Oral Communication Process, Intercultural Communication, and Transferable Skills

Since communication is the goal of all oral interaction, we will begin each segment by concentrating on the objective and identifying the intended listener. We adjust our message, gestures, tone, and organization depending on the communicative task (a joke, explanation of a process, a scolding, an apology) and the audience (a child, a respected elder, an intimate friend, a fellow student). Spanish-language communication regularly requires an awareness of intercultural communication (this is even true for native speakers of Spanish-speaking country to another). Culture may be defined as a system of taken-for-granted assumptions about the world that influences how people think and act. When people from different cultures come in contact with one another, those distinctive visions of the world and ways of doing things may collide, combine over time, or coexist harmoniously. Each of these potential outcomes happens through, and at least partly because of, communication. During the semester you will be asked to explain how verbal and non-verbal language behavior affect the task (What if the person speaking to you refuses to make eye contact? What if they speak very softly or quite loudly?); recognize and explain factors that contribute to distortion and incorrect pronunciation of speech during communication (Are there sounds that exists in one language and not in another? Do rising/falling tones and word separation function differently in the two languages?; recognize and describe techniques to minimize barriers and communicate effectively in a situation (Should you use some sort of visual aid to clarify the information? How do you request clarification/check for comprehensiion?). Knowing the words and structures of a language is of little use if the listener is confused or upset by your intonation or body language. Key concepts and terms active listening: listening without passing judgment. Reflecting back to the speaker what s/he has said and identifying the appropriate emotions. assertion: a caring, honest means of communicating desires and needs without betrying the rights of another. Not aggressive, not submissive. compliance-gaining strategies: methods to encourage agreement and support for a speakers argument. compliance-resisting strategies: methods to critically analyze a speakers message in order to resist being persuaded or coerced. conflict-management: confronting problems and issues without attacking or belittling those who may disagree. Attacking problems, not people. interpersonal communication: communication between two individuals. May be verbal or nonverbal or a combination of both.

intrapersonal communication: the communication which occurs inside oneself. May include thinking, dreaming, or other forms of self-talk. listening: an active non-verbal method of communicating with another. Usually implies receiving messages. mixed messages: messages whereby what is said fails to match how it is said. monologue: a reference to a long speech. No inclusion of others. perception:a process of becoming aware of some stimuli in our surroundings. phonophobia: the fear of speaking in front of a group of people. rhetoric: the art of skilled, persuasive communication. self-disclose: to share information about yourself with another person. special occasion speaking: speeches which are made at very specific times (including occasions like weddings (toasts), funerals (eulogies), political events (speeches of nomination and acceptance), and as functions of welcoming guests or closing ceremonies. speech analysis: determining how and why a speaker succeeded or failed in delivery of a given message.