Foundations of

communication
Academic Literacy for JUR110
 What are the purposes of language?

How do culture and gender affect

Communicating language?
verbally How can you make your language
clearer?

How do you ensure that your listener

understands the words you use?
But what is verbal communication?

Verbal
Spoken word Written word
communication
 Language is used to express ideas and thoughts.

Language is used to label, define and limit.

Purposes of It is used to evaluate other people’s ideas.

language It is used to engage in discussion, debates,

conversations

Language is used to teach.

Language is used to talk about language.

The • The meaning of words is in people not in
the words themselves.
relationship • Words have two levels of meaning:
between denotation and connotation.
• Meaning depends on the context.
language and • Language of a speech community
meaning changes over time.
 • Culture and gender norms influence the
way we use and interpret words.
• Societal expectations for masculinity and
femininity influence the use of language.
Culture and • For example, it is assumed that a
gender roles masculine style of speaking often
emphasises social status and power as
influence well as shows assertiveness.
• Feminine language often includes
language use empathic and supportive phrases.
Example: “I can understand how you
feel…”
• Women and men can use both masculine
and feminine language.
 Use clear language:
• Choose words that can help the
Improving listener understand what you mean.
your • Use specific words to clear up
confusion.
language • Use concrete and precise words.
skills as a law • Use examples and details to
enhance clarity.
student • Legal documents always include
specific dates and times.
 Use language that makes messages
memorable:
• In law, vivid words are important
Improving your when describing an incident.
language skills • Vividness can be achieved with
the use of imagery and
as a law student metaphor.
• Lawyers also use appropriate
emphasis.
 Use linguistic sensitivity:
Improving • Adapt your vocabulary to the
level of your listener.
your • Use the correct jargon in a legal
language context and use legal jargon
sparingly in different contexts.
skills as a law
• Use inclusive language.
student • Use non-offensive language.
What
meaning
can you
make from
this image?
Communicating non-verbally

• Non-verbal communication is the transfer of messages without using spoken or written words.
• Today we use signs/symbols to share our ideas, thoughts, emotions and feelings.
• Non-verbal communication is often louder than spoken or written words.
• Legal professionals use non-verbal communication and they often rely on non-verbal cues to
make meanings during lectures and legal proceedings.
• However, non-verbal cues can be influenced by culture, relationships and situations, therefore
they can be easily misinterpreted.
• It is critically important to learn how to use and read non-verbal codes effectively.
Characteristics of non-verbal communication
Nonverbal communication is inevitable.

Main conveyor of emotions.

Expressed in multiple ways.

It is often ambiguous.
Types of non -verbal communication

Use of body (Kinesics): Use of voice (Vocalics):

• Gestures • Pitch
• Eye contact • Volume
• Facial expression • Rate
• Posture • Quality
• Haptics (touch) • Tone
Types of non-verbal communication

Use of space (Proxemics): Self-presentation cues:

• Personal space • Physical appearance

• Physical space • Clothing
• Artefacts • Grooming
 • Be conscious of your non-verbal behaviour.
• Use non-verbal communication with a clear
purpose.
Improving your • Make sure non-verbal cues do not become a
non-verbal barrier to effective communication.
• Match your non-verbal communication with your
communication verbal communication.

skills • Familiarise yourself with the situation, culture,

and relationship.
• Adapt your non-verbal communication to the
appropriate situation.
 • Effective communication includes
effective listening.
• As a law student, you need good
listening skills.
• To participate in lectures or to render efficient
and quality legal services, you need effective

Effective •
listening skills.
You need good listening skills to read and
listening skills •
interpret different texts.
You need good listening skills to write
quality assignments.
• You need good listening skills to collect
information from clients and other legal
professionals.
• But the art of listening is not a natural skill.
 • Hearing and listening are
not the same.
• Hearing is passive
Hearing- • Listening is active,
listening purposeful and systematic.
distinction
Types of Listening to enjoy the thoughts and experiences of
Appreciative others.
listening
Example: Listening to a causal social conversation

listening
Listening to evaluate the quality of the message.
Critical
listening Example: A lawyer listening to the arguments of
another lawyer.

Listening to understand, remember and learn from

Comprehensi the speaker.
ve listening Example: listening to a law professor explaining key
Jurisprudence concepts

Empathic
listening
Providing feedback while listening

Verbal feedback Non-verbal feedback

• Yes, really, I see • Nods, facial expressions,

• Please continue, naturally, body movement
of course • Eye contact
 Hearing

Stages in a Responding Attention

listening
process
Remembering Understanding
Advantages of effective listening

Effective listening improves interpersonal relationships.

It helps to save money, time, and energy.

It can help you to identify and deal with problems before it is too late.

It can create a better and more productive work environment.

It can help you to avoid mistakes that can lead to academic failure.