ORAL

LANGUAGE AND
COMMUNICATION
 Short Activity
 Listen to this recording.
 Give me words that you could remember in
the recording?
 Is it easy to listen to the words? Is it hard?
Why or why not?
 What is the message of the recorded poem?
 What are your thoughts on the voice of the
person in the recording?
 What are your thoughts on the English
language?
 What are the roles of language in our lives?
Objectives of the Lectures (5 - 8 th th

weeks)
 To know the types, functions, and value of language
 To know what type of words and language are
appropriate in developing oral communication skills
 To comprehend the role of language in
communication and in our lives
 To know the different types of voices
 To identify the organs of speech
 To identify the various speech sounds
Definitions and Delimitations
 Language is the communication of
thoughts, ideas and emotions by
means of a structured system of
symbols.
 Language is any means of
expressing thought and feelings- the
totality of words and methods of
combining words used by people for
this purpose.
How do we produce oral language?
What is the difference between
oral and written language?
Oral language
 Oral Language is a
system of vocal
communication.
 Oral Language is a
system of any
underlying set of
responses of which
human beings are
capable.
3 Main Functions of Oral
Language
 Labeling
 Interaction
 Transmission
Value of Words
 Denotative words- concrete or factual meaning;
dictionary meaning
 Connotative words- represent something beyond
objective reference
What are the denotations and
connotations of the following
words?
 Apple
 Pig
 Handkerchief
What is the role of language to
our lives? In our school? In our
country? In our faith?
Functions
 It is the most essential key to be truly human.
 It is the medium of thought, a tool for conveying
meaning.
 It is the means of expressing perception.
 It is a means of naming or identifying.
 It is essential to creativity.
 It is the means of recording man’s thoughts, deeds
and dreams.
 It is the means of preserving human progress
through time and space.
How do we know if language is
really an acceptable language?
Characteristics of Language
 Language is a set of sounds.
 The connection between the sounds, or sequences
of sounds, and objects of the outside world is
arbitrary and unpredictable.
 Language is systematic.
 Language is complete.
 Language is a set of symbols.
Are you ready for your job
interview?
How will you answer the
following?
 What are your strengths?
 What are your weaknesses?
 What can you contribute to the company?
 What are your plans for the next five years?
 What are your 3 biggest dreams?
ESSENTIALS OF EFFECTIVE
WORD CHOICES

FIVE FEATURES OF EFFECTIVE WORD

CHOICES
ACCURACY
 CAREFUL WORD CHOICE
 PRECISION MUST BE THE GOAL IN
SPEAKING.
 CHOOSE WORDS THAT EXPRESS THE
EXACT SHADE OF MEANING YOU WISH TO
COMMUNICATE.
SIMPLICITY
 “SPEAK SO THAT THE MOST LOWLY CAN
UNDERSTAND YOU, AND THE REST WILL
HAVE NO DIFFICULTY.” –ABRAHAM
LINCOLN
 DON’T USE A LONGER OR LESS FAMILIAR
WORD WHEN A SIMPLE ONE IS JUST AS
CLEAR.
 SIMPLICITY DOESN’T MEAN SIMPLISTIC
 COHERENCE

 ORAL COMMUNICATION REQUIRES THE

LOGICAL CONNECTION OF IDEAS.
 USE SIGNPOSTS (FIRST, NEXT, AS A RESULT,
ETC.)
 USE SUMMARIES PER POINT
 INTENSITY
WORD CHOICES THAT SHOW HOW YOU FEEL
 RULE OF THUMB (JOHN WAITE BOWERS):

LET YOUR LANGUAGE BE, ROUGHLY, ONE

STEP MORE INTENSE THAN THE POSITION
OR ATTITUDE HELD BY THE AUDIENCE.
APPROPRIATENESS
 LANGUAGE SHOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO
THE SPEECH TOPIC AND SITUATION.
 LANGUAGE SHOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO
THE AUDIENCE.
Summary
 Language is symbolic.
 Language is agreed upon by people, communities,
cultures.
 Language must be simple.
 Language must be coherent.
 Language must be intense.
 Language must be appropriate to the occasion and
to the people.
Conclusion
 Language is needed for humans to communicate
their thoughts.
 The knowledge of oral language leads to proper
oral communication skills.
 Language must meet standards of society like our
church, our community, and our nation.
Think about this line:
“Communication. It’s the first thing you really
learn in life. Funny thing is once we grow up,
learn our words, and really start talking, the
harder it becomes to know what to say. Or how
to ask for what we really need. “
– Grey’s Anatomy
Evaluation

 Get a one half sheet of paper

 Develop a persuasive essay on how to sell one of
the following: 1. A 3210 Nokia phone; 2. The pair
of shoes you are wearing right now; or 3. Your
favourite toy.