at communication as a “mover and shaker” of
business. After all in the a span of three (3) to four (4) years, you the college student, will find yourself
participating in local or world economic affairs with an employment or self-employment on your sleeves.
The development of communication skills is an important factor in “cross-cultural” interaction
required in business. Today, as soon as you decide to engage in business, you should get yourself ready to
communicate well within your culture and the culture outside of yours. The term loosely given to this idea
is collaboration. It is a term that is clear on the impact of culture on manners and body language and body
language and how to incorporate technology in communication amongst peoples. There are just no more
boundaries that prevent us from communicating with people across the globe. The understanding of the
concept of globalization then helps us to figure out the best ways by which we can connect to the world for
matters of business which leads to another sign of the times, the virtual interactions.
Page
Sociolinguistics then weighs in on the matter. This is inevitable as culture awareness in speech
impacts the whole concept of globalization. Now the communications skills developments in the world of
business has evolved to “global” extent. Even when two people today speaks the same language, both have
to be aware that cultural differences can affect vocabulary; that colloquial vary even in countries that speaks
the same language; that something as simple as tone can disrupt usual business. IF you can get away of
being brutally brutally frank with your international partners around the US, you cannot be the same in
Japan or with a Japanese partner because Asians are known to be sensitive.
26
Virtual Interactions has become an indispensable ingredients to workplace dynamics. Modern
entrepreneurs now realize that for a business to thrive, its workforce has to be adept in different
communications media and its maximum effect to success and failure of a business. Holding virtual
meetings that defy rules of face-ti-face meetings in terms of etiquette and nuances is now is now
commonplace. When you sit down for a meeting these days, you should be ready to be thrown to a virtual
setting for you to say that you belong to the current generation of multimodal communication.
Today, body language is also key factor in business. Modern training programs now includes
lessons on speaking distances, conflict styles, eye contact, or even postures that are universally acceptable.
If you are in business and you are looking at the future importing and exporting products, you should
address differences in matters of physical expressions, language, and of course, culture.
Self Assessment
Rate yourself honestly as you read the following statements. Check the column that corresponds to your
answer. Use the following rating scale: Agree=4; Somewhat agree=3; Neither agree nor disagree = 2;
Disagree =1
1. I enjoy listening to other people from other cultures.
2. I am aware that I can offend the feelings of other people belonging to
other linguistic and cultural environments.
3. I apologize whenever I hurt the feelings of people from other cultures.
4. I insist on my own views and beliefs even if I am aware that cultures vary
significantly.
5. I go out of my way to adjust to the culture of other people.
6. I am aware that no culture is superior or inferior.
7. I am aware that all linguistic and cultural environments are equal.
8. I am aware that all linguistic and cultural environments should be
respected.
9. I can easily shift from one language register to another when speaking
depending on the communication situation.
10. I can easily shift from one language register to another when writing
depending on the kind of readers that I have.
Synthesis
Page
27
1. Intercultural communication plays important role in achieving effective communication.
2. There are different varieties of English spoken by countries colonized by Britain, The US,
Canada and Australia: Singapore English, Malaysian English, Philippine English and Thai
English, among others. These varieties have their own grammatical, lexical, and syntactic
features and should not be considered as errors.
3. Language has formal and informal registers. These registers have forms which forms the
social situation.
4. The kind of register to be used affects the way one speaks and writes.
College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology
Name: ____________________________________
Course & Year: _____________________________
Date Submitted: __________
Date Submitted: __________
Evaluation:
I.
Directions: Identify if the following scenarios require the Formal, Informal, or Neutral
Register. Write A fro Formal; B for Informal; C for Neutral.
1. Engr. Santos delivering a speech to an assembly of civil engineers. _______
2. An Architect having a coffee break with his fellow architects._______
3. A speech writer composing a speech of a politician’s privilege speech._______
4. A Facebook post on a video that has gone viral._______
5. A mother texting her son to do the groceries.________
6. A series of text messages between best friends.________
7. An Engineer being asked to write a report.________
8. A student writing a movie review.________
9. A teacher asking his students to write an essay about violence on television._______
10. An exchange of jokes among officemates.________
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
underground economy vs. black economy
counter clockwise vs. anticlockwise
current account vs. checking account
housing development vs. housing estate
elementary school vs. junior school
labor union vs. trade union
Expiry date vs. expiration date
rubbish vs. garbage
parentheses vs. brackets
drink driving vs. drunk driving
fortnight vs. two weeks
raincoat vs. mackintosh
third party insurance vs. liability insurance
driving license vs. driver’s license
whisky vs. whiskey
28
Below are examples of two varieties of English that focus on expressions. Some of these
might be useful in your future endeavour as career persons. Classify the following
accordingly and write them under the correct column. Note that some terms from the lists
are used by both varieties.
Page
II.
American
British
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
References:
Madrunio, M .& Martin, I. (2018). Purposive Communication. Using English in
Multingual Contexts. Quezon City, Philippines: C&E Publishing, Inc. ISBN 978-971-980925-8
Africa, A. (2018). Purposive Communication In the Now. Mandaluyong City, Philippines:
Books Atbp. Publishing Corp. ISBN 978-621-409-091-4
Page
29
Uychoco, MT & Santos, ML. (2018). Communication for Society: Purposive
Communication. Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines: Rex Bookstore.