WEEK 9 (DAY 1&2)

Communicative Competence Strategies in Various Speech Situations

Types of Speech Context

SPEECH CONTEXT
Context refers to the stimuli, environment or ambience surrounding an event. Considering the context of
communication improves its effectiveness. Context takes into consideration the age, region, sex and intellectual
abilities of the recipient.

Intrapersonal Communication
Intrapersonal communication process happens within a person, which includes the way he thinks, and his
way of communicating with himself. It depends on the communicator's (1) frame of reference, (2)
creativity, (3) imagination. (4) risk-taking behavior, and (5) cognitive patterns. Intrapersonal
communication may involve different levels of communication activity: internal discourse, solo vocal
communication, and solo written communication.

 Internal discourse – involves thinking, concentration and analysis. Psychologists include

both daydreaming and nocturnal dreaming in this category. Prayer, contemplation and
meditation also are part of this category, though from a theological point of view the
argument may be made that this is not solely internal to one person. In Sufi tradition, this is
similar to the concept of nafs, negotiating with the inner self.
Example: Consciously appreciating the beauty of a sunset.

 Solo vocal communication – includes speaking aloud to oneself This may be done to clarify
thinking, to rehearse a message intended for others, or simply to let off steam.
Example: Talking to yourself as you complain about your boss.

 Solo written communication – deals with writing not intended for others.
Example: An entry in a diary or personal journal.

Interpersonal Communication
Interpersonal communication is the universal form of communication that takes place between two
individuals (dyad) or a relatively small number of people (small group). Man-to-man communication is the
most vital of all the levels of communication. It includes everyday exchange that may be formal or informal
and can take place anywhere by means of words, sounds, facial expression, gestures and postures. This is
an ideal and effective communication situation because it provides immediate feedback, clarification, and
emphasis through expressions, gestures, and voices. Interpersonal communication has both rational and
emotional appeals. It can motivate, encourage, and coordinate work more effectively than any other form of
communication.

Through interpersonal communication we are nurtured as infants, physically, emotionally and

intellectually. Again through interpersonal communication we develop cultural, social and psychological
links with the world. In fact, interpersonal communication is the very basis of our survival and growth as it
helps us to function more practically.

Interpersonal communication is a process through which people express, interpret, and coordinate messages
in order to create shared meaning, meet social goals, manage personal identity, and carry out their
relationships. It uses words, sentences and nonverbal behaviors to convey thoughts, feelings and intentions.
We engage ourselves to interpersonal communication to learn, to relate, to influence, to help and to play.

Through interpersonal communication we:

 better understand the world of objects, events
 relate to others and form meaningful relationships
 influence the attitudes and behaviors of others
  offer guidance through interpersonal interaction
 play to give ourselves necessary balance and our mind a needed break from all the seriousness
around us

Types of Interpersonal Communication

1. Direct Interpersonal Communication – it involves a direct face-to-face relationship between the
sender and receiver of a message, who are in an interdependent relationship. It can be categorized by
the number of participants.

 Dyadic communication is the most basic form of interpersonal communication (an encounter
or conversation between two people). Some dyads exist over a long period of time, as in a
marriage or partnership. Communicating well in a dyad requires good conversational skills.
Communicators must know how to start and end the conversation, how to make themselves
understood, how to respond to the partner's statements, how to be sensitive to their partner's
concerns, how to take turns, and how to listen. Together, these abilities are called
communication competence. Shyness or reluctance to interact is called communication
apprehension. Persuasion is the process of convincing others that one's ideas or views are
valuable or important.

 Group communication involves three or more persons such as families, clubs, religious
groups, friendship groups, or work groups. Most small-group interaction involves fewer than
ten people, and the communicators need the same communication skills as in a dyadic
conversation. However, additional factors called group dynamics come into play in a small
group. A group may try to work toward a consensus, a general sense of understanding or
agreement with others in the group. Group think may occur, in which a group reaches
consensus so quickly that its members mistakenly ignore other good ideas. Small-group
members may experience disagreement or even conflict. Some members may be more
persuasive than others and form sides, or cliques, within the group.

 Public communication involves a large group such as when a speaker gives a talk to a large
crowd (a political candidate giving a speech at a campaign rally, or a teacher lecturing to a
large class) However, the audience can respond in only limited ways (such as with applause,
nodding, whistles, boos, or silence). The speaker usually wants to be persuasive or
informative, so the words chosen and the style of delivery or performance are very important.

Public communication happens when the communicator transmits messages to a larger group
of people, as in presenting a report in class, delivering a welcome address, or speaking during
a conference, symposium and seminar.

 Mass communication is a communication level where the use of electronic and print media
are involved. It provides fast and accessible information to a great number of people in a great
different distance, Radio, television, internet, newspapers are examples of mass
communication.

Another way of categorizing interpersonal communication is on the function or setting of the

communication.

 Organizational communication deals with communication within large organizations such as

businesses. This is sometimes considered part of group communication, but communication
scholars have built up a body of knowledge focused primarily on organizations.
Example: Work focused discussion between employer and employee.

 Family communication focuses on communication patterns within nuclear, extended and

blended families.
 2. Mediated Interpersonal Communication – involves technology that assists or links the sender and
receiver of messages. This may involve immediacy (live or so-called real time). It does not involve a
primary context but instead uses technology to link the various parties in communication.

Mediated communication offers the advantage that it allows people to communicate over a distance or
throughout a time span that would not be possible in direct communication. E-mail offers
instantaneous global communication, and cell phones are highly mobile. Computer technology makes
it possible for people to do their job without being physically present, allowing them to work from
their home or from across the world.

 Dyadic communication includes two people, with some of the elements of interpersonal, but
the context is not face-to-face.
Example: Two business colleagues using the telephone or e-mail.

 Group communication includes a small group of people.

Example: Teleconference in a distance learning class.

For further readings/activities, visit the suggested online reference:

Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Communication http://faculty. buffalostate.edu/smithrd/uae%communication/unit4.pdf.