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PCom Lessons in Week 7

The document discusses the importance of understanding cultural contexts in communication. It provides examples of how pronunciation, non-verbal gestures, and formality of language can vary between cultures and cause misunderstandings if not properly understood. Speakers of different varieties of English pronounce words differently due to differences in phonology. Gestures like thumbs up can have different or even offensive meanings in other cultures. The level of formality used should depend on the communicative purpose and relationship between parties. Awareness of cultural variations can help reduce miscommunication.

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Andrew Mori Paggabao
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25 views17 pages

PCom Lessons in Week 7

The document discusses the importance of understanding cultural contexts in communication. It provides examples of how pronunciation, non-verbal gestures, and formality of language can vary between cultures and cause misunderstandings if not properly understood. Speakers of different varieties of English pronounce words differently due to differences in phonology. Gestures like thumbs up can have different or even offensive meanings in other cultures. The level of formality used should depend on the communicative purpose and relationship between parties. Awareness of cultural variations can help reduce miscommunication.

Uploaded by

Andrew Mori Paggabao
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Pur posi ve

Communication

GEC 005
E x p l o r i n g Te x t s
Reflecting Different Cultures

What are the things


that you have notice
the way how foreigners
speak English?
You may state one.
ILO: Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of cultural contexts in the communication process

Cultural Texts

Awareness of the different


varieties of English with their
features, as well as
understanding the registers of
English, should be the goal of
everyone so that there is less
misunderstanding and
miscommunication.
ILO: Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of cultural contexts in the communication process

Cultural Texts
Speakers of
different varieties
of English have
different ways of
pronouncing the
words because of
its phonology.
ILO: Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of cultural contexts in the communication process

Cultural Texts
Kachru & Nelson (2006)
claimed that in terms of
pronunciation, most
Outer and Expanding-
Circle varieties display
differences from the
Inner-Circle varieties,
like those found
between regional
dialects within the
Inner-Circle varieties.
ILO: Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of cultural contexts in the communication process

Cultural Texts

Singaporean and Malaysian


speakers of English a feature
noted is the simplification of
final consonant clusters
For example:
[lef] for left
[pick] for picked.

Same case in Philippine English


ILO: Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of cultural contexts in the communication process

Cultural Texts
Interpretations vary
because of differences in
pronunciation.
If one says “hit it” instead
of “heat it” or
“She ass” instead
of “She asks”
miscommunication is likely
to happen.
ILO: Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of cultural contexts in the communication process

Cultural Texts

In Philippine languages,
every vowel is pronounced
with a full, distinct sound.
Filipinos pronounce words
as they are written or spelled
out, making it syllable-timed
and not stress-timed.
ILO: Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of cultural contexts in the communication process

Americans blend syllables or


sometimes even drop some sounds,
making the syllables short.

Cultural Texts
ILO: Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of cultural contexts in the communication process

The following are some


examples of this feature:
Cultural Texts
ILO: Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of cultural contexts in the communication process

Cultural Texts
A cultural barrier does not only
pertain to language but also to
bodily gesture. For instance,
English-speaking countries and
even in the Philippines, the thumbs
up gesture signals approval.

However, this is considered


offensive in some other parts of
the world such as Greece, Italy
and Middle east.
ILO: Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of cultural contexts in the communication process

Cultural Texts
Making a circle with
one’s thumb and
forefinger generally
means okay in many
Western cultures, but
this is interpreted a
threat in Arab cultures
and a sign of money
in Japan.
ILO: Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of cultural contexts in the communication process

Formal and Informal Language

Your purpose for


communication and the
relationship you have with
the listeners/readers will
determine if you are to use
formal or informal
language.
ILO: Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of cultural contexts in the communication process

Formal and Informal


Language
When you are in a gymnasium
and a teenager offers you a seat,
you acknowledge the kind of
gesture and saying
“Thanks for the seat”
But if you are in academic forum
and an organizer offers you a
seat, you say,
“Thank you very much,
(Ma’am/Sir)”
ILO: Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of cultural contexts in the communication process

This concludes that using formal and informal


Formal and language depends upon the situation or settings.
Informal Formal language is more on academic and
Language formal used of words while Informal language is
more on conversational aspects and using simple
words to understand by everyone.
Synthesis
❖ One cause of miscommunication or misinterpretation is differing
pronunciation. Speakers have different ways of pronouncing words
because of differences in phonology. It is then important to be
exposed to the ways other speakers of English use the language to
reduce the degree of difficulty that may be experienced.
❖ Aside from pronunciation, nonverbal communication also plays an
important role in effective communication. Bodily gestures should be
properly interpreted as their meanings vary from culture to culture.
❖ One’s purpose of communication and his/her relationship to the
listeners/readers will determine the kind of language he/she will use.
Pur posi ve
Communication

GEC
GEC 005
005

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