17.

COMMUNICATION AND ITS FORMS

Human beings communicate to express their thoughts and feelings. Communication is the
act of exchanging thoughts, ideas, messages or information between senders and receivers.
Speakers send a message to their listeners who encode its meaning and then react to it. Daily, we
send and receive new pieces of information when we talk to somebody, ask questions, explain rules,
give instructions, persuade somebody, apologize for misunderstandings or complain about bad
service.
Nowadays, almost all professions require excellent communication skills. Many companies
provide their employees with special communication training in order to deal with clients
effectively. Communication courses train their participants on how to give clear messages, listen to
each other, control the speed of their speech, use their voices and body language, predict
information and adjust to different communication partners. Efficient communication skills are
important to succeed in business, study and in personal lives.
There are two types of communication: verbal and nonverbal. In verbal communication
people use language to communicate. Nonverbal communication includes system of signs, symbols
and gestures for conveying information. The main role of nonverbal communication is to keep the
interest of listeners and support explanations. People have a complex body language of gestures,
postures, facial expressions, eye contact, mime, proximity, touches and overall appearance. We
smile, frown or make different gestures and shapes with our hands. Our bodies are constantly
talking. Every gesture communicates some piece of information to other people. Sometimes we join
words with gestures to express ourselves more clearly. Other times our bodies show our feelings,
thoughts and reveal our current mood. When we smile, we are happy, when we yawn, we are tired
or bored. Banging your fist on the table or stamping your feet express anger. Shaking hands or
hugging conveys pleasure or satisfaction. People produce thousands of signs subconsciously every
day and they are able to understand their meaning.
Apart from that, there are two forms of verbal communication: oral and written
communication. Oral communication means using your mouth to produce words or sentences to
communicate. You talk face-to-face to your partner. Speaking is more or less a subconscious
process. It is more effective than written communication because you can see your partner’s
reaction and hear his remarks immediately. Real-time communication (direct communication)
enables listeners to ask for information to be repeated which was not heard or understood. Since the
message is expected to be given immediately without much thinking, speech often contains pauses
and fillers (well, actually…) However, their overuse can be disturbing for listeners. Strength of the
voice, intonation of the voice, pace of your speech often varies according to the emotions of the
speakers. Communication can also be realized indirectly through various communication channels
(letters, contracts, e-mails…). Written communication is slower because senders and receivers do
not see each other and do not necessarily know each other. The written form of communication
requires more concentration, precise choice of words, correct grammar and a specific writing style.
The choice of words, grammar and style of communication depends on formality, the importance of
a communication situation and on communications partners. Instead of talking you have to write
your message and send it to your partner. It takes some time to read it and respond to it. Written
information has permanent value and can be read more times.
Many people prefer talking to others face-to-face. People communicate to each other in
different situations and circumstances. There are different kinds of people using different types of
language. Selection of language depends on age, place and situation. Young people use informal
language when they talk. They address each other by their first names. They usually talk about
school, problems, love, hobbies and interests. Young people use informal and often incorrect
language, filled up with slang, jargon even vulgarisms. Breaking grammatical rules and leaving out
words which do not carry the main meaning is also typical for informal communication among the
young. Social behaviour among adults is formal. They talk to each other with respect and use
formal and polite forms of language. Adults often complain about impolite behaviour and improper
language of young people. They are often rude and don’t have respect for them.
Pupils and students meet regularly at school. During breaks they often talk to each other.
They usually talk about school but also about other matters.
In families children talk to their parents. Frequent topics are school, friends, duties at home
and many others. Parents want to find out information about their progress at school, marks, they
want to know more about their friends and after-school activities. When there is a problem or
misunderstanding, talking is the best way to solve the problems. Both parents and children should
try to understand each other and find compromises. They should agree on certain rules which
should be respected by both sides. Love, understanding, tolerance and trust are very important in
families.
Besides everyday situations in families, at school or at work, people sometimes have to
communicate at special occasions. These special occasions usually require using formal language.
It is embarrassing to remain silent in company and we are expected to fill silence by saying
something.
Human communication has undergone some historical development. In the past, humans
exchanged their thoughts through sounds, facial expressions, gestures and body posture. Later, they
used pictures, signs and letters. In the 15 th century Johann Guttenberg invented the printing press, so
written texts were easily spread among people, which increased general education in countries. New
inventions of the 20th century enabled mass communication among people. Development of
technology enables people to use modern forms of communication. When we come back home, we
often switch on TV or radio to replace our missing communicators. Nowadays, a lot of people use
mobile phones for communication. They are very popular and have a lot of advantages. They have
become the quickest means of communication and also a part of many people’s lifestyle. People can
take them almost everywhere and use them almost anytime. It is very useful, especially when we
are in danger and have to call emergency service. We can also send short messages to people very
quickly. However, many people use them too often. There is a threat that people will spend more
and more time with mobile phones which weakens our abilities to socially interact and the oral form
of communication. People often use them unnecessarily (chatting, gossiping) in improper situations
(at school, on the bus, in a restaurant…), which disturb other people. Other possible ways of
communication are computers and the Internet. People often send messages and e-mails instead of
writing letters because it is much faster. Besides that, you can chat, make friends, sell, buy or
arrange business matters on the Internet. Using social networks, such as Facebook or Twitter, have
become a part of everyday life for millions of people.
Language is very important as a means of communication. Nowadays, speaking only
mother tongue is not enough. People are expected to know at least one foreign language: English,
Chinese, German, Russian, French or Spanish. Children learn one foreign language at primary
school, two foreign languages at secondary school and they can continue at universities or colleges.
Apart from that, you can choose to attend special language courses to improve your language skills.
Besides that, there are a lot of course books, books for self-studying and CDs available in
bookshops with foreign literature. It is necessary to know a foreign language to be able to
communicate with people in foreign countries. When you want to study or work abroad, you should
speak the language of the country you want to go to. When you want to find a good job, besides
other skills employers require speaking a foreign language.
Language can be divided according to its function into standard language, colloquial
language, slang or special language. Standard language is formal and it is spoken mostly at offices.
Colloquial language is informal and it is spoken mostly by people who have friendly relationship. In
their speech slang expressions are very common as a part of informal spoken language. People
doing different jobs use different types of special language and expressions which are typical for
their professions, for example technical language, language of science or medical language.
 17. QUESTIONS

1. What is communication? What are the reasons for communication?

2. When do people communicate?
3. Are there any animals that you think are capable of learning human language?
4. Describe the development of communication.
5. What do you understand by communication skills? Which jobs require good communication
skills?
6. Present different forms of verbal communication. Compare and contrast oral and written
communication.
7. Characterize non-verbal communication, its importance, forms and give examples.
8. Talk about the basic differences between formal and informal language. Which situations
and occasions are they used in?
9. Describe modern forms of communication, their advantages and disadvantages. What are the
threats of using new communication technologies?
10. What are blogs and why are they popular? What are their possible dangers?
11. What are social networking websites? Why do people like them and what are their dangers?
12. Which do you prefer – direct or indirect communication? What kind of language do you use
when you talk to your friends?
13. Have you ever made friends through the Internet?
14. What can help you to become a good communicator?
15. Talk about the importance of studying foreign languages in modern society.
16. Describe yourself as a language learner and give some details of your language competence.
Which language skills do you consider the most difficult? How would you like to improve
them?
17. How do you communicate with someone who does not speak the language?
18. What are the qualities of a good translator and interpreter?
19. How do you think people will communicate in the future?

ROLEPLAYS / SIMULATIONS

Your classmate is very shy and modest. He/she is afraid to speak English in front of your teacher
and the class. He/she thinks that nobody would understand him/her and that other people do not
make as many mistakes as he/she does. What advice would you give your friend to overcome these
communication barriers? Give some practical ideas for both formal and informal interaction.

Your shy, not sociable friend cannot meet any boyfriend / girlfriend. He / She is always sitting at
home. Try to recommend some possibilities how to meet a new friend to him / her.

You are on holiday in Florida. You are waiting at the airport and start talking to the person next to
you. Ask and talk about the following: the weather, holiday, family, job, etc.
 17. PICTURES

1 Describe the ways of communication in the set of pictures. Generalize possible situations
they can be used in.
2 How do gestures and facial expressions make communication better? Give some examples
and explain.
3 Make comparison between ways of communication in the past and present. Which methods
of communication were developed as the needs of the societies changed?
4 Present possible tips and tools of effective and creative learning a foreign language.