Explaining Verbal Misunderstandings - Essay Example

Chapter 5: Where Can We Look to Explain Verbal Misunderstandings? A Reaction Paper The proffered a comprehensive discussion of verbal communication, specifically delving into issues concerning its use in context, structure, and content, among others. I liked the contents and information presented in the chapter because of the relevance of the issues discussed and the applicability and importance of being aware of the theoretical framework to ensure a better understanding of communication across borders.

I am now more aware that precautions should be observed when communicating with others, especially those people from diverse cultural orientations or those who do not belong to the same generation to prevent misunderstanding. The authors’ style of using diverse real-life scenarios to explain points of contention provided clear illustrations and support to the arguments. Examples in the form of stories, incidents, and funny communication scenarios reinforce the meanings of the lessons that the author aimed to impart.

The value of the information in the chapter is measured in terms of its applicability to one’s personal life. As I live in a Western culture where people are more open, frank, and honest in terms of verbal communication, I have accepted and adopted the practice of being direct but likewise vigilant in using frames and idioms depending on the situation and the person I am talking to. Likewise, not because I live in the United States, does it necessarily mean that I have to impose the American culture and way of life on other people from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds.

The article assisted in guiding me towards using proper decorum and being more vigilant in exerting appropriate efforts in learning and being aware of critical acceptable and unacceptable behavior in terms of communication patterns and expressions. For instance, conducting interviews with people from Asian countries, I need to exercise patience. And in this situation quality of the message relayed must be observed, I should be more careful in shouting out what I irresponsibly think as commonly used idioms, but could hurt or affect people from other countries.

Honestly, there might be some tendencies to generalize forms of communication or informal rules of a certain culture. I believe that at times, some form of uniqueness and individuality, also apply depending on where the person was raised, grew up, and has adapted and assimilated the cultural norms of the place. Examples regarding the experience of the Albanian student getting annoyed with saying ‘thank you’ or ‘please’ could very well be a unique scenario and could not be representative of the national culture.

Therefore, if I encounter someone from a different culture who acted or behaved that way, I could exercise more understanding and empathy towards the person and not make generalizations or stereotype the incident as the accepted norm for all residents of a particular country. It gives me the opportunity to discern the correct communication tools to use in the proper context and perspective. I thought that in discussing verbal communication, some reference, at least, could be inferred on the relevance of nonverbal communication in increasing or assisting in understanding the messages that are relayed.

Although there was a discussion on face considerations, it was indeed challenging to decipher the intent and comparative application of face considerations in verbal communication, without referring to the need to include facial expressions, a form of nonverbal communication, as an assisting mode for understanding messages relayed.