Models of Communication: communicative competence (monocultural) & the training of communicative skills

Contents
1. Models of Communication
What is communication? What is communicative competence?

2. The Training of Communicative Skills

(based on Schulz von Thuns model)

3. Moving towards Intercultural Communication

(discussion)

1. Models of Communication
What is communication? What is communicative competence?

A Definition
communication [Lat. communicatio the action of imparting]

In its broadest sense, this term refers to every kind of mutual transmission of information using signs or symbols between living beings (humans, animals), between people and data-processing machines. [...]
(Bussmann 1996:83)

A Definition (continued)

In its narrower, linguistic sense, communication is the understanding which occurs between humans through linguistic and non-linguistic means like gestures, mimicry and voice ( non-verbal communication). The basic components of communication are shown in communication models. [...]
(Bussmann 1996:83)

Models of Communication

Aristotles Rhetoric De Saussures Model of the Speech Circuit Shannons and Weavers Model Gerbners General Model Jacobson's Models Jacksons Model Schulz von Thuns Model

Aristotles Rhetoric
Three elements of communication:

the speaker the speech the audience

(http://www.cultsock.ndirect.co.uk/MUHome/cshtml/introductory/aristotle.html)

De Saussures Model of the Speech Circuit (1916)

Audition Phonation

c i

c: concept i: image acoustique (acoustic image)

c i

Phonation

Audition
(http://www.uni-kassel.de/fb8/misc/lfb/html7text/6-1frame.html)

The Shannon-Weaver Model (1949)

received signal channel receiver

message

signal

message destination

information source

transmitter

noise source

(http://www.cultsock.ndirect.co.uk/MUHome/cshtml/introductory/sw.html)

The Shannon-Weaver Model Criticism

the conduit metaphor (Reddy 1979) linearity content and meaning instrumentalism context relationships and purposes time medium
(cf. http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Functions/mcs.html)

The Shannon-Weaver Model Extension

information source

transmitter

channel

receiver

destination

noise source

feedback

(cf. http://www.cultsock.ndirect.co.uk/MUHome/cshtml/introductory/sw.html)

The Shannon-Weaver Model Extension by Moles (1963)

information source

transmitter

channel

receiver

destination

noise source

code 1

code 2

(http://www.uni-kassel.de/fb8/misc/lfb/html7text/6-2frame.html)

Jakobsons Model of Communicative Functions (1960)

Type
emotive

Oriented towards addresser

Function
expressing feelings or attitudes imparting information influencing behaviour

Example
Its bloody pissing down again! Its raining. Wait here till it stops raining!

referential conative

context addressee

(cf. http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Functions/mcs.html)

Jakobsons Model of Communicative Functions (1960)

Type Oriented Function towards phatic contact establishing or maintaining social relationships metalingual code referring to the nature of the interaction poetic message foregrounding textual features Example
Nasty weather again, isnt it? This is the weather forecast. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven.

(http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Functions/mcs.html)

Watzlawick, Beavin, and Jackson (1967): Pragmatics of Human Communication

One cannot not communicate. (Watzlawick and others

1967:51)

Every communication has a content and a

relationship aspect such that the latter classifies the former and is therefore a metacommunication.(Watzlawick and others 1967:54)

Watzlawick, Beavin, and Jackson (1967) Content and Relationship Levels

Is that a real diamond

(cf. Birkenbihl 1987:256)

Watzlawick, Beavin, and Jackson (1967) Content and Relationship Levels

Hi

CONTENT

(cf. Birkenbihl 1987:25/)

Watzlawick, Beavin, and Jackson (1967) Content and Relationship Levels

Its nice to see Mary...

CONTENT

RELATIONSHIP

(cf. Birkenbihl 1987:258)

Watzlawick, Beavin, and Jackson (1967) Content and Relationship Levels

analytical thinking, words

CONTENT

RELATIONSHIP

older parts of the brain: emotions

(cf. Birkenbihl 1987:258)

Watzlawick, Beavin, and Jackson (1967) Content and Relationship Levels

Information
Information about this information

verbal, nonverbal; context

(cf. Birkenbihl 1987:259)

Von Thun's Model (1977) Four Aspects of a Message

..........
Content Message Appeal Receiver Relationship
(cf. Schulz von Thun 1994:30)

Sender

Selfdisclosure

////////////////////////////////

Von Thun's Model (1977) Four Aspects of a Message

The traffic light is green. //////////////////////////

........
THE TRAFFIC LIGHT IS GREEN

Im in a hurry.

Put your foot down!

You need my help!

(cf. Schulz von Thun 1994:31)

Von Thun's Model (1977) Three Aspects of a Non-verbal Message

........
Please comfort me!
You hurt me!
(cf. Schulz von Thun 1994:34)

//////////////////////////

I am sad.

Von Thun's Model (1977) Three Aspects of a Non-verbal Message

........
saying nothing Please go on talking.
Your ideas are interesting.
(cf. Schulz von Thun 1994:35)

I am listening.

//////////////////////////

von Thun's Model (1977) Receiving with Four Ears

What kind of person is he? What are the facts?

How does he talk to me? Who does he think I am?

What does he want me to think or do, how does he want me to feel?

(cf. Schulz von Thun 1994:45)

Von Thun's Model (1977)

What are those green things in the sauce? Well, if you dont like my cooking, you can go and have your dinner elsewhere!

(cf. Schulz von Thun 1994:62)

Von Thun's Model (1977) Four Aspects of a Message

There is something green. I dont know sent what it message is.

......
///////////////////

Tell me what it is!

There is something green. Dont put green I dont received things into like it. message the sauce next time!

......
///////////////////

Youll know it.

You are a bad cook!

(cf. Schulz von Thun 1994:63)

Von Thun's Model (1977)

.......
///////////////////////

Sent
Receiver

Sender

Message

......
Feedback

Received Message

///////////////////////

///////////////////
(cf. Schulz von Thun 1994:81)

Communicative Competence

Communicative Competence describes the speakers ability to select from the totality of grammatical expressions available to him, forms which appropriately reflect the social norms governing behavior in specific encounters. (Hymes 1972:270,
in: Beneke (ed.) 1993:76)

Communicative Competence
From a sociolinguistic perspective, communicative competence includes the following: (a) LINGUISTIC KNOWLEDGE: verbal and nonverbal codes, and the range of possible variants INTERACTION SKILLS: sociolinguistic rules for appropriate use, discourse organization and processes, and strategies for achieving goals CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE: social structure, values and beliefs, and cognitive maps or schemata for the content domains
(Saville-Troike 1992, in: Bright 1992:273)

(b)

(c)

2. The Training of Communicative Skills

(based on Schulz von Thuns model)

Congruent versus Incongruent Messages

.......
Everythings just fine!

.......
My life is a total disaster.
(cf. Schulz von Thun 1994:36)

//////////////////////////

//////////////////////////

Receiving with One of Four Ears

Selfdisclosure

Facts

Relationship

Appeal

(cf. Schulz von Thun 1994:45)

Three Stages of Receiving a Message

perceiving

interpreting

feeling
(cf. Schulz von Thun 1994:74)

Metacommunication
analytical thinking, words

CONTENT

RELATIONSHIP

older parts of the brain: emotions

(cf. Birkenbihl 1987:258)

Metacommunication

..........
Content

////////////////////////////////

2) I-messages (Self-disclosure)

(Leave the content level!)

3) Wishes (Appeal)

1) Explicit Metacommunication (Relationship)

(cf. Schulz von Thun 1994:201)

3. Moving towards Intercultural Communication

Why is intercultural communication much more difficult than monocultural communication? (discussion)

References
Beneke, Jrgen (1993): English as the medium of intercultural communication: Some teaching suggestions. In: Beneke, Jrgen (ed.) (1993), pp. 69-101 Beneke, Jrgen (ed.) (1993): Communication in Aviation : A collection of papers edited on behalf of IACTFLAP. Bonn : Dmmler (Sprachen und Sprachenlernen: 312; Dmmlerbuch 6312) Birkenbihl, Vera F. (1987): Kommunikationstraining : Zwischenmenschliche Beziehungen erfolgreich gestalten. 8. Aufl. Landsberg am Lech : mgv-Verlag Bright, William (ed. in chief) (1992): International Encyclopedia of Linguistics : Volume 2 : Expl - Moot. New York : Oxford University Press Bussmann, Hadumod (1996): Routledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics. London : Routledge

References
Chandler, Daniel (1995): The Transmission Model of Communication. (last modified: 9 May 2000, last accessed: 5 November 2001) <http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Functions/mcs.html> Corner, John; Hawthorn, Jeremy (eds.) (1989): Communication Studies : an introductory reader. 3rd ed. London : Arnold Gerbner, George (1956): A generalized graphic model of communication. In : Corner, John; Hawthorn, Jeremy (eds.) (1989), pp. 17-18 Ipsen, Guido (1999): The Interactive MultiMedia Linguistics for Beginners : 6. Communication. (this version: May 1999, introduced: 20 July 2000, last accessed: 23 October 2001) <http://www.uni-kassel.de/fb8/misc/lfb/html/text/6.html>

References
Schulz von Thun, Friedemann (1994): Miteinander reden 1 : Strungen und Klrungen : Allgemeine Psychologie der Kommunikation. Reinbek bei Hamburg : Rowohlt Taschenbuch Verlag (rororo ; 7489) Saville-Troike, Muriel (1992): Communicative Competence. In : Bright, William (ed.) (1992), p. 273 Underwood, Mick (1997-2001): CCMS - Communication studies, cultural studies, media studies infobase. (last accessed: 23 October 2001) <http://www.cultsock.ndirect.co.uk/MUHome/cshtml/index.html> Watzlawick, Paul; Beavin, Janet H.; Jackson, Don D. (1967): Pragmatics of Human Communication : A Study of Interactional Patterns, Pathologies, and Paradoxes. New York : W. W. Norton & Company