English as a Global Language

The globalization of the world, its connectivity and shrinking into a progress-driven
neighbourhood, and the unprecedented development in science, technology,
communication, and transportation have been shaking and moving global languages.
Shaking the configuration of speech sounds and meanings and displacing them from their
status and geographical alignments. It is worthy to note that theoretical and research
Literature has not endorsed a unified definition of what it means to be a global or world

language. Nonetheless, there are descriptive criteria commonly agreed upon on what
constitutes a global language, and these are as follows: it must be internationally spoken with
first, second, and foreign language speakers; it has speakers in almost global geographical
distribution; and it is used as a medium of communication in highly recognized publications and
international conferences (Crystal, 2012). English meets these criteria. Team (2016) established
the association of globalization and English when he pointed out: In this Global world English
is the language of the latest business management. English language is not only a means
for international commerce, but it has become increasingly essential for inter-state commerce
and communication. It is the official language of air transfers and shipping, the leading language
of science and technology, computers and commerce and a major medium of education. In an
era of increased communication through the telephones, fax machine, television and modem,
the world is becoming more and more globally oriental. Business, families, friends and many
other groups with common interests are able to form small tele or cyber communications that
transcend geographical boundaries. The massive influence of English Language as a medium
of communication has engendered the growth of registers of English whose variation can
be primarily observed in the lexical choice and grammatical constructions. The variations
are a result also of the following communication variables:
 Participants: These are the speakers and listeners. Questions can be
asked, such as Who are they? Where do they come from? How have
they acquired and learned English? What is their level of intelligence?
How much do they know about the subject, theme, and topic being
talked about?
 Setting: This may be the physical or discourse place where the use of
the language takes place. You can ask, Where are you talking or giving
a speech? What do you find around it? How far are you from the
audience? Are facility and technology available for you to use?
 Purpose: This is the reason and goal you have in mind in using the
language and engaging in communication. It may be helpful to address
questions such as Why do you have to talk about the matter? What do
you deem to accomplish in saying it?
 Medium: This refers to the condition, procedure, material, and facility
that provide the framework which enhances the quality of
communication. The type of medium should address the questions
such as What condition, procedure, material, and facility are availed in
the occurrence of communication? Is it person-to-person contact?
Ajani (2007) remarked that the diffusion of English has a sweeping
effect on education, culture, communication, politics, and every form of
media. This may also result in jargon and types of English. Jargon refers to
expressions and words that are associated with a particular profession and
activity.
Types of English
 English for Business: People who speak this English are those who
engage in selling, buying, providing service, marketing, presenting
business proposal, engaging in office work, and advertising. This
English is usually spoken in the office, venue of meeting, and
Conference to achieve commerce, advance business, involve in and
transact paper works.
 English for Information Technology and Engineering: People who
communicate in this English are involved in computer engineering,
information technology development, building and machine
construction, and infrastructure building. This English is commonly
spoken in conference on technology and science, in plant and
construction site, and on social network site to converse, present, and
discuss innovations and putting up facility and building.
 English for Arts and Education: This English is spoken by those who
promote and find a profession in fields of humanities, social science,
language and cultural arts, and education. It is used in research,
seminar, and conference for the pursuit of knowledge in philosophy,
psychology, political science, sociology, linguistics, learning, and
teaching.
 English for Hotel, Restaurant, and Cruise Management: Spoken by
people who work in the food, accommodation, and travel industries,
this English promotes the creation of delectable foreign and local
cuisines, operation of board and lodging services, and administration
of pleasure ocean liner. People speak this English in hotel, restaurant,
diner, airport, travel agency, and ship.
 English for Medical Science: Doctors, nurses, hospital service
employee, and health professional speak this English to attend to
needs of patients and individuals with physical well-being issues.
These professionals speak this English in hospitals, clinics, meetings,
and conferences for the purpose of advancing the medical and hospital
care knowledge and practices.
Communication in Various Perspectives
1.Cultural Convergence - This promotes stronger cultural uniformity and leads to relatively
closed social system. This may stir up multicultural and dialogic communication.
2. Communication Accommodation Theory - This theory introduces you to linguistic
strategies which aim to decrease or increase communicative distances. It explains and predicts
why, when, and how people adjust their communicative behavior during social interaction,
and what social consequences result from these adjustments.
3. Intercultural Adaption - It is geared toward developing communicative competence.
Communicative competence promotes cognitive, emotive, and behavioral processes as
appropriated by the dominant mainstream culture. Adaptation is a direction towards conformity
in order to construct a reality as perceived by common people to be an ordinary experience.
4. Co-Cultural Theory - This is subverting the mainstream communication by the
underrepresented and dominant group members. Co-cultures refer to minorities, such as the
non-whites, women, LGBTQ, and the poor.
5. Communication Acculturation Theory - This advocates adaptation among cultures
through negotiation and dialogue resulting in communication which are opened to sharing
beliefs, values, and intentions. This may result in the following conditions:
a. Anxiety/Uncertainty Management. Meeting the host with a different culture the first time is
stressful. You feel anxious because of the precarious situation you find yourself so you have to
recognize patterns and explanations of hosts' behaviors.
b. Assimilation, Deviance, and Alienation. Assimilation is the situation of being absorbed and
taken as a member of community. Deviance is the condition of failing to become a part of
the norm after constant persistence which frustration and anxiety manifest. Alienation is the
feeling of being lost and indifferent. These conditions occur in communication.
6. Meaning-Making Theory - Assumption of an utterance or word may lead to breakdown of
understanding. Shared experience can be tapped to reduce the breakdown. Definition,
metaphor, feedback, and Basic English are partial linguistic remedies for a lack of shared
experience.
7. Face Negotiation Theory - Being in collectivistic and high- and multicultural context calls for
the management of conflict through avoiding, obliging, or compromising.
8. Standpoint Theory - You perceive things differently with that of other people. You live in a
world where you experience life differently, stirring you to see things differently.
9. Stranger Theory - Strangers experience hyperconsciousness of an alien culture. This can
be brought by about the erasing of individual distinctions.
10. Feminist Genre Theory - Women experience and engage in communication within the
masculine framework. Womanhood is suppressed in certain areas of communication. This
theory interrogates and subverts the dominant framework by giving voice to women in
communication.
11. Genderlect Theory - This theory provides space for both male’s and female’s
communication styles, which are culture and nature by themselves proceeding in parallel.
12. Cultural Critical Studies Theory - The theory posits that the
mass media is ideological in its communicative discourse. The lexical
choice and collocation, symbols, and pictorial semiotics suppress and
privilege meanings and voices in favor of the ruling class and elite.
13. Marxist Theory - This theory positions communication as a space for class struggle
and opposition to the hegemony of the
privilege class.

Accuracy Four Positive Results of Active Workplace Communication:

1. Active communication resolves conflict. You know that there is a conflict affecting
workflow when the management calls for communication training.
Conflict is attributed to the following:
a. Misunderstanding. It cankers the good relations among the
employees, resulting in the of being intentionally offended. Sometimes
you may think that you are saying your idea accurately, but the way
your co-employees communicate with you about it can trigger
misunderstanding. Determining their communication patterns and
strategies to be able to adjust to them can come a long way. You have
to convey the information clearly and is easily understood. Encourage
your co-employees to ask and give you feed back.
b. Imposition. This happens when you impose your communication habits and patterns upon
that of others, not understanding and ignoring how others communicate. Encourage respect
and diversity even in communication habits.
c. Indifference. You ignore the emotional needs of the people at your place of work when you
communicate with them. This ruffles feathers and drives in resentment. Good communication
increases employee engagement
2. Communicating can connect people of various career trajectories.
Employees focus on their job role while they earnestly support the company goals. These
connection and focus create shared emotional, social, personal, and professional contexts.
How can you make these contexts productive in long term basis? Communication
creates effective working environment in the following ways:
• Provide you resources to be aware of the needs and goals of employees.
• Open access to the motivations, intentions, and goals of your co employees.
• Give a more critical assessment of the other employees’ talents and skills that remain
untapped.
• Promote talents and skills in a way that realize company goals.
• Result in healthy relationship with managers and leaders.
3. Active communication makes serviced people satisfied and happy because it brings
the following:
• Management of conflict.
• Meeting and fulfilling needs.
• Providing feedback.
4. Active communication builds efficient and effective workforce resulting in
innovative thinking. A workplace that has an active communication environment is conducive
to creative and critical minds You are more comfortable in facing challenges and managing
a project. in WordsThe limitation of your memory and the urgency to express yourself
can diminish the likelihood you are exact in your diction. Malicsi (2010) presented information
essential in being precise in your choice of words. This information may be proven
essentialhere, and below are some of them:
1. Lexical Change – Some words unacceptable or non-existent
before are part of the daily vocabulary now.
 Prepositions farther and further can be used interchangeably.
 The verb consult can also mean to function as a consultant.
 Some words have been replaced already, e.g., mentally retarded > mentally challenged,
general health > well, Burman > Myanmar, Saigon > Ho Chi Minh City, Central Bank of
the Philippines > Bangkol Sentral ng Pilipinas.
2. Lexical Variation – Filipinos are taught to speak Standard
American English. You have to know which words to say.
American British
dinner [=heavy supper] dinner [=heavy lunch or supper]
elevator lift
no overtaking no passing
scratch paper scrap paper
truck lorry
3. Homophonous and Homographic Words – Homophonous words
sound identical, whereas homographic words are spelled the same.
You have to draw the context to convey your idea correctly.
Homographic Words
assumption – ascension to heavy, conjecture, appointment to an
office
bore – past tense of bear, uninteresting, drill a hole
dish – cooked menu, plates
glasses – drinking cup, spectacle
novel – literary genre, innovative
overlook – ignore, in charge, stare
prompt – quick, urging, cause, direction
purchase – buy, firm hold
sewer – water waste drainage system, a tailor
ventilate – air circulation, to express
Homophonous Words
aisle isle
all ready already
bare bear
born borne
canvas canvass
cue queue
device devise
disassemble dissemble
esoteric exoteric
site sight
4. Words Related in Meanings – These are words which are
pronounced or spelled almost in the same manner, but whose
meanings are different.
advance – to send early vs advanced – modern
consent – permitted vs assent – responded positively
continual – repeated vs continuous – without stop
deny – not admit vs refute – prove otherwise
mature – responsible vs matured – ripe or ready for consumption
4. Words of Indistinct Morphology – These are words whose meanings do not depend on the
morphemes that comprise them.
Catnip – attractive
inflammable – combustible
meteorology – study of weather
priceless – immeasurable in value
Unnatural – beyond normal or expectation
5. Ambiguous Words – These are words that have two or more distinct meanings.
sanction – approve, punish
relieve – replace, feel better
diction – choice of words, pronunciation
matchless – incomparable, without a pair
bimonthly – twice a month, every two months
1. Explicitness – These are words whose meanings have to be made clear in the
context.
 The Branch Manager will correct the audited data.* > The Branch
Manager will correct the errors in the audited data.
 I recommend three or five applicants.* > I recommend from three to
five applicants.
2. Neologism – These words that are already in currency but have not been listed yet in
reputable dictionaries.
3. Officespeak –These are words used at place of work. Malicsi (2011) identified some of them.
wireframe – simple pictures used by business analysts to
communicate expectations to users and developers
boil the ocean – to do a project whose scope is too huge
used case – a situation in which a particular has been or will be used
greenfield instance- new installation of an application without
customization, configuration
running in parallel – processing normal operating data through a
new system and the old system simultaneously to compare performance and output
Accuracy in Pronunciation
You have to agree that a speech sound should be pronounced correctly. You will find phonetics
valuable. Through it you can describe and record the speech sounds of language
objectively. Phonetics makes us aware of the speech sounds in their written forms. On
the other hand, phonology deals with the patterns, systems, and principles that distinguish
words from each other through the articulation of speech sounds.
In this book, the International Phonetics Association (IPA) transcription symbols for these
speech sounds will be used. Abelos (2006) commented that the most accurate method of
representing sounds is through the International Phonetic Alphabet, commonly called IPA.
It is a universal system. It indicates pronunciation of speech sounds in all languages. The
same symbol always stands for the same sound; and the same sound always
is represented by the same symbol, whether it be in English, French, Spanish, Italian,
etc.
When you refer to letters as sounds phonetic symbols are used, enclosing them in square
slashes, // and when you want to indicate that the letters are to be interpreted as letters from an
ordinary spelling system, you enclose them in angled brackets, < >. People who speak the
same language pronounce indigenously certain speech sounds differently. With regard to
these sounds, there are regional, social and individual differences. The pronunciation of
many words usually changes quite gradually and dramatically over time. What makes a type of
pronunciation distinct is called an accent. Others’ regional origin and experience might result in
accents different from your own with more or less precision.Every language is spoken differently
from one place to another. These varieties are called dialects (Dalton and Seidlhofer, 1994).
People grouped according to age, education, and economic status speak differently; these

ways of speaking are known as social dialects or sociolects. You speak the dialect of a local
language. In fact, it may not be possible to speak a language without using some dialect.
Informally, you call dialect a speech variety which is distinct from your own, or which is lacking
in prestige. In linguistics dialect is a variety of language.
What is standard language then? A standard language is considered
the prestigious dialect of a language, one which has been codified in
dictionary, grammatical rules, and conventions, published in prominent
textbooks which are used in school.
Language has various purposes. It is more than communication. It has
diverse functions, and a few of them can be communicative. To wit, these
are some of the functions:
1. Transmission of information
2. Rhetoric (To convince people to do the speaker’s intention.)
3. Entertainment
4. Social membership
5. Identity construction
6. Express of moods and emotions.
7. Establishment of good (or bad) relations
8. Representing mental projections of the worldis distinct from your own, or which is lacking in
prestige. In linguistics dialect is a variety of language.
Phonetics and phonology are concerned with the sounds of language,
morphology with the structure of words, vocabulary with your storage of
words, orthography with the spelling system, syntax with the principles of
sentence structure, semantics with the literal meanings of words and
sentences, pragmatics with the meanings that arise when expressions are
used in specific contexts, and discourse with the linguistic and rhetorical
patterns in texts of various kinds. As you proceed, you will learn the intricate
ways in which the system operates.
Speaking speed influences how you articulate speech sounds. Rapid
speech conveys strong emotion. You can also increase the speed of Language systems
likewise have components. The most commonly
cited ones are:

• phonetics/phonology – the speech sounds

• morphology – the meaningful sounds
• vocabulary - the knowledge of words
• orthography/spelling/writing – the writing conventions
• syntax - the structure and order of words
• semantics – the word meanings
• pragmatics – the meanings from language use
• discourse – the long stretch of language use and meanings

Speaking to tell an interesting story, and reduce speed to explain a difficult idea. Correct and
clear pronunciation suggests that the speaker is conscientious and respects his audience.
Imitating American or British accent does not convey a good impression. Rather it is better if
you speak clearly so that others understand what you say. Be natural with your accent nomatter
how you sound. Pay attention to your intonation. Intonation is the sound pattern of utterances.
Each language has its intonation, and you somewhat reflect your mother tongue intonation in
the other language you speak. (See Appendix O: Intonation Patterns.)
Placement of stress on a word, phrase, or sentence can alter the meaning and
implication of what you are saying. Try reading the sentence, "Were you there last night?" by
stressing a different word each time, and note the difference in the implied meaning.
You also have hesitations and non-fluencies in our speech. Sounds like er-er, hmmmm- may
suggest you are not too sure on what you are saying or cannot find the next word to say. On the
other hand, to convey various ideas or emotions you may utter ahem!, huh! Ah-ha! Ouch! Oh-
ok!
Silence is a potent aspect of communication. It is gap in speech that suggests disfluency, a
positive and deliberate attempt to communicate something. Silence is ponderous as a tool of
communication; it takes a good deal of self-control and self-confidence to be able to hold one's
tongue. Short silences or pauses can be used to accentuate a point in an utterance. You
pause after a word to make known you have said something essential. A
skilful use of pause has the power to make the listener more alert. In presentations,
silence can be used effectively to emphasize a point; it is often far more effective than any other
non-verbal communicative behaviors. In various situations, silence may suggest unexpected
meanings. These meanings can be retrieved more in facial expression and posture.
Silence can mean some hesitation on what you want to say or a feeling that
seems to swarm you that you can barely utter a word. It can express the sincerity of your
expression, such as condolence or empathy. You hold still in silence because of anger or being
upset. You do it because you do not want to say something you would regret later. Expressions
like “dead silence", "stony silence", and "embarrassing silence" prove that silence can
communicate meaning by themselves.You feel the tinge of embarrassment if you come short in
grasping why a person you are talking with becomes silent. It is uncomfortable, especially
if it lingers on. On the telephone, you find yourself staring blankly at something, wondering if it
is time to hang up. When people converse they observe turn taking. Silence is a trigger that the
ball to speak is on the other shoes. But when it prolongs than what is normal, interlocutors feel
something is not right. When no response to what they have said is forthcoming, they may
start to doubt on the clarity and substance of what they said. Restatement may help.
Restatement can be a paraphrase or interpretation of what has been said. It is possible that
speakers may give additional information, soften what they said, or try to explain more to
make it acceptable to others. Presentations, silence can be used effectively to emphasize a
point; it is often far more effective than any other non-verbal communicative behaviors.
In various situations, silence may suggest unexpected meanings. These meanings can be
retrieved more in facial expression and posture. Silence can mean some hesitation on what
you want to say or a feeling that seems to swarm you that you can barely utter a word. It
can express the sincerity of your expression, such as condolence or empathy. You hold still in
silence because of anger or being upset. You do it because you do not want to say something
you would regret later. Expressions like “dead silence", "stony silence", and "embarrassing
silence" prove that silence can communicate meaning by themselves. You feel the tinge of
embarrassment if you come short in grasping why a person you are talking with becomes silent.
It is uncomfortable, especially if it lingers on. On the telephone, you find yourself staring blankly
at something, wondering if it is time to hang up.
When people converse they observe turn taking. Silence is a trigger that the ball to speak is on
the other shoes. But when it prolongs than what is normal, interlocutors feel something is not
right. When no response to what they have said is forthcoming, they may start to doubt on
the clarity and substance of what they said. Restatement may help. Restatement can be a
paraphrase or interpretation of what has been said. It is possible that speakers may give
additional information, soften what they said, or try to
7 Tricks To Develop Self-Confidence And Fluency In English
English is an international language. It is a language of social and business Communication.
English language and technology has made the world a global village. It is a language of
internet and technology. It is a stepping stone for professional and personal success. It makes
you confident. It induces power within you. Speaking in English gives you social status. Many
try many ways. Work hard to learn English speaking. But the majority of the crowd fails. Not
because they are not smart, intelligent or working hard. They fail because they don’t have the
right plan, the right strategy and the right process.
We are enlisting here 7 secrets for developing your confidence and fluency in your English
Speaking. These 7 secrets are tried and tested. They are simple, practical and result oriented.
They have helped thousands of people to enhance their English language skills.
If you try, you will also reap the same success.
1. Learn the basics of English Grammar. It’s difficult to speak without understanding the
basics of English grammar. You don’t have to know every rule of grammar book but you must
know the essentials of the grammar. When you speak with errors, it does not look presentable
and others judge you. It’s better to know some essentials of the grammar. It gives you clarity. It
helps you to make correct sentences. It helps what to include, what not to. Or when to put and
how to put. This gives clarity and it builds your self.
2. Practice KISS – Keep it (language) short and simple. The majority of the population has a
myth that if they have to speak English they must make long sentences or complex sentences.
This you way they think that they can impress others. Fortunately, they are wrong. The objective
of communication is to communicate your thoughts, ideas, feelings and information and not to
confuse with your long sentences or complex sentences or with difficult vocabulary. If you see
movies, web-series, television soaps and read the work of great writers and bloggers use simple
language to communicate their ideas. They use simple vocabulary. They frame short sentences.
They use simple language. They use language to express their ideas not to impress or confuse
others. They keep their language short and simple.
3. Begin using a digital dictionary to build vocabulary. The language is a game of words.
Words are swords in the language. The appropriate usage of words makes language beautiful,
impressive and interesting. More you have better it is. You can use them lavishly. Rich
vocabulary cannot be developed in a day or night. It is developed every day. You don’t have to
carry a hard copy of a dictionary anywhere these days. You can use a digital dictionary on
mobile, tabs or internet and plenty of digital dictionaries available online in the Google Play
Store for your usage. Develop the habit of using a dictionary to know the correct meaning,
pronunciation, spelling and usage of the word.
4. Start reading celebrity interviews in English. Mostly interviews of superstars are usually in
conversations. Conversations are between the celebrity and journalists. The conversations are
simple, Easy to understand. You see how sentences are framed. You can see how grammar
and vocabulary are used. You will have more exposure to the English language. You can learn
new words, new sentences, and ideas on how to talk on different topics. Sometimes you know
the grammar and vocabulary but not able to use the grammar and vocabulary in the real world.
By reading celebrity interviews, you will enhance your vocabulary, appropriate use of grammar,
and exposure to the language.
5. Start watching celebrity interviews, movies, and videos in English. In the previous
statement, I recommended reading celebrity interviews and now I am asking you to watch them
on YouTube or television. Reading has its benefits and watching has its advantage. By watching
you can hear correct pronunciation; you can see the right usage of body language. In videos
words have emotions. Words without emotions don’t carry the right meaning. Words without
emotions are useless. They are mechanical. Looks like you are a machine without feelings. You
cannot connect with the audience. You never build the rapport. You never have the impact or
influence on others without words carrying the emotions. You will never be successful without
the right amount of emotions in your words and facial expressions, tone, and body language.
We learn more by watching than by reading, listening and thinking. Visual learning is better,
faster, and more effective than auditory learning. Scientifically it is proved that visual learning is
more powerful than auditory learning. The best way to learn about emotions, body language,
tone, correct pronunciation and right application of grammar and vocabulary is by watching
celebrity interviews, movies and videos on different subjects in English. So start watching
English videos.
6. Practice speaking daily. The best way to learn speaking any language is by speaking. We
already know at least one language. We hadn’t learnt our mother tongue by joining the class or
learning grammar. Just by speaking, we have learnt our language. We kept on practising till we
achieved the outcome. That’s how we must do with the English language. After learning
grammar, building vocabulary, reading, and watching English videos if you don’t practice
speaking, it is useless. Even though you haven’t attended an English grammar class or without
enough vocabulary if you kept speaking you improve a lot. The best way to learn any skill or
language is practice. Right practice makes the man and woman perfect in any skill. Develop the
habit of speaking. You develop the habit of speaking and that habit develops your speaking
skills. I would like to remind you a powerful dialogue from the movie “300” “More you sweat in
the practice lesser you bleed in the battleground.” This is applicable to even learning our
language skills. The best way to learn any language is to speak, speak and speak.
7. Enjoy the process. You can’t reach your destination if you don’t enjoy the journey. You must
have passion, dedication, enthusiasm, and focus on the goal. The best way to achieve any goal
is first to know the process. And second is follow the process. If you don’t know the process and
then you can’t follow the process. Even you know the process, but don’t follow it till you can’t
achieve your desired outcome. Now you are aware of the seven secrets to develop your English
speaking skills. Follow the process and enjoy the process. If you don’t enjoy the process, you
don’t follow it or you quit it early. It shouldn’t be a struggle. When you enjoy learning something
it’s not boring. It’s not a burden. When you know the outcome and fruits of the efforts you give
your best and enjoy the process.

THE SOUNDS OF ENGLISH

Pronunciation
Poor English pronunciation may confuse people even if you use advanced English
grammar.
We can use simple words and simple grammar structures that make people understand
you but we cannot use "simple pronunciation".
Good English pronunciation will make people understand you easily and be willing to
listen to you! English teachers usually are the only source of L2 input for their students.
What is good English pronunciation?
There are three levels of English pronunciation:
Level 1: People often don't understand what you want to say. You use the wrong sounds in
English words.
Level 2: People understand what you want to say, but it is unpleasant to listen to you.
Level 3: People understand you, and your English is pleasant to listen to.
So... what ARE the problems of learning L2 pronunciation?
Written vs. spoken language; letters vs. sounds. (Orthographic interference!)
Hearing what is said vs. listening to Howit's said. (We are very good at decoding meaning;
bad at listening!)
Learning new (complex) articulation patterns (new gestures are (mostly) easy; but NOT when
communicating
Changing established (complex) articulation patterns (New sounds that are near to L1
sounds are especially tricky)
Making new and changed patterns automatic (if you want to communicate, you can’t think of
what your tongue and lips are doing ....)
To sum all up
•Pronunciation is a difficult thing to get into, because -you have to make conscious
something that you use sub-consciously,-something you learned to use sub-consciously many
years ago.
•Pronunciation is difficult to change because
-ANY established motor pattern is difficult to change (have you tried to change how you walk?)
•Pronunciation is difficult to learn, because
-it has to be overlearned “so that the new patterns can be used in communication just as the old
ones are.
Minimal Pair
*Minimal pairs are pairs of words or phrases which differ in only one phonological element, such
as a phone or a phoneme, and have a distinct meaning.
E.g. bit > pit, tip > dip, fan > van
*They are used to demonstrate that two phones constitute two separate phonemes in the
language.
Orthography and Sounds
Alphabetic spelling represents the pronunciation of words. However, the sounds of the words in
a language are unsystematically represented by orthography, i.e. spelling.
The English language is not phonetic. Words are not spelled as they are pronounced there is
no one to one correspondence between the letters and the sounds or phonemes.
*Did he believe that Caesar could see the people seize the seas.
*The silly amoeba stole the key to the machine.
Mark Twain offered a phonetic alphabet for English.
Fish > ghoti
The gh = f as in rough
The o = i as in women
The ti = sh as in nation

Vowels and Consonants

Phonetically, it is easy to give definitions:
 A vowel is any sound with no audible noise produced by constriction in the vocal tract.
 A consonant is a sound with audible noise produced by a constriction.
Articulatory Phonetics
 The production of any speech sound involves the movement of an air stream.
 Most speech sounds are produced by pushing the air out of the lungs through the mouth
(oral) and sometimes through the nose (nasal).
 Articulatory Phonetics deals with how the sounds are produced.
Three Dimensions of Articulation
Voicing
Place of Articulation
Manner of Articulation
Voiced and Voiceless Sounds
 The air stream from the lungs passes through an opening between the vocal cords, is
the glottis.
 If the vocal cords are apart and the airstream is not obstructed at the glottis, the sounds
produced this way are voiceless.
 If the vocal cords are together and the airstream forces its way through, the vocal cords
vibrate and the sounds produced this way are voiced.
If you put a finger in each ear and say “zzzzz” you can feel the vibrations.
If you put a finger in each ear and say “sssss” you will not feel any vibration. When you
whisper, you are actually making all the speech sounds voiceless.
Nasal and Oral Sounds
When the soft palate or velum is raised to block the passage of air stream through the nose
and forced through the mouth, sounds produced this way are called oral.
If you force the air out of the nose by closing your lips or blocking the oral passage, sounds
produced this way are called nasal.
Places of Articulation
 Labials (bilabials, labiodentals)
 Alveolars
 Velars
 Interdentals
 Palatals
 Glottals
Labials
When we produce [b], [p], or [m], we articulate them by bringing together both lips. These
speech sounds are called bilabials
When we produce [f] and [v], we articulate by touching the bottom lip to the upper teeth. These
speech sounds are called labiodentals.
Alveolars
When we produce these sounds we raise the tip of our tongue toward the hard palate and touch
the alveolar ridge. These speech sounds are called alveolars
When we produce [f] and [v], we articulate by touching the bottom lip to the upper teeth. These
speech sounds are called labiodentals.
Velars
When we produce these sounds we raise the back of our tongue toward the soft palate or the
velum. These speech sounds are called velars.
Interdentals
When we produce these sounds we insert the tip of our tongue between the upper and the
lower teeth. These speech sounds are called interdentals.
Palatals
When we produce these sounds we raise the front part of our tongue to a point on the hard
palate just behind the alveolar ridge. These speech sounds are called palatals.
Manners of Articulation
Obstruent’s
Stops
Fricatives
Affricates
Sonoran’s
Nasals
Liquids
Glides
Obstruents
 An obstruent is a consonant sound formed by obstructing the outward airflow, causing
increased air pressure in the vocal tract.
 Obstruents are those articulations in which there is a total closure or a stricture causing
friction.
 Obstruents are subdivided into stops, fricatives, and affricates.
Sonorants
 Sonorants are those articulations in which there is only a partial closure or an
unimpeded oral or nasal scape of air.
 English has the following sonorant consonantal phonemes: /l/, /m/, /n/, /ŋ/, /ɹ/,
/w/, /j/
Stops (plosives)
When the air stream enters the oral cavity it may be
stopped, obstructed, or flow freely.
When the air is completely stopped for a brief period
of time, these speech sounds are called stops.
Fricatives
When the air is not stopped completely but is obstructed from flowing freely, these speech
sounds are called fricatives.
Affricates
Some sounds are produced by a stop closure followed immediately a slow release of the
closure as in a fricative. These speech sounds are called affricates.
Nasals
A nasal consonant is produced with a lowered velum in the mouth, allowing air to escape freely
through the nose. The oral cavity still acts as a resonance chamber for the sound, but the air
does not escape through the mouth as it is blocked by the tongue.
Liquids
When there is some obstruction of the air stream but not enough to cause friction, these speech

sounds are called liquids.

Glides
When there is little or no obstruction of the air stream in the mouth, these speech sounds are
called glides or semi-vowels.
Vowels
Vowel sounds are classified in terms of:
 Tongue height
 Tongue backness
 Lip rounding
 Tenseness
Tongue Height
 Vowels are classified in terms of how much space there is between the tongue and the
roof of the mouth, which is determined by the height of the tongue.
 There are three primary height distinctions among vowels: high, low, and mid.
Tongue Backness
 Vowels are classified in terms of how far the raised body of the tongue is from the back
of the mouth, which is called the backness of the tongue.
 There are three primary height distinctions among vowels: front, back, and central.
Lip Rounding
 Another aspect of vowel classification is the presence or absence of lip rounding. Some
vowels, such as the vowels/u/and /o/ are formed with a high degree of lip rounding.
 Such vowels are called rounded vowels. Some vowels, such as /i/ and /3/, are formed
without such rounding, and are called unrounded vowels.

Tenseness
Another aspect of vowel classification is commonly characterized in terms
of the tenseness or laxness of the articulators.
Tense vs. Lax
 Some vowels, such as the vowels /i/ and /e/, are formed with a high degree of
tenseness. Such vowels are called tense vowels.
 Some vowels, such as /ı/ and /ɛ/, are formed without a high degree of tenseness,
and are called lax vowels.
IPA
International Phonetic Alphabet
International Phonetic Association
Minimal Pairs
In phonology, minimal pairs are pairs of words or phrases in a particular language,
which differ in only one phonological element, such as a phoneme and have a
distinct meaning. e.g.: /pit/ and /bit/

COMPONENTS AND PROCESS OF COMMUNICATION

WHAT IS COMMUNICATION? LOOK your phone reviewer

Giving an Impromptu Talk for the First Time

A situation really comes that you have to face what you dread most. There are plenty of things
that may terrify you. Giving a speech, for many, is on the top of the list. It is understandable why
it is a daunting and an intimidating task. Imagine yourself facing a multitude of faces, most
of which look unfamiliar. You going up to the stage, planting your feet squarely, and
holding your breath by pulling back your shoulders a little bit can create such a rolling hush of
forced silence in the audience. All of the sudden, all eyes lock on you. Everybody waits with
bated breath what you are going to say. Now it dawns on you that the pressure seems to weigh
you down. Your first few words are crucial. This is just one of the many impromptu talks you
have given already, and yet here you are. It is a talk that you are thrusted into or
is thrusted into you. Being familiar with doing impromptu is without benefits. In fact, the
benefits far outweigh the difficulties of being acquainted with it. But it is a beast that you
can only control by wrestling with its horns. Giving impromptu speech contributes in speaking,
enhancing poise and confidence, and providing opportunities to gauge the level of vocabulary. It
is a requirement to be able to engage in sustained high-level conversation and other types of
oral communication.

When you are expected to give an impromptu talk

you are expected to talk about yourself, family, education, skills, and relevant training. You have
finished to college. You are soon to join the profession of your choice. So, people expect it is
just natural you can speak off the cuff. Though you have prepared and rehearsed how to
answer certain questions, you are also ready to explain, expound, and substantiate certain
information you are bringing up, anticipating that some answers may turn into a long
discourse. It is here that you will realize that being able to give an impromptu talk is beneficial.
Below are some examples of impromptu talk at work:

Business Presentation – This can be a business proposal, product, or service presentation. It

is already a token that you are that familiar with your proposal, product, or service, that
given an opportunity to discuss it, you are perceived to be ready by others. Though
sometimes you are not informed about the need to do a presentation, it may be something
that you should expect because business people are usually calculating with regard to
venturing into an enterprise in which their money and resources have to be invested at some
risk of not generating more wealth. You must be prepared to inform and convince.
The presentation will not usually afford you the use of multimedia and technology that can
enhance your presentation. You may be at the mercy of the audience who will demand from you
where they want you to focus on. This may be understandable since a more comprehensive
presentation of the proposal, product, and service could have
been done already.
What will help your presentation? Remember that you are actually about to give an impromptu
talk. Read the more comprehensive presentation. Be really familiar with it. If somebody is
assigned to give that presentation, you have to listen to him, take notes, and ask questions to
him if necessary, especially on points which appear complicated to you. Research about them.
Analyse the content so that you are able to see clearly how details and aspects of your subject
constitute into a big picture.
Project Presentation – This may proceed out of a lengthy presentation of the project. It is
essential that you have been around since the formulation, research, and writing of the project.
This can be an electronic, computer, and mechanical software or hardware. As part of the group
which has developed the project, you might find yourself drawn into a speech context
where you have to explain, discuss, illustrate, and expound something. To handle an
impromptu talk in this context, try not to lose sight of why you have to talk about the
topic. Do not forget that impromptu talk is commonly brief and direct to the point. Try to be
acquainted with what information the listeners are actually looking for. Focus on it, but do
not be rigid. It is possible that some feedback may come in the middle of your Presentation that
requires you to adjust your talk. You have to be conversational, always connecting to your
audience.
Introduction of Speaker and Emceeing – You may be asked right from your seat to be in
charge of introducing the speaker. Well, do not worry. You could have been chosen because
you are a friend to him, a classmate, or have worked with him. You might have been given
some information you can use in doing the introduction.
Some word of reminder: Do not make it too long by reading or taking about every
accomplishment he has. Connect to the audience by letting them share your experience
in being a friend or close to the speaker. Punctuate a story you cherish with him with what
makes him qualified to talk about the topic assigned. Build on his credentials without blowing
away the audience that you might place too much pressure on him because of the
expectation that is created in him to do very well. Perhaps emphasize his passion and
dedication, qualities that qualify him to be an expert or knowledgeable of the topic. You may be
asked to emcee an event or a program. Care not to read and depend too much on the script.
With the limited time you have, try to know the background of the event. Parts and performance
are associated with the background and theme of the event. Speak in conversational
English. Most Filipinos are not familiar with idioms so try to tamper you uttering them.
Stir away also from sounding formal and wooden. Be yourself. An emcee is an entertainer. You
have to study how it can be done professionally. You have to know how to converse
spontaneously and enthusiastically with the performers and participants of the program.
Presiding in a Meeting – A meeting usually begins with discussing its general objective. It is
appropriate that a quick discussion of the context of the meeting. The discussion has to be
straight to the point, though conversationally and clearly stating the scenario that leads to the
meeting. You can start by recognizing the presence of the attendees. Try to make them feel
you personally know each of them. Build positivism in the meeting by highlighting the recent
agenda that were accomplished. Those that have not been completed will contextualize the
new set of agenda. Be specific on objectives, procedures, activities, budget, personnel involved,

and deadline.
Snap Talk Topics
You can choose a topic from those you are quite familiar in your course.
Below are some of the possible topics:

1. my biggest concern for the future is...

2. Real wealth is never measured in money or possessions.
3. Conservation is survival.
4. Real love is not the stuff of pop songs.
5. If I were an animal I'd be a...
6. Plants have feelings too.
7. Junk food's popularity relies on marketing.
8. To err is human. To forgive is divine. Discuss.
9. The world is a smaller place these days.
10. The more we communicate, the less we really say.
11. When I grow up...
12. To be grown up is a state of mind.
13. Goals are good for you.
14. the most important lesson of my life so far...
15. Intelligence is not enough.
16. If I ruled the world...
17. Color affects the way people feel.
18. Ill health begins in the mind.
19. Team sports build strong individuals.
20. Laughter is the best medicine.
21. Fools and their money are easily parted.
22. Discipline is not a dirty word.
23. Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.
24. Children learn what they live with.
25. Poverty is a state of mind.
26. What characteristics make an ideal hero and why?
27. What and who is an average person?
28. Being young is over-rated.
29. In what situation is lying a good idea?
30. Does money make the world go round?
31. What human quality do we need more of and why?
32. Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?
33. How we look is unimportant. It's who we are on the inside that
counts.
34. Fashion victims I have known.
35. Pets are for people who don't have children.
36. Summer is the best and worst of times. Why?
37. The media controls how and what we think.
38. Advertisement targeting children is immoral.
39. Talking to someone and talking with someone are two different
activities.
40. Real learning doesn't occur in a classroom.
41. What would you rather be - wise or intelligent?
42. True wisdom comes from experience.
43. A sense of humor is essential.
44. Uniforms stifle individuality.
45. What is normal is decided by the society we live in.
46. Manners matter.
47. Children should not watch television.
48. Art is essential to life.
49. Cities are for people not cars.
50. Peace is possible.
How to effectively give an impromptu talk
Impromptu talk is chiefly characterized by a brief period of preparation given to the speaker, if
there is even some given to the latter. After a quick scrutiny of a quotation, object, issue, or
anecdote, you have to get yourself in front of the audience to give it. A principle that governs an
impromptu delivery is clarity. If it is a quotation, it would help if you analyze the
relationship of concepts in it. For example, after saying, “Those who have not learned the lesson
of the past are bound to repeat its mistakes,” what do you do next? Collect your wits, and
analyse the concepts in the quotation. You have to be familiar with how a lesson can be learned
in the past and what situations can make people susceptible to repeating it. Outstanding and
worthy examples in history can be cited to convey the concepts and mistakes that people can
learn.
A simple but succinct definition of the important concepts in the
definition can be an opening for an impromptu talk. You can define what we
mean by the word “lesson,” “past,” and “mistakes.” You can bring up
illustrations and life experience to make the definition interesting and
narrative-focused.
There is no clear-cut suggestion on how to prepare for an impromptu talk. People who can
handle and have succeeded giving this type of talk are those who are fond of reading every
material they can get their hands on and can remember most of the information in it. So, you
have to cultivate the habit of reading. You should also try your best to develop a good memory
so that you can retain a large amount of information from what you have read.
To talk about a topic the first time takes more than having adequate information of it. You
must have the mental and conceptual mapping of what you know about it. This principally
involves organizing your thoughts. It makes the impromptu delivery more at ease and not
painfully dragging. You can expand a concept by using an illustration, analogy,
experience, story, facts, and statistics. The mapping aids in organizing the delivery into a
functional framework in which some main point is developed.
In delivering an impromptu talk, you can still adapt mentally the
framework below:

Introduction
Specific Purpose Statement
Tease your Point
Body
Main Point 1
Supporting Idea 1
Supporting Idea 2
Supporting Idea 3
Main Point 2
Supporting Idea 1
Supporting Idea 2
Supporting Idea 3
Conclusion
Restating of main points and what have been learned.
Tips on How to Give an Impromptu Talk
impromptu speaking is laden with pressure because you have to talk about a subject with
minimal or even without preparation in front of individuals who for some reason make you feel
not that comfortable. You have to depend on your stock knowledge and experience. Below are
added tips on how to think on your feet while engaging in an impromptu talk:
 It is about your listeners. When you are requested to talk about a topic with you no inkling
about it, it helps if think about the people in front of you. You can ask yourself: Who are
they? What have they done? Why are they there?
“I have always been comfortable being in front of people who
love painting. Particularly paintings that tell the story of the
marginalized, those whose voice is suppressed and almost
forgotten. . .”

 It is because of the occasion. You have to zone in the speaking

event. “Today marks the day of my third year with the company. It is
also the day the company celebrates its third time of breaching
its sales target. . .”
 It can be told by examples. Try to illustrate by examples.
“Marketing has adapted and absorbed strategies from various disciplines. The mobile and
unconventional approach it owes from military warfare. The theatrical it adapts from
entertainment....”
 It can build from other remarks. You can work on another
speaker’s statement. “Margot Corvette, famous for running a number of hotels and
restaurants, said the service industry would never run out of
business. Saying she is right and what she has said is even an
understatement of sort. . .”
 It cannot linger too long. You know when it is time to give up the floor. You do not have to
drain yourself of ideas about the topic. You should know when to walk away. Your time is up
when the audiences are still eager to listen to you but it has just dawned on you that you are
there to give a snap talk only.

 It is no time to be sorry. You should expect that the audiences are aware you have been
asked to speak in short notice. They will allow you some room in which you can wiggle out
some idea to make yourself understood. There is no need to tell your arms are being twisted
to give an impromptu talk, and you are apologetic for things that will come out of you which
may not be accurate.

Four Positive Results of Active Workplace Communication:

1. Active communication resolves conflict. You know that there is a conflict
affecting workflow when the management calls for communication training.
Conflict is attributed to the following:
a. Misunderstanding. It cankers the good relations among the employees, resulting in the of
being intentionally offended. Sometimes you may think that you are saying your idea
accurately, but the way your co-employees communicate with you about it can trigger
misunderstanding. Determining their communication patterns and strategies to be able to adjust
to them can come a long way. You have to convey the information clearly and is easily
understood. Encourage your co-employees to ask and give you feed back.
b. Imposition. This happens when you impose your communication habits and patterns upon
that of others, not understanding and ignoring how others communicate. Encourage respect
and diversity even in communication habits.
c. Indifference. You ignore the emotional needs of the people at your place of work when you
communicate with them. This ruffles feathers and drives in resentment. Good communication
increases employee engagement
2. Communicating can connect people of various career trajectory.
Employees focus on their job role while they earnestly support the company goals. These
connection and focus create shared emotional, social, personal, and professional contexts.
How can you make these contexts
productive in long term basis? Communication creates effective working
environment in the following ways:
• Provide you resources to be aware of the needs and goals of employees.
• Open access to the motivations, intentions, and goals of your co employees.
• Give a more critical assessment of the other employees’ talents and skills that remain
untapped.
• Promote talents and skills in a way that realize company goals.
• Result in healthy relationship with managers and leaders.
3. Active communication makes serviced people satisfied and happy
because it brings the following:
• Management of conflict.
• Meeting and fulfilling needs.
• Providing feedback.
4. Active communication builds efficient and effective workforce resulting in
innovative thinking. A workplace that has an active communication
environment is conducive to creative and critical minds You are more
comfortable in facing challenges and managing a project.

A Conflict Management .pptx

(GO TO YOUR PHONE REVIEWER)