PASSI CITY COLLEGE

City of Passi, Iloilo

School of Business Management

GE 2

PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION
MODULE 1
Lesson 1: Communication Process, Principles and Ethics

JOEVENELLE P. MALLORCA
Instructor
Contact No.: 09560432542/09661679250

MODULE OVERVIEW:
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Module 1 This module introduces
the Nature of Language,
 MODULE OUTCOMES:
 Discuss the essence of communication
to individuals
 Define communication as a process
 Determine the elements of
communication
 Identify the functions of verbal and non-
verbal communication in various
multicultural context
 Explain comprehensively the model of
communication

LESSON PROPER

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 INTRODUCTION:
Communication is both an art and a science. It often involves acts of
speaking and listening, reading and writing, but it also goes beyond these and
incorporates the transmission of non-verbal language, sign language, codes
transmitted electronically (e.g., Morse code), and physically (touch; hormones;
muscles, tendons, nerves), and messages communicated through music and by
other means.
Although you communicate simply by being in the world, developing
good verbal and body language skills involves learning and consciously using your
skills to improve.
The act of communicating verbally serves to convey how we feel and
how we think to others. It is also the basis of how we relate with others, using
language as its medium. Increasing knowledge and awareness of some of the
components involved in effective communication can serve to improve how we use
those components personally.
To explain all the features required of good communicators, you need
to delve into the nature of verbal communication in its various modes. Basic
questions are: How can you put yourself on a path that would make you into a better
communicator? How can you develop sills to overcome some fears and limitations?

The 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 bird’s chirp. The
sounds these creatures produce often reflect the state of their emotions. While it
may be true that animals communicate, only human beings are truly capable of
producing language.

What exactly is language? Linguists agree that a 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.

A monkey may be able to signal to its partner that it is sharing food.

The monkey will produce sounds and gestures, but will not be able to organize
the sounds into a meaningful system with rules.

What the monkey is producing is not a language in the strictest sense of

the word. Human beings, on the other hand, are able to communicate their desire
to share food through several ways that are understandable to other human
beings. They may utter a word (Food!), raise a question (Want some food?), or
give a statement (I’d like to share this food with you).

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 When people use language, they can understand each other because they
belong to the same speech community. They can understand each other
because in their speech community, people share the same set of rules in the
language system. While growing up, 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. People discover later on that other languages are
needed for various reasons. These other languages may be referred to as
second languages. People learn these languages by studying formally in school
or informally on their own. This is the process of language learning.

What happens if people visit another speech community that is different

from their own? Americans and British speak English. However, they spell
English words differently. They pronounce words differently. They have different
ways of expressing the same concepts. It can be said that the Americans and the
British belong to two speech communities which do not have exactly the same
set of rules for their languages. The opening activity on the previous page
illustrates this reality.

What happens if you, for example, who speaks a mother tongue and
English, go to work in China where the residents speak Putonghua (Mandarin)
and a little bit of English? Will you be able to communicate with the Chinese? The
answer is yes. Though it will be challenge for you and your Chinese friends to try
to understand each other, eventually you will be able to communicate as you
slowly learn each other’s languages. What is happening here is called language
contact. The result of such contact may be a new form of language. It is possible
that in your attempt to communicate with each other, you and your Chinese friend
will produce a new language form that is understandable to both of you. Your
own languages may also change as you constantly interact and communicate
with each other. Thus, language change is the result of language contact.

Language is indeed a complex human capacity. It is, therefore, important

to be aware of its features and behavior to be able to use language more
effectively and productively in communicating with other.

Definition of Communication

 Communication

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 o It is the transmission of ideas and emotions between or among persons
with the use of verbal and non – verbal cues.
o It is also the process of sharing and conveying messages from one
person to another within and across channels, contexts, media, and
cultures.
o The term communication is originally taken from the Latin word
“Communis” which means to make common, to transmit to import, or to
share between two or more persons or groups.

 Nature of Communication
 Communication is a process.
 Communication occurs between two or more people.
 Communication can be expressed through words (verbal), actions (non
– verbal), or both at the same time.

Elements of Communication
Communication is divided into elements which help us better understand its
mechanics or process. These elements are the following:
• Speaker – the source of information or message.
• Message – the information, ideas, or thoughts conveyed by the speaker in
words or in actions.
• Encoding – the process of converting the message into words, actions, or
other forms that the speaker understands.
• Channel – the medium or the means, such as personal or non – personal,
verbal or non – verbal, in which the encoded message is conveyed.
• Decoding – the process of interpreting the encoded message of the speaker
by the receiver.
• Receiver – the recipient of the message, or someone who decodes the
message.
• Feedback – the reactions, responses, or information provided by the receiver.
• Context – the environment where communication takes place.
• Barrier – the factors that affect the flow of communication.

Models of Communication

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 1. Shannon –Weaver Model (Linear Model)

- Known as the mother of all communication models, this model

depicts communication as a linear or one-way process consisting of
five elements: a source (producer of message); a transmitter
(encoder of message into signals); a channel ( signals adapted for
transmission); a receiver ( decoder of message from the signal);
and a destination.

- This model however, has been criticized for missing one essential
element in the communication process; feedback. Without
feedback, the speaker will not know whether the receiver
understands the message or not.

Informati Destinati
on Transmit Chann Receiv on
source ter el er

Receiv
Messa Sign ed Messa
ge al Signal ge

Noise
Source
Fig 1. SHANNON-WEAVER MODEL

2. Transactional Model

- Unlike the Shannon-Weaver Model, which is a one-way process,

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 the transaction model is a two-way process with the inclusion of
feedback as one element.

Nois
Nois Respon Feedba e Feedba Nois
e ds ck ck Respon e
ds Sends
and
Receive
s
Sends
and Messa
Receive ge
s

Nois Decod Channe Nois Channe Decod Nois

e es ls e ls es e

Fig 2. Transaction Model

3. Interactive Model

- Refers to the two-way method of communication with feedback.

However, feedback is not simultaneous so it provides slow and
indirect feedback.
- Indicates mediated and internet-based communication.
- The communication can be linear if receivers do not reply to
senders.

Fig. 3. Interactive Model

Verbal And Non- Verbal Communication

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  Verbal Communication
 refers to an interaction in which words are used to relay a message
 for effective a successful verbal communication, use words to express
ideas which can be easily understood by the person you are talking to.

What to Consider When Engaging in Verbal Communication

1. Appropriateness
 The language that you use should be appropriate to the environment or
occasion (i.e., whether formal or informal)

2. Brevity
 Speakers who often use simple yet precise and powerful words are found
to be more credible.
 Try to achieve brevity by being more direct with your words.
 Avoid fillers and insubstantial expressions which do not add to the
message, such as “uh”, “you know”, I guess,” and others.

3. Clarity
 The meanings of words, feelings, or ideas may be interpreted differently by
a listener; hence, it is essential for you to clearly state your message and
express your ideas and feelings.

4. Ethics
 Words should be carefully chosen in consideration of the gender, roles,
ethnicity, preferences, and status of the person or people you are talking
to.

5. Vividness
 Words that vividly or creatively describe things or feelings usually add
color and spice to communication; hence, you are encouraged to find
ways to charm your audience through the use of vivid words.

 FUNCTIONS OF VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS

o Sharing Meaning
 The most obvious function of verbal communication
 Denotative meaning- literal meaning of your words as agreed
upon by members of your culture

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  Connotative meaning- when verbally communicating, the deeper
understanding of words based on the situation, and the
knowledge the partners communicating share
o Shaping Thoughts
 Language shapes how we think about things
 Linguistic determination- the idea that language quite literally
defines the boundaries of our thinking
 Linguistic relativity- people of different cultures perceive and
thin differently about the same things
o Naming
 Creating linguistics symbols for objects
o Performing Actions
 Every day we may requests, issue invitations, command
things and even taunt to try to influence others behavior.
o Grafting Conversations
 Language meanings, thoughts, name and acts don’t happen
in the abstract, they occur with conversations
o Managing Relationships
 Declaring powerful, intimate feelings to others

 Non-Verbal Communication
 does not make use of words. The message is communicated by the use of
hands, head, feet, and other parts of the human body.

 it is similar to the sign language employed by the mute to communicate

their thoughts and feelings to people they deal with.

 refers to an interaction where behavior is used to convey and represent

meanings.
 all kinds of human responses that are not expressed in words are
classified as nonverbal communication.

Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication

1. Nonverbal cues show interaction among people

Even if a person does not understand the language spoken around
him/her, he/she can still interact and communicate what he/she wants to
convey.
Examples: (hailing a taxicab by raising a hand; acknowledging a
person simply by nodding and smiling)
2. Nonverbal cues suggest how people feel.
When you are bored listening to a lecture, you do not have to say out
loud that you are bored. Rather, your slumped posture, breaking of eye

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 contact, and glazed eyes can already show how you feel.

3. Nonverbal cues proved clues, not facts.

It is impossible to interpret nonverbal messages accurately. Real
meanings still need to be verified.

Functions of Nonverbal Communication

1. Complementing

- Non-verbal behavior complements the verbal message to express

meaning.
- The words are intensified by nonverbal cues, as exhibited by a pat on
someone’s shoulder after giving him praise.

2. Contradicting

- non-verbal communication is sometimes used to oppose the

meaning of the verbal message, as manifested by a shaking of the head to
signal an approval.

3. Accenting

- Non-verbal cues can help emphasize oral messages. (A public

speaker may raise his/her hands, or point a finger, or bang the table
to stress an important point.)

4. Substituting

- Non-verbal communication is also used to express something

without saying anything verbally.

5. Regulating

-Non-verbal cues can also be used to control the flow of verbal

communication. (intonation pattern of the speaker)
6. Repeating

- words are repeated by nonverbal cues, as shown by a thumbs-up

sign for an approval

Forms of Nonverbal Communication

o Facial Expressions – the face can express a variety of emotions which

include happiness, sadness, anger, surprise,
fear, disgust and a lot more.
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 o Body movements and posture – The way one moves and carries himself
is one of his personalities. More often than not, people judge an individual
by the way he stands, sits, walks, and holds his head.

o Gestures – like one’s face, his head and hand can express a variety of
emotions. Moreover, a communicator can make use of his head and hands
to convey ideas and emotions. A thumb-up and a thumbs-down indicate
approval and disapproval, respectively. The nodding of the head and the
shaking of the head indicate agreement and disagreement, respectively.

o Eye Contact – the eyes are very useful in maintaining a good

communication flow and in determining the response from the receiver.
The kind of eye contact displayed by a communicator is a manifestation of
his interest, attention, affection, attraction, indifference, and hostility.

o Touch – touch can communicate a number of things. A smack or a

passionate kiss, a simple embrace or a tight hug, a slap on the face or on
the back, a tap on the shoulder, a weak or firm handshake, and a lot more
have meaningful messages.

o Space – the physical space between interlocutors is also important in oral

communication since it signals intimacy, affection, aggression, dominance,
etc. It is dependent on the culture, the situation, and the closeness of the
relationship. The closer the relationship between the interlocutors, the
smaller the space between them. The more formal the situation, the bigger
the space between the interlocutors.

o Voice – in communication, not only the words but also the manner of
saying these words matters. Therefore, timing, pacing, intonation, and
inflection of the voice are as important as the message. Some people pay
attention to these things that a number of speakers tend to ignore. One’s
voice can indicate affection, confidence, sarcasm, and even anger.

SUMMARY

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 In this module, we have affirmed that communication is the process of
creating and sharing meaning by using verbal and no-verbal symbols in
varied context; and effective communication results when both verbal
and non verbal symbols are understood in much the same way by both
communicators.

ACTIVITY 1

Directions: Answer the following questions comprehensively. (5 pts. each)

1. What is language?
2. Why language is important in communicating?
3. In your own words, what is communication?
4. What are the difference between the verbal and non-verbal
communication?

RUBRICS

CATEGORY 5Pts. 4Pts. 3Pts. 2Pts.

Comprehension Accurately Accurately Accurately Unable to

answers almost answers most all answers few accurately
all questions. questions. questions. answer
questions.

Content Shows full Shows good Shows good Does not seem to
understanding of understanding to understanding of understand the
the topic. the topic. the parts of the topic very well.
topic.

Preparedness Completely Seems pretty Somewhat Not prepared at

prepared. prepared. prepared. all.

Enthusiasm Very strong Strong interest. Little interest. Very little

interest. interest.

SELF – ASSESSMENT 1

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 I. IDENTIFICATION: Identify what is asked in the following:

1. Can communicate a number of things.

2. The words are intensified by nonverbal cues, as exhibited by a pat on
someone’s shoulder after giving him praise.
3. Refers to an interaction in which words are used to relay a message.
4. Encoder of message into signals.
5. The source of information or message.
6. Declaring powerful, intimate feelings to others.
7. When verbally communicating, the deeper understanding of words based on
the situation and the knowledge the partners communicating share.
8. People learn these languages by studying formally in school or informally on
their own.
9. Result of language contact.
10. Speakers who often use simple yet precise and powerful words are found to
be more credible.

II. ENUMERATION

1-6. Elements of communications and its importance

7-10. Functions of Verbal Communication

III. Direction: Among the models of communication, select and draw

only one model and explain it comprehensively. (10pts)

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 CONGRATULATIONS! YOU’RE DONE
WITH MODULE 1

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