Unit 1.

Language and
Communication
Lesson 1. Nature of Language
What is Language?
Together with the creation of human life is the creation of a
wonderful and dynamic human capacity – language. Animals are said
to be able to communicate with each other. Whales sing, wolves howl,
dogs bark, and birds chirp. The sounds these creature produce often
reflect the state of their emotions. While it maybe true that animals
communicate, only human beings are truly capable of producing
language.
What exactly is language? Linguist agree that language can only
be called a language if it has a system of rules (also known as
grammar), a sound system (phonology), and a vocabulary (lexicon).
These are the requirements for identifying a means of communication
as a language.
 While growing up in a community, people acquire the languages
used by those in the community. This is the process of language
acquisition.
The languages acquired while growing up are known as mother
tongues, which may also be referred to as first languages.
Other than the first languages, there are other languages that are
needed for various reasons. These other languages are referred to as
second languages.
People learn their second languages in school or on their own.
This is the process of language learning.
Finally, in our interaction with other people, our languages come
into contact with their languages, resulting in language change.
Language change is a natural behavior of all languages
Lesson 2. Types of Communication
What is Communication?
Depending on what is being considered, communication as a term takes
on different contexts resulting in people having different views on
communication types. Since communication is generally defined as the
exchange of thoughts, ideas, concepts, and views between or among two or
more people, various contexts come into play. Context is the circumstance or
environment in which communication takes place. Such circumstance may
include the physical or actual setting, the value positions of a speaker/listener,
and the relevance or appropriateness of a message conveyed. It focuses on
certain communication processes and even groupings of people that
constitute a communication situation.
Different context can impact one’s communication. Each communication
type is governed by a particular circumstance. Thus, it is essential to pay
attention to the interplay of factors surrounding the context of communication
which may be physical, cultural, social, and psychological in nature.
Communication may then be classified according to: 1. communication
mode(forms), 2. context, and 3. purpose and style.
Types of Communication According to Mode:
A message may be conveyed via these types: written, verbal, non-verbal,
and visual. Though communication is often thought of as verbal, the non-
verbal mode is equally essential as it enhances one’s message.
Verbal and non-verbal codes should complement each other . With visual
communication, interpretation of signs and symbols is crucial since people
have different ways of interpreting them. It is important to always
contextualize the symbol/sign received in order to arrive at the correct
interpretation.
Written communication involves texts or words encoded and transmitted
through memos., letters, reports, on-line chat, short message service or SMS,
electronic mail or e-mail, journals and other written documents.
Verbal communication involves an exchange of information through face-
to-face, audio and/or video call or conferencing, lectures, meetings, radio, and
television.
Non-verbal communication involves the use of the following to convey or
emphasize a message of information.
❑ Voice – this includes tone , speech rate, pitch, pauses and volume.
❑ Body language – this includes facial expressions, gestures, postures, and eye
contact.
❑ Personal space or distance – this refers to an area of space and distance that a
person from a different culture, personality, age, sex, and status adopts and puts for
another person.
❑ Personal appearance – this refers to how a person presents himself/herself to a
particular situation, whether formal or informal.
❑ Colors – reflect people’s personality and reveal character. Hence, your choice of
colors for your clothes and visual aids matter to your audience during presentations.
❑ Touch - is a physical contact. It can be interpreted differently in various cultures. But
generally, touch is used to communicate love, care, or comfort.
Visuals involved the use of images, graphs, charts, logos, and maps.
Communication can be intended or unintended.
❖ Intended communication refers to planning what and how you communicate your
ideas to other people who are older than you are or who occupy a higher social or
professional position.
❖ Unintended communication , on the other hand, happens when you unintentionally
send non-verbal messages to people you are communicating with, or when you
suddenly make negative remarks out of frustration or anger.
Types of Communication According to Context:
In this sub-section, context in communication referred to as a composite
of people interacting with each other. Communication may also be classified
according to context: 1. intrapersonal; 2. interpersonal; 3. extended; 4.
organizational communication; and 5. intercultural communication.
➢ Intrapersonal Communication
The Latin prefix intra – means within or inside. Intrapersonal communication
then means talking to oneself. Some label it as self or inner talk, inner
monologue, or inner dialogue. Psychologists call it with other names such as
self – verbalization or self-statement.
➢ Interpersonal Communication
As opposed to intra, the Latin prefix inter-means between, among, and
together. An interactive exchange takes place as interpersonal communication
takes place. However, as it occurs, a transaction does not necessarily take
place since it can only be a simple interaction such as greetings, getting to
know a person, or ordinary conversations that happen between or among the
interactants. This may occur in dyads or small groups, also known as group
communication.
A communication situation can be interpersonal or transactional.
 A communication situation is interpersonal if it is meant to establish or
deepen one’s relationship with others. However, if the objective is to achieve
something at the end of the conversation, it becomes transactional. While the
former is more formal by less seriousness and formality, the latter is more
formal and profound. Whereas interpersonal talks are meant for maintaining
social relationships, transactional talks aim to accomplish or resolve
something at the end of the conversation.
Analyze the following two situations:
1. Speaker A: Hello! I am Kaeselle Ramos. And you?
Speaker B: Oh, I am Venice Mendoza. Glad to meet you. How are you
related to the bride?
Speaker A: She is my cousin. Her mom and mine are sisters. How about
you?
Speaker B: She was my high school classmate. I never knew anything about
her personal life so we were kind of surprised when she sent us
the invitation. As always, she is very private.
 Speaker A: I see. Well, she’s really like that. Ever since we were kids, she
has always been a very quiet person.
2. Speaker A: Excuse me. Would you know how to get to the nearest mall?
Speaker B: Yes. In fact, you may g there on foot or simply take a jeepney. If
you walk, it will take you about 20 minutes to get there. You can just
take the exit gate near the hospital then turn left and walk straight
ahead. You won’t miss it because of the big sign. Jeepneys take
the same route and it should not take you more than 10 minutes
even with the traffic.
Speaker A: Thank you very much. I think I will just take the public
transportation as I am running out of time. You have been really
helpful. Thanks again.
Could you tell which is interpersonal and which is transactional in the two
situations above? Explain the objective, language, and nature of conversation.
➢ Extended Communication
This communication involves the use of electronic media. Unlike before when
it only called for the use of television and radio, nowadays, the description of
extended communication may be expanded as to include tele, audio, or phone
conferencing; video-conferencing; Skype calls; and other technological means.
➢ Organizational Communication
With this type, the focus is on the role that communication plays in an
organizational contexts. Organizations comprise individuals who work for the
company.
There are two types of organizational structure: (1) formal and (2) informal.
Formal structure allows communication to take place via designated channels of
message flow between positions in the organization. This may make use of four
approaches:(1) downward communication, (2) upward communication, (3)
horizontal communication, and (4) crosswise communication.
*Note that these structures are usually presented in the company’s
organizational chart and policy manuals.
Informal communication, on the other hand, comes from unofficial
channels of message flow. Also known as ‘ grapevine’, messages coming from
different levels of the organization are transmitted.
➢ Intercultural Communication
When you interact, negotiate or convey information in a multicultural
setting , you apply your intercultural communication skills. Simply put,
intercultural communication is the sending and receiving of information, ideas,
or messages across languages and cultures.
As the term implies, it is also a communication between or among people
having different linguistic , religious, ethnic, social, and professional
backgrounds. Even gender difference affects communication. Individuals
having different orientations communicate and interpret messages differently
This particularly happens with non-verbal communication. It is important then,
not to be judgmental or to rush into interpretations as cultures sometimes vary
enormously.
Similarly, linguistic differences are of the essence. With the advent of
World Englishes , different cultures develop different lexicon peculiar only to
the speech community, just like here in the Philippines, we have a local variety
of English called Philippine English that has been developed which has
introduced lexical innovations, not found or used in other varieties.
Types of Communication According to Purpose and Style:
Finally , communication may be classified according to purpose and style. Earlier,
formal and informal communication have been discussed in relation to organization
communication. Similarly, the types of communication in relation to purpose and
style are formal and informal. However, rather than focusing on the transmission of
message and message flow, the focus here is on the communication setting and the
mode of delivery.
Formal communication employs formal language delivered orally or in written
form. Lectures, public talks/speeches, research and project proposals, reports, and
business letters, among others are all considered formal situations and writings.
Note that while lectures and speeches are delivered orally, the texts have been
thought out carefully and written well before they are delivered. To inform, to
entertain, and to persuade are the main objectives of this type of communication.
On the other hand, informal communication certainly does not employ formal
language. It involves personal and ordinary conversations with friends, family
members, or acquaintances about anything under the sun. The mode may be oral as
in face-to-face , ordinary or everyday talks and phone calls, or written as in the case
of e-mail messages, personal notes, letters, or text messages. The purpose is simply
to socialize and enhance relationships.
Let’s ponder on this !!!

1. How can one observe ethics in

communication?
2. Why is it important to have a
code of conduct or a code of
ethics in communication?