3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading, that has not already been discussed this week, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
Paralanguage goes beyond the actual words being said; it’s our tone, volume, etc. Paralanguage is defined as “the meaning that is perceived along with the actual words used to deliver a message” (116). When I first read this section of the book, sarcasm instantly came to mind even though it was not specifically mentioned anywhere. Sarcasm can get you in trouble a lot, especially when you are first meeting someone and they don’t know your personality yet – whether you’re being sarcastic, etc.
An interesting part about paralanguage in the book is the part about silence. Silence itself sends a message (117). We have all probably given or had somebody give us the ‘silent treatment’ at some time for being angry, etc. I know one way I will suspect that a friend or girlfriend especially is mad at me is if their phone goes to voicemail; or if they don’t reply to a text message. Those examples are probably jumping to conclusions a little much on my part, especially the text message thing, but that just shows how powerful a message saying nothing (silence) can be.
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John,
ReplyDeleteParalanguage was also one the interesting concepts I found in this chapter. I very much relate to your example in which you gave on the silence component of it. In my opinion, this it is one of the worst nonverbal communication tool people possibly could use. We all have seen it; mostly when people get mad us, they use silence to punish us or to communicate nothing. The attitude behind is that “I rather you get bother by my silence than tell you how I am really feeling.”LOL