Saturday, September 10, 2011
Week 3, Question #3.
"Is all communication symbolic?" Humans express their selves through many different ways. Humans have “two code systems at their disposal”. We express ourselves using “words, numbers, and graphic design”, but we also communicate through body language, such as, facial expressions and the way we present ourselves. Many people would agree that the ability to use symbols in communication makes us unique. Some people even believe that the focus of communication studies should be focused more on the way people use symbols to show meaning. Although we communicate verbally, sometimes our body language and attitude can overpower our words. Communication is all about symbols so without it, we have little to no communication. I find it interesting that symbols are so important to communication; they represent the way we speak to one another, whether verbally or through text messages, emails and chatting online. Symbols are key to communication, just as communication is key to life.
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The symbols that we use are so important in our communications. I’m just starting to understand just how important they are. I’ve spent most of my time trying expanding my vocabulary and finding just the correct words to use to explain my message that I feel that I’m lacking on my ability to understand the visual elements of how my method of speech is coming across. There are so many different elements, words used, cultural differences, respect of the speaker, the environment that can affect the delivery of the message that I’m amazed sometimes that communication takes place at all. One thing that has always struck me as both odd and strikingly amazing is our brains ability to interpret meaning from hearing a partial message. Speed readers use a variation of this technique where they don’t consciously read every word on the page, but they’ve disciplined their minds to still capture the meaning. Simply amazing!
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