Language Blog

Part 1: Engaging in a conversation for 15 minutes without using any version of  symbolic language (no speaking, writing or ASL).

I found this experiment very difficult at first. I am so use to being able to speak and of course accompanying my words with hand gestures so not being able to do that even for just 15 minutes, I felt a little helpless and not myself. I really didn't know why to do at first or how to communicate, so I just listened. I engaged in the conversation by hearing what everyone else had to say, hoping no remarks or questions were directed towards me. 

The other partners engaged in the conversation didn't notice at first, since all I was doing was listening. However after a while had passed, my silence was getting pretty loud and they began asking questions. I already knew I couldn't speak and was trying very hard to not gesture my hands, so i resulted in simple head nods and shoulder shrugs. They looked at me like I was a little off but of course knew something was up. After cracking some jokes in an attempt to break my silence, they eventually carried on with the conversation, making it easier for me to just sit back and listen.

If my parters and I represented two different cultures meeting for the first time, their culture would have the advantage in communicating complex ideas. Not only would they be able to use speech in an attempt to understand us and vise verse, but they would also have sign language or writing or any other symbolic communication tactic. This advantage would most likely lead them to having attitudes towards us making them feel like they are superior because they have more forms of communication then the other culture.

People in our culture who are unable to speak or hear I believe have more difficulties than those who can. This can affect them because those who are able to speak and communicate easily can sometimes find it frustrating when they are trying to get a message across. Of course for them its easy because they simple say what needs to be said, but they don't always consider how difficult it can be for the other individual.

Part 2: Spend 15 minutes communicating without any physical embellishments, i.e., no hand signals, vocal initiation, head, facial or body movements.

For this experiment, I was able to get through 15 minutes of conversation with just my words and no physical embellishments. Even though this part of the experiment was easier than the first, it was definitely more frustrating. I was constantly having to hold my hands back because it was just in my nature to use them during conversation, especially when sharing a story or experience. 

My partners in the conversation weren't so much affected by at as in Part 1. As long as they were able to communicate verbally with me, nothing else really mattered. I found it more difficult because I knew I wasn't allowed to use gestures, which made me want to us them even more!

This experiment showed the importance in using "signs" and other non-speech language techniques when communicating with others. Although it may not seem so important, these techniques help elaborate our communication. They help determine how important or exaggerated a conversation needs to be.

I do think there are few people who have difficulty reading body language, meanwhile for others it's like a second language. When you're able to read body language, you can catch on to many things, like mood, attitude and other feelings and emotions some express without using words. I think its impossible to find an environment where body language isn't used. It's used with everyone and everywhere. Even when you don't realize it, you're using body language for the littlest things.