Elements of

Communication
Session 1
Business Communication
Objectives

At the end of the module, students are expected to:

• Explain the nature & power of language

• Describe the different types of miscommunication
• Illustrate the importance of perception
management in communication
Communication is like the Human Body

• Many systems
 Verbal and Non-Verbal Methods
• Voluntary and Involuntary
 Intentional and Unintentional Communication
• System failure
 Communication Breakdown
The Nature of Language

• Language is symbolic
• Meanings are in People, not in words
• Language is rule-governed
The Nature of Language

USER
“The spoken word
belongs half to the
one who speaks it and
half to the one who
hears”
- French Proverb

WORD THING
(Symbol) (Referrent)
The Nature of Language

Examples:
Sounds - Champagne, Double, Occasion
Syntax - r u at home? K bye
Semantics
Ex. Panda mating fails, Veterinarian takes over
Police begin campaign to run down Jaywalkers
The Nature of Language

Examples:
Boss: Views employees as family
Employee: Depends on boss’ goodwill for
advancement
Boss: Concerned about appearance – look smart and
sexy
Employee: Sensitive to sexual harassment
The Power of Language

• Language shapes attitudes

• It reflects attitudes of:
 Power & Affiliation
 Attraction & interest
 Responsibility
Impression Management

Impression management involves

• managing others’ view of oneself
• issues of honesty or dishonesty
• choices of faces and impressions
• choice of words and tone

Our perception of others shape the way we

communicate with them and vice-versa
Misunderstandings in Language

• equivocal words
• relative words
• slangs & jargon
• overly abstract language
• confusing facts and opinions
• confusing facts and inferences
• emotive language
• evasive language
ACTIVITY 1 POWERFUL/POWERLESS LANGUAGE

Purpose:
• To expand understanding of powerless and powerful language
• To use language which takes rather than avoids responsibility
• To identify types of powerless language and language lacking in
responsibility
 
Instructions Part One :
Identify the type of powerless language used by writing the type of
language in the left column. Then re-write the sentence in the right
column expressing the idea in more powerful, but not rude or offensive
language.

Instructions Part Two:

Identify the type of language responsibility problem shown by writing
the type of language in the left column. Then re-write the sentences
with language that takes responsibility in the right column.

Activity 1
Reflection Assignment

Assignment 1:
BEHAVIORAL DESCRIPTIONS

Purpose:
To practice replacing abstract statements with
behavioral descriptions

Assignment 1
Recap

Did we explain the nature

and power of language?

Did we discuss the

importance of impression
management in business
communications?
References

• Learn to Listen – How to Tune in Before

Someone Tunes You Out by Jim Dugger
• Understanding Human Communication, 9th
Edition by Ronald B. Adler and George
Rodman
• "Basic Business Communication" by R V
Lesikar & M E Flatley.
• Remland, M. (2000). Gesture and Movement
as Iconic Communication Activity.
Unpublished manuscript, West Chester
University.
End of Lesson

QUESTIONS?