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CAPE-Communication Studies
Covering all the basics of Communication Studies.

Monday, 4 October 2010 Featured post

Forms & Context of Communication The Communication

Elements of Commu
Speaking & Writing (MODULE 3)
Systematic=Step by Step=
Communication as a Proc
There are TWO (2) major forms of communication – verbal and non-verbal communication. communication is interpe
and it is a process....
I. Verbal Communication
This form of communication is characterized by the use of oral and written language. In this form of communication
words are used to bring across a certain message. There are two main ways in which human beings communicate verbally,
that is, through speech and writing. Reading, writing, speaking and listening are the four ways in which we use this
verbal communication. Each of these is a skill, and effective use of each is necessary for communication to take place.

Your notes, for instance, are in a written format. However until it is read and interpreted by an audience/ receiver (you, the
student) no communication has taken place. In addition to this, the entire process is incomplete unless some feedback, in
the form of presentations/periodic tests/assignments, is provided.
Visitors

For communication to take place, both writing and reading skills must be employed. Similarly, speech communication does
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not end with speaking. For communication to effectively take place, the receiver/audience must employ listening skills.

It is important, then, for us to be able to not only write and speak effectively, but also to read and listen effectively.

II. Non-Verbal Communication

This form of communication relies on elements other than speech and writing. Non-verbal communication is equal in
importance to verbal communication. According to Leathers (1992), non-verbal communication is the use of interacting sets
of visual, vocal, and invisible communications systems to convey and interpret meaning.
Non-verbal actions often tell a different story from the one we are telling with words. For example, if you are making an
apology to someone for a wrong done with a smirk on your face, the person may not believe that you are serious and
genuinely apologetic. Some major categories that fall under non-verbal communication are paralanguage/vocalic,
Space/proxemics, objects/artifacts, posture & movement, time and the senses. These basic elements of non-verbal
communication may be used to enhance communicative behaviours and can have a significant impact on your total
message.

Vocalics/Paralanguage
The use of volume, tone, rate, pitch, and quality of voice to give dimension and meaning to words. This is also referred to as
paralanguage as the voice ‘surrounds’ the words. For example you raise your pitch at the end of a sentence to indicate that
you have completed a thought.

Proxemics
This is the use of space to communicate. For example if someone comes to sit next to you in the library when the whole table
is empty it can communicate a range of things about relations/interests/personality types.

Artifacts
Artifacts are those items, such as jewelry, clothing or a vehicle that may communicate something about the type of person
you are. If a male wears extremely tight pants or shaves his eyebrows, it may communicate something about him to others.

Movement
This includes posture, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact. Waving, smiling, gazing at someone, or slumping at your
desk, are all instances of movement. Movement communicates messages.

Time/Chronemics
The way you use time, or chronemics, can communicate attitude or status. For instance, one may show/communicate There was an error in this
respect by being early for an appointment or job interview. Conversely, lack of respect may be communicated by turning up
half-an-hour late for a class. Blog Archive

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 ► 2015 (1)
Senses
► 2014 (6)
Finally, messages can be sent through the five senses – taste, touch, smell etcetera.
► 2011 (9)
Functions of non-verbal communication ▼ 2010 (10)
There are also six (6) functions of non-verbal communication. That is, we use non-verbal communication for six main ► December
reasons:
► November

i. Substituting is where we use non-verbal communication to replace verbal communication. Waving goodbye instead of ▼ October
saying it out loud is one example of this. Note Taking Basics
Evaluating Types of
ii. Reinforcement. We also use non-verbal communication to reinforce or complement our verbal communication. Modes
Pounding your hand onto a table when arguing may reinforce whatever point you’re making. Forms & Context of
Introduction to Com
iii. Regulating. The regulating function of non-verbal communication is used mostly in conversation to control the flow of
messages. Raising your hand to answer or ask a question in class helps to regulate the communication going on in the room. ► August (1)

iv. Contradiction. Sometimes we use non-verbal communication to contradict our verbal communication. The most
common example of this is using vocalic sarcasm – when you say one thing, but your tone of voice says the opposite. Blogs of Interest

The Janadian Immi

v. Manage Impressions. We often manage impressions through the use of non-verbal communication. The way we dress, Immigrating to Canada:
for example, often coincides with the impression we want others to have of us. must know...
4 years ago

vi. Establish Relationships. Finally, we use non-verbal communication to establish relationships. The wearing of a CXC English B
wedding band is a non-verbal indication that the person is married. Poetry Notes: West Indi
Brown
4 years ago
The Context of Communication
As stated earlier, the context of communication is its environment. Context is particularly important in choosing the types SmartEdge Concept
of verbal and non-verbal communication we use every day. A doctor does not wear short pants and slippers at the clinic;
this would be inappropriate. A lawyer may choose to speak in simple language to a client while using more complex
language to a colleague. A hip-hop star covers himself in “bling” and speaks a version of English that is not standard when
addressing his fans. All of these are examples of how communication context influences form of communication. Free 74-409 Exam
When deciding on which form of communication to use, always ask yourself these questions: e-Book
* Who am I communicating with?
Microsoft's 74-409
* What is the attitude of my audience?
Server Virtualization
* Where is this communication act taking place? with Windows Server
Hyper-V & System
Usually, communication contexts occur along a scale from formal to informal. Formal contexts require certain types of Center exam
communication and communicative behaviours; informal contexts require others. A conversation between employer and Veeam

employee, for example, is not the same as one between friends, even if the subject matter under discussion is the same.

Basically, a formal situation is one where behaviour is dictated by social norms and patterns, and an informal situation is
one where there are no constraints on behaviour and communication.
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Communication Settings

1. Intrapersonal

This means communicating within yourself. When you think, daydream and solve problems that is seen as intrapersonal
communication. Hunger, pain and pleasure are said to be physical feedback mechanisms. as a Process
interpersonal, it is purp
process....
2. Interpersonal
Language (Dialectal) V
This form of communication refers to the interactions of two or more people. All communication involving other people and
Language Variation
oneself is seen as interpersonal. It is characterized by oneself being in direct contact with one other person or a few other refers to changes in lan
people. Interviews, conversations and intimate communication are all examples of this type of communication. influences. These inclu
ind...
3. Small Group
Language Registers
This form of communication is characterized by leadership, a somewhat equal sharing of ideas, peer pressure, roles and norms, Register refers to the pe
level of formality assoc
and focus on a common goal, usually in face-to-face interaction. The small group is one of the most important communication language. The relations
settings. Examples of small groups include the family, interview teams, roommates, workgroups, legislative subcommittees and writer...
military and business groups.
Language as A Sub
Communication: T
4. Public Communication Children
In a previous post, Intr
This occurs where one person talks to several others and is the dominant focus of the communication in a public setting. It is Communication Studie
characterized by having a speaker and an audience. Here, the speaker is the primary sender of messages, while others function that humans are not th
system of Communic...

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 primarily as receivers of those messages. The number of the audience is not important here.
Linguistic Features of J
(Patois)
5. Mass Communication
MODULE TWO (2) : LA
COMMUNITY
This occurs where a message needs help to get from point A to point B – from its source/sender to its destination/receiver. a language like any oth
Some form of mechanism is needed to connect the sender to the receivers. These include print (newspapers or magazines), reasons: 1. It possesses
electrical (radio, television or video), or electronic (computer modems). There is usually some delay in sending and receiving.
Forms & Context of Com
There is also some delay in the feedback, if any, that the sender gets from the receiver.
Speaking & Writing (M
TWO (2) major forms o
6. Organizational Communication verbal and non-verbal c
Verbal Co...
This is a very specialized area that focuses on interpersonal, small-group, public and mass communication as they interact in a
complex, multi-group setting. It is especially important to business, government, and educational institutions. It accounts for MODULE 1: Language
what happens to messages as they travel up, down and around a large collection of individuals. When you read a passa
of verbal communicatio
features which make an
7. Intercultural Communication This is s...

Otherwise known as cross-cultural communication, it describes what happens when the sender of a message is from a different Evaluating Types of Dis
cultural background than the intended receiver. It may be found in any other context of communication whenever one Modes
Hello Students please b
individual speaks to another individual from another country. It is important to take into consideration the differences in reading for the next cla
cultures in order to ensure successful cross-cultural communication. Analyzing Discourse Ty
1. Cape Commu...

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Selecting appropriate m
technologies
conceptualization .
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Literary devices commo

Listening comprehensi
INSTRUCTIONS: This
FOUR questions. You w
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The examiner w...

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