The way that we choose to speak to others is crucial for determining how they interpret messages being sent through spoken language. Even the simplest statements can effect another person either negatively or positively, depending on the words used to convey the message. Word patterns in spoken language hold power when influencing others (Adler and Proctor, 2014). Word choices in communication determine the amount of confidence (or lack thereof), politeness, and urgency conveyed by the listener. A statement means the same thing no matter how many ways it is said. However, the tone of the speaking voice and the words chosen are the determinants in getting others to comply and respect what has been said. When speaking to others, sounding confident and certain is more desirable than coming across as hesitant and apologetic. Assertive language establishes power, which makes the speaker sound competent and proper when communicating with others (McFayden, 1997). The following statements are two different ways to communicate the same issue:
“Hey, um… I might have forgotten to do my chores today because I had a lot on my plate. Would it maybe be okay if I did them after work tonight?”
“I didn’t get a chance to do my chores today. I was busy earlier, but I’ll make sure to get them done after work.”
Both statements effectively convey the same message, but the second one is more concise and asserts the issue with poise and confidence. People don’t often recognize that in some circumstances, when they are communicating with others and attempting to sound sweet or polite, they are actually coming across as unauthoritative or afraid to just say what needs to be said.
Adding words to tone down the directness of speech in communication is mos...
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...s to comply, but it is important when considering respect for others and dignity for self. Having patience and understanding for others’ feelings crucial when speaking. Implementing politeness and respect in speech is the best way to get a point across most effectively.
Works Cited
Adler, R. & Proctor, R. (2014) Looking Out Looking In. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning
McFayden, R. G. (1997). The Relationship Between Powerless Speech, Agentic Behavior, and Amount of Talk. Journal of Social Psychology, 137(4), 470-479.
Roloff, M. (1998). The Interpretation of Coercive Communication: The Effects of Mode of Influence, Powerful Speech, and Speaker Authority. International Jornal of Conflict Management, 9(2), 139-161.
Simpson, B. (2004). Bridging Difference Through Dialogue: a Constructivist Perspective. Journal of Constructivist Psychology, 17(1), 45-59.
Words have great power and when used correctly can influence what people believe and how they act.
Words hold great power and when used correctly can influence what people believe and how they act.
Language is more than words and the ability to communicate. It allows the world to express thoughts and ideas, but along with that comes influence and authority—matter that run society. Language impacts society in various ways, both bad and good. Everyday life, even texts and films, portray the effect of language. Whale Rider, “The Myth of the Latin Woman”, and The Crucible demonstrate that language is power.
Often of times, many of us speak without giving thought to how our words and the manner in which we speak will affect ourselves or another person. Regardless of how insignificant and harmless a few words and the tone we emphasize may seem, both hold power. In a moment, they have the power to either build up and give life or tear down and give death. In a moment, they have the power to shape and characterize the behaviors and values of both societies and individuals alike. In a single moment, they have the power to span beyond the individual who spoke it and cause, whether good or bad, repercussions that will affect a multitude of generations ahead.
Proper respect for others begins by a person respecting their self. Respect is developed by expressing honor, leadership, value, and trust in a person. If everyone respects everyone someday, the world will become a seventh heaven. It is important to be respectful for safety, to abide by the law, because children are influenced by their elders’ actions, and because God says so. Motivation from peers can help a person realize there is always room to improve the level of respect a person exhibits. Respect was, is, and always will be a positive attribute for everyone to strive for in their lives.
Language always conveys a message. Language can convey a message that is full of manipulation. In Robin Lakoff’s essay, “Everybody’s a Politician”, she discusses how manipulation is used in day to day conversations, even if one is not intentionally trying to manipulate. Language can be used to dominate others. In the essay, “the Language of Oppression” by Haig A. Bosmajian, he explains the power of using names to define others. Language can change the way a person thinks. In the same essay, “the Language of Oppression” by Haig A. Bosmajian, he also discusses the way someone thinks can be changed by language. Lastly, language has the power to degrade an individual. In another essay, by Robin Lakoff, “You Are What You Say”, she explains how
"After you eat, go on a take a shower we are going to be out for the whole day. I got oodles of plans for today! I'm gonna go and pack some things!"
In conclusion respect is wrapped around our day to day lives. A famous philosopher once said “Respect is showing acknowledgement for some ones superiority in a certain field.” You can’t buy, demand, or force people to respect you but you can respect others in order for them to respect you. What people do not understand is that if we use common sense we would be respecting ourselves, respecting others, and respecting property all the time. Respecting yourself, others, and property might not be easy to do but it does have great rewards if you just do it.
Joseph Addison once said, “Words, when well chosen, have so great a force in them that a description often gives us more lively ideas than the sight of things themselves (416).” I like this quote because it shows the importance of words and how powerful and influential they can be. Illustrations are used the same way, they hold the attention of readers, communicate content of information, and give insight of a particular event. There are eight types of illustrations: compare/contrast, personal experiences, processes, facts, quotations, case studies, examples, and statistics. My main focus, however, will be examples, facts, and quotes.
This theory has been subject to many articles and studies in the communication and social departments. Indeed, studying this theory can help us understanding human relations in interpersonal communication. Each of us has been one day confronted to uncertainty, whereas in initial encounters, or moving to a new a new place, or beginning a new work.
Respect is a behavior that shows another person moral and ethical acceptance. Showing respect for another, even when not deserved, is considered to be a good sign of breeding in times past, but now as where society has changed, dissing "show disrespect for" has become more accepted, this behavior suggests a cultural shift from rewarding kindness and self-restraint to applauding a more open expression of hospitality through rudeness. Perhapes there is a lessening of concern over being respectable, along with an increased vigilance oto make sure one is respected.Concludeing that Civility must beging with the individual person making small sacraficiesfor others.
“Broken” English, people see it as something that is limit’s people because of the incorrect grammar spoken and a burden to carry. Amy Tan thinks otherwise because it’s how she communicates with her mother and how she understands the world she lives in. Tan goes on talking about “the power of language” and goes to a point where her mother “broken” language can affect the effectiveness of what she’s trying to convey, negatively; then explain how math is a top choice for non-English speakers, not an English teacher.
Have you ever wondered who taught you to talk the way you do? People learn to talk and express themselves everyday of their lives. Starting from the day you were born you used language or some form of it to communicate with those around you. As a baby you usually show your displeasure with your new surroundings by crying, and if you don’t the doctor will make sure you do. Everyday we express our point of view to others in some form of language. Whether it is through verbal communication, written discourse or through body language, you can tell if a person is upset, angry, or happy. We as human beings don’t realize how much language has to do with our lives. How can you determine if one of your friends is angry with you? Is there a different tone to their voice? Do they have a stern look on their face? Of course they do, your friend feels the need to express their anger to you by these different forms of language. Where do we learn to use these different forms of language? How are our uses of these languages shaped? The three main contributing factors to how we express ourselves through language come from our schooling, our friends, and most of all from our families.
Sometimes we forgot just how diverse we are, and there is an infinite variety of cultures in our world that we interact with everyday. There are some crucial skills we must learn to effectively communicate, which I learned about in, Communication Tools for Understanding Cultural Differences, by Michelle LeBaron. To be able to obtain these skills we must have the foundation of communication. We must have a strong self-awareness and self-knowledge about ourselves, to accomplish communicating well. This being our self-perception or self-image the way we look at ourselves and the world around us. With this, we have our perception, our lenses of the world, how we interpret information, our feelings, thoughts, and our understanding. Consciously and subconsciously, you weigh weather others’ thought, attitudes, actions, and reactions will work for you. (Hybels & Weaver, 2007, p. 35)
Language is used to communicate in our daily lives and routines. Language helps people write, speak, read, and actively communicate with one another. Language also tends to build community; with that we gain a sense of belonging within others around us. Through language we can relate with other people and fit in with our personal experiences. The importance of language allows us to interact with all other parts of the world in an effective way. I love the language I speak, I wouldn’t change it for anything, it is part of who I am, it is part of my identity.