SH1709 Types of Communication or Speech Contexts Speech is essential to our being human. It affects who we are and how we develop as individuals, how we learn and share what we know, and how we interact with others in our world. Speech does not take place in a vacuum but is always contextualized. This means that when we speak, there is always a reason, which includes the purpose, audience and the situation, or event. There are three types of speech contexts: intrapersonal, interpersonal, and public. A. Intrapersonal It is a communication within oneself. It involves thinking, remembering, and feeling. This is the type of speech used when we talk to ourselves. Most of the time, we do this silently in our head (internal discourse) so we can understand, clarify, or analyze a situation we find ourselves in. B. Interpersonal This type of communication refers to face-to-face interactions between persons. It is communication among a relatively small number of people and this what we usually think of as communication since involves at least one other (dyad) or some others (group). Dyadic – This is communication between two (2) people. It may be face-to-face conversations, dialogs, or interviews. Telephone conversation is also dyadic. Triadic – This communication is between Three (3) people. Small Group – More than three (3) people participate in this type of communication. This is the enlarged type of communication usually done to solve problems. The committee, panel, symposium, brainstorming and small business meetings are good examples of the small group communication. There are at least five contexts in which this happens: 1. Psychological context refers to the participants and what each brings to the interaction. Needs desires, values, personality, and habits – all form of psychological contexts. 2. Relational context concerns the relations the interactors have toward each other and how close or distant that relationship is. 3. Situational context deals with the psychosocial “where” the exchange happens. An interaction that takes place in a classroom will be very different from one that takes place at a picnic. 4. Environmental context deals with the physical “where” they are communicating. The room arrangement, location, noise level, temperature, and time of day are examples of factors in environmental context. 5. Cultural context includes all the learned behaviors and rules that affect the interaction. Some come from a culture where it is considered rude to make long, direct eye contact, and will avoid eye contact out of politeness. Then there are those from a culture where long, direct eye contact signals trustworthiness. This difference in cultural context can cause misunderstanding and communication breakdown. C. Public Communication This involves communication between one and several other people. This is the large group type of communication. It is the heart of the society, whether in economics, entertainment, or religion – it is in fact in every aspect of life. Public speech uses ideas and images, persuasion and information, strategy and tactics in a smart message targeted to the right audience in creative and innovative ways. While public speaking can be frightening, it is also most awarding. Many doors of opportunity open 03 Handout 1 *Property of STI Page 1 of 4 SH1709 to effective public speakers. The good news is that speaking in public can be learned. With appropriate planning and a lot of correct practice, anyone can be a skilled and effective public speaker. Primarily, it is an Amonologue one engages in rather than a dialogue. Speech Styles and Context Speech styles vary according to social context – who are we talking to, about what, for what purposes. One way of classifying speech styles is according to the directness of our speech. There are two parts to our communication style: how direct we are expressing our views, wants, and opinions and the thought or consideration that the sender of the message gives to the opinions, wants, and needs of the recipient. In psychological terms, each participant in the communication process ends each communication as either a winner or loser. The ideal, of course, is to work toward a win-win situation. High Directness of Communication Low Openly aggressive behavior I am direct in expressing my needs, wants, and opinions and I give no thoughts to other people. I win, you lose. Passive aggressive behavior I indirectly make sure that others are aware of my needs, wants, and opinions and that these are more important than theirs. I win, you lose. Low Assertive behavior I clearly express my needs, wants, and opinions in a way which is considerate of others. I win, you win. Passive behavior I do not express my needs, wants, and opinions directly. I put others’ needs above my own. I lose, you win. Thought Given to Others High Language varies according to use and users and according to where it is used and to whom, as well as according to who is using it. The more we know who we are in relation to whom we are talking to, given the situation or event, and the purpose we want to achieve, the more appropriate and effective we become as communicators. Language Register Register in linguistics is used to indicate degrees of formality in language use. Language Register is the level of formality of which you speak. Different situations and people call for different registers. Kinds of Language Register 03 Handout 1 *Property of STI Page 2 of 4 SH1709 Casual - This is the informal language used by peers and friends. Past experience with that person. Slang, vulgarities, and colloquialisms are normal. This is “group” language. One (1) must be a member to engage in this register. Examples: • • • • • Talking with friends Personal letter to a friend Talk with teammates Chats and emails Personal blogs Intimate -This communication is private. Language shared between couples, twins, very close friends. It is reserved for close family members or intimate people. Examples: • • • • • • Finish each other’s sentences Spouses Boyfriend and Girlfriend Siblings Parent and Children Very good friends Frozen - This style of communications rarely or never changes. It is “frozen” in time and content. It is also called static register. Examples: • • • • • • Pledge of Allegiance Words to a song Poetry Prayer Preamble to the US Constitution The Alma Mater Formal - This language is used in formal settings and is one-way in nature. This use of language usually follows a commonly accepted format. Examples: • • • • • • • Presentations Academic Paper Essays in school Sermons Speeches Announcements Interviews Consultative - This is a standard form of communications. Users engage in a mutually accepted structure of communications. Two-way communication used in conversation with professional discourse is a good example. It also shows no past experience with that person. 03 Handout 1 *Property of STI Page 3 of 4 SH1709 Examples: • • • • • Strangers who interact Adults at work Teachers with students Talking with lawyer or doctor Counselor and client The Universal Rule for Language Registers A person can go from one register to the next register without any conflicts. Oral Presentation and Delivery Techniques Oral interpretation will help you to become a better communicator, as it requires awareness of how words are combined to create mood and meaning. To do this, it is important to study the piece so that you will understand not just all the words but also how the writer, in putting those words together, has created the mood and meaning which you now need to give voice to. Needless to say, an essential element to interpreting a piece is study and preparation. Consider the attitude, feelings, emotion or temperament of the person who wrote the selection because these give meaning to the words and point to the style of reading aloud which you will use in your interpretation. Research the life of the author and the circumstances that led to the writing of the poem or story as this background may help you understand the selection. You must remember to make the piece your own when you interpret it. Identify words and ideas that need emphasis. Recall your own experiences to help you in understanding the author’s mood. Put your vocal skills (proper quality, pitch, intensity, rate, including and phrasing) into good use to recreate the writer’s meaning. While your voice is the main tool to get the meaning of the literary piece across, you will find that movements can add much to your interpretation. Allow sincere, spontaneous bodily actions that naturally come to convey and emotions intended by the author. Language register. (n.d.). Retrieved from baileyk.ism-online.org/files/2013/08/Language-RegistersNotes.ppt last April 27, 2017. Fernandez, Ana Marie O. & Suarez, Elineth Elizabeth L. (2016). Speac: speak and listen in context. Quezon City. Phoenix Publishing House. 03 Handout 1 *Property of STI Page 4 of 4