Communication is a natural process for humans, and we communicate messages verbally and nonverbally to the outside world on a daily basis. Without communication, our lives would be very different because communication is vital to developing and maintaining everything around us, other than basic biological needs. Communication, directly and indirectly, plays an important role in society.
Culture
According to Intercultural Communication, culture is “learned patterns of behavior and attitudes shared by a group of people.” Culture is all around you and it is reinforced by communication. Communication holds together a society's shared values. When members of a culture receive the same messages, the culture passes the same customs and values down from generation to generation.
Language
The process of communication is symbolic. You use both verbal and nonverbal symbols to make sense of your surroundings, produce your own symbols and make changes. According to Intercultural Communication, language depends on the meanings of words, the structure of grammar, how receivers construct meanings and the sounds of words.Through power of observation, it’s clear that language is not universal. For example, if you speak English to a person who speaks only Spanish, that person will not know what you are saying. This is not because the person is not as cognitively developed as you, but because of a clear language barrier. Becoming bilingual or multilingual can greatly expand your communication skills and make you a valuable asset to potential employers all over the globe.
Nonverbal
Nonverbal communication is at least as important as verbal skills. If your nonverbal message does not match your verbal message, then your verbal message will be ineffective or misinterpreted. Nonverbal communication involves your body language, facial expressions, gestures and voice. According to Say it at Work, 55 percent of the effectiveness of speech depends on visual cues, and 38 percent of the verbal message is interpreted by the tone of voice, voice pitch and pace. That means 93 percent of the message you communicate while talking depends on nonverbal rather than verbal communication.
Gender
Another important aspect of communication is gendered communication. Similar to language, gender rules are learned and vary from culture to culture. Focusing on gender in the United States, masculine communication is “strong, ambitious, successful, rational and emotionally controlled,” according to Gendered Lives. Feminine communication focuses on physical attractiveness and being deferential, emotionally expressive, nurturing and showing concern with people and relationships. Understanding a society's gender expectations lets people know what society expects from them, even if that seems unfair.
Identity
Identity is how you communicate yourself to the world. Since you were born, you have been sending intentional and unintentional messages and developing certain unique traits. Without communication, you would have difficulties developing your own identity; self-expression would be nonexistent since you would have no music, movies, fashion or slang. Communication is such an important aspect in your life that without it, you would not be you.
References
- "How to Say it at Work"; Jack Griffin; 1998
- "Gendered Lives: Communication, Gender and Culture"; Julia T. Wood; 2007
- "Intercultural Communication in Contexts"; Martin, J.N. & Nakayama T.K.; 2007
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