Unit 5 Online Flashcards
***online unit 5 introduction, useful statements
–the strategies that people use in order to communicate in languages in which they have limited or no competence
–In face-to-face situations, gestures are likely to make up the greatest part of communication. You will consider how effective gestures are at conveying meaning, and how relationships can be created and expressed without using words. With basic knowledge of a language people can engage in simple conversations; you will reflect on the different ways in which native interlocutors may perceive such attempts.
***hairy bikers video one gestures and sounds, deep-fried flat bread
in this case Dave has no difficulty in being understood, although he does not use any words to place his order. However, there are many other situations in which that kind of
approach would not work
–The following examples could not easily be communicated through gesture:
I had no money on me yesterday.
I went to the doctor’s last Wednesday.
Paul and Claire love each other.
She passed all her exams with distinction.
The country is in recession again.
They will always love each other.
This time next year we will be millionaires.
People who are not present and places need to be named (or mimicked in a way that is recognisable to the listener).
Relationships, such as cause and effect, can only be explicitly communicated through language.
Tenses other than the present are difficult to convey through gestures. European speakers might indicate behind them for the past and in front of them for the future, but not all cultures consider time in the same linear manner.
Abstract concepts cannot be expressed through gestures
Not in the book: Messages that are somewhat complex, or that have specific information, like dates and names
***what type of signs are verbal language vs gestures
While verbal language is symbolic, gestures are largely iconic, unless they are conventionally encoded as symbols (e.g. in sign language)
*** When communicating through gesture, some people talk in their own language at the same time, even though their interlocutors do not understand the language in question. In what way(s) may this help?
Voice quality, intonation and delivery can convey feelings. Patterns in sentences may be intuitively perceived even when individual words are not recognised. The listener may pick up some familiar words (e.g. cognates) of which the speaker was not aware.
also (not in the book: Some words are generally known to some extent, even if the interlocutor doesn’t speak the language used.)
***When you communicate with a person who does not speak your language you may try to use a small range of carefully chosen words. What kinds of words are you most likely to try out?
If you are familiar with your interlocutor’s language, you may try to choose words that are similar in both languages (cognates). Cultural references that are internationally shared (e.g. to films, pop stars, brand names, etc.) may also be useful. Some words have made it beyond the cultural boundaries of the language they come from and are understood around the world, so you may try to use words such as ‘amigo’, ‘love’ and ‘sayonara’.
***The dangers of gestures
It is important, however, to realise that gestures are far from universal. Even a concept as common as ‘yes’ is expressed in different, even opposite ways across the world (nodding in English-speaking countries, shaking your head in Greece, tilting your head from side to side in India). Take, for example, the ‘two-fingered salute’. In Britain, it is acceptable to show two fingers with your palm facing your interlocutor, but is an offensive gesture to have the back of your hand facing them. In American sign language, the latter is perfectly acceptable and means ‘two’ whereas the former (palm facing interlocutor) refers to the letter ‘v’. The ‘V-sign’ itself (palm facing interlocutor) has at least two possible meanings: it may refer to victory in a combat or competition setting or it can simply mean ‘peace’. Thus, a performer visiting a country in political turmoil could use the V-sign on stage in order to convey a message of peace and discover that this is interpreted as a sign of defiance.
***Creating a rapport through non-verbal means
he Hairy Bikers had plenty of opportunities to put their intercultural communication skills to the test. Not speaking the language did not stop them… …non-verbal strategies that they deployed in order to communicate with their hosts
@@*** phrase for the assignment (mine)
Monica shows how you can overcome language barriers through a friendly and approachable disposition and personality.
@@***Thought for the assignment (mine): Non-verbal communication is made of so much more than gestures. It is also personality, being hospitable, respectful, or warm and playful.
It’s important as well to find things in common, empathy is essential during communication.
‘Foreigner talk’
Have you ever talked to someone who had little knowledge of your language? You may have found yourself simplifying your own speech, sometimes even breaking the rules of grammar, in order to make yourself understood.
**Meaning negotiation
wide range of strategies that speakers and listeners both deploy in order to ensure that communication is successful. This process is often referred to as ‘meaning negotiation’.
If you engage in a longer conversation with speakers of another language, getting your message across is only half of the process. You will also need to listen and figure out what people are saying to you.
wide range of strategies that speakers and listeners both deploy in order to ensure that communication is successful
In order to make themselves easy to understand by foreign interlocutors, people tend to adjust the way in which they speak their own language.
When the language becomes so simplified that it is ungrammatical it is known as foreigner talk.
***meaning negotiation
(also known as negotiation of meaning) a process that speakers go through to reach a clear understanding of each other. For example, asking for clarification, rephrasing and confirming what you think you have understood are all strategies for the negotiation of meaning. (British Council and BBC, n.d.)
Examples of strategies for the negotiation of meaning are:
*-Asking for clarification
*-rephrasing
*-confirming what you think you have understood
-using gestures
*-use of simplified grammar
-Listen very carefully and maintain eye contact with the speaker
-what’s listed above are effective strategies that facilitate comprehension
what’s the danger with foreigner talk?
Foreigner talk can be perceived as patronising, especially when the addressees are actually more competent than the speaker assumes them to be.
—Simplifying speech can make it easier to understand, but it can also obscure comprehension because of the lack of cohesion between words
***Once you have the basic notions of a language you can begin to engage in simple conversations, such as those that take place in everyday transactions
***link found in bibliography useful for assignment (particularly for the definition of negotiation of meaning.
www.teachingenglish.org.uk/knowledge-database/negotiation-meaning
