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4: Verbal Communication

  • Page ID
    55187
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    Learning Objectives

    After reading this chapter you should be able to:

    • Define verbal communication and explain its main characteristics.
    • Understand the three qualities of symbols.
    • Describe the rules governing verbal communication.
    • Explain the differences between written and spoken communication.
    • Describe the functions of verbal communication.

    • 4.1: Introduction
      This chapter discusses verbal communication, its characteristics, and its importance in human interaction. It highlights the creation of Nicaraguan Sign Language as an example of language development. The story of deaf children in Nicaragua forming a new language demonstrates the critical role of communication in expressing thoughts and forming identities.
    • 4.2: Defining Verbal Communication
      The text explores the concept of verbal communication, emphasizing that it involves both spoken and written language. It distinguishes between verbal and nonverbal communication and clarifies common misconceptions. Verbal communication is described as a symbolic, rule-governed system, with symbols being arbitrary, ambiguous, and abstract.
    • 4.3: Spoken Versus Written Communication
      The page discusses the differences between spoken and written communication, highlighting four key areas: formality, synchronicity, recording, and privacy. Spoken communication is typically informal and synchronous but unrecorded, while written communication is formal, asynchronous, and archived. Technological advancements are blurring these distinctions.
    • 4.4: Verbal Communication Summary
      In this chapter, verbal communication is detailed as a rule-governed system of arbitrary, ambiguous, and abstract symbols used to convey meaning. It highlights the differences between written and spoken communication in terms of formality, synchronicity, recording, and privacy, noting how technology is blurring these distinctions. Verbal communication is fundamental to defining reality, organizing thoughts, and shaping attitudes.


    This page titled 4: Verbal Communication is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Tammera Stokes Rice via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.