Lesson 1: Communication Principles retained in the process.
In order to be
and Ethics an effective communicator, a number of
skills have to be utilized. Which skill one
Processes and Principles of Effective chooses greatly varies and is dictated
Communication by the situation, the content or the
actual information a person needs or
Effective communication- is a key wants to convey, and the intended
interpersonal skill and by learning how recipient of that information.
you can improve your communication
has many benefits. It sounds so simple: Audience Analysis - A key element in
say what you mean. But all too often, effective communication.
what you try to communicate gets lost in
translation despite your best intentions. Audience- here does not only refer to
You say one thing, the other person the people listening to you in a public
hears something else, and speech. Rather, it refers to anyone who
misunderstandings, frustration, and is expected to receive the message you
conflicts ensue. This is very true are sending. Knowing the audience,
especially in the absence of physical, understanding their level and how they
face-to-face communication. need to receive the information – also
known as
Communication- is beyond simply
putting words into thoughts and Skills on audience analysis– are
emotions. It is done effectively only extremely important in packagingthe
when information is transmitted without message and sending it across.
changing both the content and the Audience analysis is therefore one skill
context of the message. Simply put, an effective communicator must have. It
communication is the art of creating is imperative that you find out who the
and sharing ideas for a specific
purpose. Audience – is who will actually receive
your message– and what they need to
It comes in many forms: know. Only in doing so can you properly
adjust all the other elements of
• Verbal communication- which communication, such as your words or
includes the use of language, registers, your tone, and your
sounds, and tone of voice expressions.
• Non-verbal communication-
which includes body language Communication barriers- another
and facial expressions aspect that needs consideration in
• Written communication- such analyzing the audience is identifying and
as through journals, emails, blogs, trying to overcome possible
and text messages
• Visual communication- which These are not confined to physical noise
involves signs, symbols, pictures, (cars passing by, someone pounding on
graphics, and emojis the table) and physiological issues (an
upset stomach), but could also include
Effective communication- is cultural difference, varying levels of
dependent on how richthose ideas are, expectations and experiences, and
and how much of those ideas are difference in perspectives and
communication styles.
Principles of Effective an organized presentation of
Communication ideas.
• Empathy-the sender of the
Effective communication- requires a message should be sensitive to
certain level of connection between and the needs and interests of the
among people, allowing a series of receiver. In case of face-to-face
exchanges of thoughts and emotions, communication, the speaker must
eventually leading to mutual always be conscious of the
understanding. reaction of the listener and adjust
his/her communication
In order for that to happen, the following strategy accordingly.
principles must be observed: • Flexibility-different people have
different communication styles,
• Clarity- this pertains to both the and consequently, different
message and the purpose why expectations. Effective
the message has to be sent. The communicators know how to
message should be clear by adapt to the varying needs and
using appropriate language and expectations of their audience,
communication channels, but and modify the message or the
equally important is that the way the message is sent to avoid
reason for sending and receiving misunderstanding or
the message must be understood misinterpretation.
by both sender and receiver.
• Conciseness- the message COMMUNICATION AND
should be as brief as may be GLOBALIZATION
required depending on ones
purpose, especially in most The notion of the world being a global
modern contexts in the business village has been a hot topic ever since
and academic fields where time the idea was brought up, especially in
is of the essence. It should be light of the rapid advances in technology
devoid of trivial details that would and digitization.
hinder communication.
• Completeness- despite its Globalization- has been regarded as
conciseness, the message the key to the worldwide integration of
should still be complete and humanity,where there is an increased
accurate. Whenever necessary, economic, political and cultural
background information should integration and interdependence of
be given to provide better context; diverse cultures. In Southeast Asia, for
facts and observations may also example, the ASEAN Integration has
be helpful.. been a buzzword among social
• Organization- effective communities, opening a wide array of
communication is usually planned discussion for future collaborations.
in order to ensure the systematic
flow of ideas and transition from For our part, we Filipinos have
one point to another. There are increased our awareness and
instances, however, when acceptance of the notion that we belong
communication is impromptu, but to a diverse, global [Link] is
this should not be an excuse for not confined to communication with
people from other countries, but is from Zamboanga have different norms
inclusive of communication within our and beliefs from the Ilocanos.
own societies, even with the minorities
and the indigenous peoples. It is This is especially true in business
therefore imperative that WE learn to organizations, when products can go
communicate effectively with people global and the manner by which any
regardless of age, gender, race, ability, product is communicated to the global
religion, sexual orientation, income, market can make or break the brand.
marital status, or ethnicity.
Globalization - has affected the way
Communication in the modern world - people and companies communicate
must be anchored on the concept of with each other. In some cases, cultural
diversity, since effective differences have accentuated cultural
communication and the ability to insensitivity,which is most felt in the
understand cultural differences are skills business world. Since everyone is a
that have become requisites not only for consumer of particular business
a meaningful social life but also for a products, it is important to know the
successful professional career. issues, etiquette, protocol,
communication styles and negotiation
Even professionals from the countries approaches of people from different
that are traditionally known for sticking cultures using the business experience
to their native tongue (e.g. Japan, Korea, as example.
Vietnam) have started to learn English,
as the internationally-recognized lingua Cost of cultural insensitivity in global
franca, with the concept that learning communication! can be felt in
English does not make them less everyday communication, as cultural
Japanese, Koreans, or Viets misunderstandings often lead to
. misinterpretation and unnecessary
Digital technology - has erased tension between people.
territorial boundaries among countries
and among people with varying cultures. In order to develop more meaningful
The notion of being a strangerhas been relationships and establish productive
revolutionized as the people whom we interaction with people having different
used to treat as strangers are now our cultures, everyone should recognize
co-workers, classmates or friends – and respond to such differences and
albeit some only in social media. nuances.
Hence, there is a need to develop In addition, people have to be mindful
graduates and professionals who are that not everyone from the same
multiculturalists –those who are culture exhibits the same
engaged with and respectful of people characteristics and habits in
with different cultures. These are not communication.
necessarily people from other countries
all the time, since a country may have Sensitivity - is key to any successful
varying sub-cultures among its general communicative situation.
society. In the Philippines, for example,
there is no argument that people from In communicating in a highly global
Southern Tagalog have a different environment, the challenge that faces
culture from the Bicolanos, and those everyone is to learn to understand,
accept, and address cultural – and relatively high. However, when they
communication – differences. were turned down or given negative
feedback, this will definitely influence
ETHICS IN COMMUNICATION how they deliver the message next time.
Effective communication- is ethical Prejudice-
communication. • when people take their past
experiences and make certain
Communication is ethical only assumptions that the same
-when it is genuine, open, experience will happen with the
cooperative and sensitive to ones same people, given the same
cultural and social beliefs and context.
practices. • It may be attributed to culture or
Unethical- personal preferences. Not all
• If there is an intent to conceal the prejudices have a negative
truth, or bring damage to any characteristic, as a person might
organization, group or individual consider all members of a group
person, communication is to be smart even without meeting
considered unethical. them individually. It must be
• Situations when there is no intent noted, however, that effective
to harm, but damage to a certain communicators should avoid
group is inevitable because of the prejudice because it influences
message or the channel used to the communication process even
relay the message. before it begins.
• Happen when people isolate an
How Past Experience and Prejudice experience with one type of
Affect Communication person or one group of people,
then behave as if all encounters
Most people bring their past with people of the same type, or
experiences into a communication at least with the same
situation. Sometimes, they pitch in characteristics, will lead to the
existing information because they same experience. This eliminates
learned in the past that adding a peoples personal identity and
information makes the communication individuality. There can be
more successful. There are times when prejudice as regards to age,
they do not contribute anything because gender orientation, religious
of a possible past experience when their belief, race, social-economic
inputs were not considered or valued. In status, and physical conditions.
any case, people enter into a Effective communicators view
communicative situation with certain people as separate from any
expectations, and they behave or react preconceived notions others may
accordingly. have about them. They see the
value of the individual as a
Past experiences- inevitably affect person of worth, and thus will
peoples communication styles in the respect that individuality.
future. When their audience responded
positively to their message, chances of Showing commitment and genuine
them repeating the same style are interest
Respecting socio-cultural beliefs and
Showing commitment in practices of others
thecommunicative situation - a key
component of ethical communication. Concept of globalization- is not new,
but people somehow fail to realize that
Committed- means giving sufficient this is not confined to technology or
time and resources to any discussion or bridging the world and making it a virtual
conversation, and being open about any community.
issue that may arise. Commitment also
involves volunteering important Globalization- entails changing the way
information, even if it puts a persons people communicate to others,
own short-term interests at risk, as long especially those with different norms,
as it is for the benefit of the majority cultures and belief systems. This
especially in the long run. Encouraging involves all types of communication,
a communicative environment of trust whether face-to-face, chatting via email,
can go a long way in promoting ethical or using various forms of mass media,
communication in any academic or such as the two ads shown on pages 16
business setting. and 17.
Naval Languageor The Belly Button Ethical communication- requires
Psyche people to respect socio-cultural beliefs
and practices of others, while at the
It is clear that the two major elements same time avoiding all kinds of
affecting ethical communication are stereotypes.
• the use of words or language,
• ones behavior or body language.
Body Language- may be enhanced
through the Belly Button Psyche, or the
belly button rule
Belly Button Psyche- which is believed
to communicate true interest while
engaging in face-to-face communication.
The origin of this ruledates back to the
1930s and since then, numerous
scientists and body language experts
have honed the theory
.
Dr. Albert Mehrabian- professor of
Psychology at UCLA said that the belly
button rule is the most important
indicator of reading a persons intention.
Simply put, the belly button rule means
the direction of a persons navel reflects
his/her true interest.
Lesson 2: Local and Global Expressive level -usually show their
Communication in Multicultural real feelings and emotions through facial
Settings expressions, tone of voice, or language
use.
COMMUNICATION STYLES IN
VARIOUS MULTICULTURAL Less expressive ones- tend to either
CONTEXTS hide their feelings or exert some effort
for these feelings not to show.
As mentioned in Lesson 1, each person
has a unique style of communicating, The combination of these levels
which may depend not only on his/her result to the basic communication
linguistic ability but also on his/her styles:
cultural and social context. Some are
outspoken; some are more quiet yet on • Spirited= High Expressiveness +
point. Some always seem formal, while High Assertiveness
some have a lot of introduction before • Considerate= High
getting to the main point. Expressiveness + Low
Assertiveness
Communication style -refers to the • Direct= Low Expressiveness +
choices people make and the strategies High Assertiveness
or tools they use in the process of • Systematic= Low
communication. A style may sometimes Expressiveness + Low
depend on the demands of the Assertiveness
communicative situation, as well as on
the needs and requirements of the Tips for People with a Spirited
target recipients of the information. Communication Style :
Dr. Eileen M. Russo- developed model 1. Respect decisions and agenda
by shows four different communication that have been agreed upon, as
styles (direct, spirited, systematic and well as time limits during
considerate),categorized further into meetings or any communicative
two different dimensions (level of situation.
assertiveness and level of 2. Try to limit your sharing of
expressiveness). All of these must be personal anecdotes that may
considered because people with take the discussion off-topic.
different cultural contexts tend to have 3. Make sure you are allowing
varying levels and styles of others to contribute their ideas
communication. and suggestions – and that you
are genuinely listening to them.
Assertive communication- people who 4. Be certain that any request you
are categorized within this level tend to make is clear and that you
tell or instruct others what to do and convey the reason for such
sometimes even how to do it. request.
5. Communicate your appreciation
Less assertive styles- usually tend to for otherswork and input.
be on the receiving end, often asking for
guidance, instructions or directions. Tips for People with a Considerate
Communication Style
4. Politely ask other questions about
1. Recognize that other peoples themselves if you want to build
opinions about a topic are rapport.
separate from their opinions 5. If you need to ask for more time
about you. to know, analyze or discuss
2. Realize that not everyone is something, explain the benefit of
comfortable discussing personal the information you need to know.
topics with colleagues.
3. Allow others to open personal VARIETIES AND REGISTERS OF
matters before asking questions SPOKEN AND WRITTEN LANGUAGE
of that nature.
4. Respect your own opinion as you In a multicultural society, people must
respect that of others. use culturally-appropriate terms,
5. Recognize that you dont have to gestures, expressions and images in
be friends with everyone, but you any communicative situation.
should treat others – and be Language Varieties - also called lects,
treated – professionally. these refer to the different variants of a
language that can be sufficiently
Tips for People with a Direct delimited from one another in terms of
Communication Style social, historical, or geo-spatial factors,
thus forming language clusters.
1. Make an effort to listen carefully
to others. Avoid interrupting. In addition, language varieties may also
2. Allow time for chattingat the be grouped in the following
beginning of a meeting. classifications:
3. Recognize that others may also
feel the need to express a) Pidgin- it refers to a new
themselves. language that develops into
4. Recognize that brainstorming can situations where speakers of
be effective and is not a waste of different languages need to
time. communicate but do not share a
5. Take some time to show your common language.
appreciation for
otherscontributions. Examples are Chavacano in the
Philippines and Bislama, a
Tips for People with a Systematic language spoken in Vanuatu.
Communication Style
b) Creole- it is a pidgin that
1. Recognize that for good working becomes the first language of the
relationships, consideration for children, or the mother tongue of
othersfeelings is important. a certain community.
2. Learn to ask qualifying questions
that will help you get the Examples are the Gullah and the
information you need. Patwa, is a creole in Jamaica.
3. Make sure you understand the
background of the discussion or c) Regional Dialect -it is not a
scope of the conversation so no language that is not distinct from
time is wasted. a national language, but rather a
variety of a language spoken in a to specific rules. Slang is never used
particular area of a country. and contractions are rare.
Examples are as Cebuano, Examples are registers used in research
Waray, Ilocano, and Hiligaynon in paper, government documents,
the Philippines. business letters, and in business
presentations.
d) Minority Dialecs this is a variety
used as a marker of identity, b. Casual- these registers are used
usually alongside a standard when communicating with friends, close
variety, by the members of a acquaintances, colleagues, and family
particular minority ethnic group. members. These are used in birthday
parties or family gatherings.
Examples are the Sinama of the
Badjaos in the Philippines and c. Intimate - intimate language registers
the London-Jamaican variety in are reserved for special occasions,
Britain. usually between only two people and
often in private.
e) Indigenized Varieties- these are
spoken mainly as second
languages in former colonies with Examples are an inside joke between
multilingual populations. A classic two high school friends or sweet
example is Singlish (or nothings. whispered to your special
Singaporean English) someone.
f)
Language Registers d. Frozen- it refers to historic language
that is intended to remain unchanged.
Language register- is characterized by
the way a speaker uses language Examples are the registers used in the
differently in different social Philippine Constitution and the Holy
circumstances. These are determined Bible.
by such factors as social atmosphere,
purpose of communication, audience, e. Consultative- it is used in
and the general context of the discourse. conversations when people are
speaking with someone who has
Generally, language registers can be specialized knowledge or is offering
classified as advice. Tone is often respectful, such as
• formal, the use of honorifics or courtesy titles,
• casual, but may be more casual if the
• intimate, relationship between or among the
• frozen, and communicators is friendly.
• consultative.
Examples are registers used in local
a. Formal- these registers are used in television broadcast or in a conversation
professional, academic, or legal settings with a doctor during medical
where communication is expected to be examination.
respectful, uninterrupted, and restrained
Language registers- can also be
classified as Formal, Informal, or Neutral.
The following specific guidelines can
• Formal language registers are enhance your ability to handle
appropriate for professional situations involving intercultural
situations, such as when communication, and better prepare
speaking to a supervisor or yourself to meet the communication
writing an invitation letter. challenges in an increasingly global
• Informal language registers,on environment
the other hand, are
conversational and appropriate • Refrain-from forming
when speaking or writing to a expectations based solely on
friend or to someone you know your culture. Knowing and
quite well. accepting the validity of cultural
• Neutral language registers- are differences are key in
non-emotional and laden with communicating with people
facts. These are most appropriate having diverse communication
for research or technical writin styles. Being an effective
communicator requires allowing
The use of one or a combination of yourself to be immersed in the
these registers highly depends on the multicultural society and
audience (person/s for whom the embracing diversity.
message is intended) and the context • Remove personal biases- or
(nature of the communicative any stereotype that may impede
situation).Using the proper understanding. You do not want
registersshow respect, interest, and a to be at the receiving end of a
certain level of professionalism, hence biased judgment, right? You dont
enhancing harmonious personal and want people avoiding you just
professional relationships. These are because of how they see other
also used in writing short notes, members of your group or culture.
personal journals, or diaries. Determine how much your family,
friends and colleagues have
Improving ones Ability in dictatedhow you view or feel
Communicating in a Multicultural about other people or other
Setting groups, and identify which among
these pre-judgments are
Everything should start with a personal stereotypes that can damage
desire and strong convictionto relate relationships.
more effectively with persons having • Make a personal commitment
different cultural backgrounds. This will to develop communication
not only create positive personal skills appropriate in
relationships, but also open more multicultural settings - Your
opportunities for professional growth. ability to develop intercultural
communication skills largely
Limiting ones reliance on depends on how many – and how
preconceived notions and much – of these promises you
established stereotypes- is also a are willing to make:
major leap towards effective intercultural
communication. 1. I will make a commitment to seek
information from persons whose
cultures are different from my
own.
2. I will try to understand how the
experiences of persons from
different cultures leads them to
develop perspectives that differ
from mine.
3. I will pay attention to the situation
and the context when I
communicate with persons from
different cultures.
4. I will make every effort to become
a more flexible communicator.
5. I will not insist that persons from
other cultures should
communicate with me on my
terms
Lesson 3: Evaluating Messages and One major issue that has been raised
Images of Different Text Types with respect to these established
varieties is that they are often not fully
EVALUATING MESSAGES AND/OR intelligible to users of other varieties of
IMAGES OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF English. For example, a Filipino ordering
TEXTS REFLECTING DIFFERENT food in a restaurant in Singapore for the
CULTURES first time would be confused when he is
asked, Having here, or take
As discussed in Lesson 1, the away?because in the Philippines, they
advancements in digital technology are more accustomed to Dine in, or take
paved the way to innovative modes and out?
platforms of communication. The
massive and rapid developments in Kirkpatrick (2007)- proposes a scale
digital communications ushered in a with two extremes that characterize this
new era of communication that does not problem:
simply rely on words, but also on
images and other semiotics of the Extreme 1:The goal of national or
channel used to convey the message. regional identity. People use a
regional variety of English with its
The effects of cultural and global issues specific grammar, structure and
to communication were highlighted in vocabulary to affirm their own
previous discussions, as well as the national or ethnic identity (e.g. Only
impact of effective communication to Filipinos use the terms senatoriable,
society and the world. This has congressman, chancing, and
highlighted the importance of exploring bedspacer, among others, and use
the concept of World Englishes these when communicating with
other Filipinos).
World Englishes- defined by Celce-
Murcia (2014), the regionally distinct Extreme 2: The goal of intelligibility.
varieties of English that have arisen in Users of a regional variety should
parts of the world where there is a long ideally still be readily understood by
and often colonial history of English users of English everywhere else in
being used in education, commerce and the world to fully participate in the
government. use of English as an international
language (e.g. Users of Filipino
There is no debate that the English English have to understand that
language has become the most widely they have to use bininstead of trash
used language for most purposes of canor liftinstead of elevatorwhen in
communication in international a country using British English).
diplomacy, business, science, education
and entertainment. Over time, this The challenge is to find a goodbalance
widespread use of English – spoken between the identity-intelligibility
side by side with local languages – has extremes. Hence, speakers of the
given rise to local varieties of English English language may resort to code-
with their own standards. Examples of switching(i.e., using English and
World Englishes are Indian English, another language in the same
West African English, Singapore English, statement).
and Filipino English.
For example, Filipinos may use a A multimodal text can either be one
strongly local version of Filipino English of the following:
to communicate with fellow Filipinos
using English as medium, but they • Paper(books, comics, posters,
should use a weaker and more formal brochures)
version when communicating with users • Digital(slide presentations, blogs,
of other varieties of English, especially web pages, social media,
when international intelligibility is animation, film, video games
necessary. • Live(performance or an event)
• Transmedia(A story is told using
The Power of Words and Image multiple delivery channels
through a combination of
Before effectively engaging in platforms, such as comics, film,
multicultural communication, people and video games all working as
have to be ready and knowledgeable for part of the same story with the
situations such as the one demonstrated same message.)
in the illustration. If anything unplanned
or unanticipated comes up, there must The creation of multimodal texts and
be alternative ways of communicating outputs requires a creative design
the same message without being concept that orchestrates the purposive
offensive. combination of text, color, photo, sound,
spatial design, language, gestures,
Multimodal presentation - sends a animations and other semiotics, all with
relatively vivid and powerful message the unitary goal of bringing meaning to
not just through the use of a careful life.
juxtaposition of text and illustration, but
also because of the other semiotics or Purposive use of semiotics- to
elements such as color combinations. forward a specific message. These are
successful in meaning making through
Multimodality-is a fairly new concept in the interplay of various elements.
the general academic setting, but can
be a very powerful tool in light of digital In creating a multimodal text, the
and multicultural communication. A text Purpose, Audience, Context must all
or output is considered multimodal if it be considered.
uses two or more communication
modes to make [Link] shows • As to purpose, the creator of the
different ways of knowledge text must be clear on the
representations and meaning-making, message and the reason(s) why
and investigates contributions of the message has to be delivered.
semiotic resources (language, • As to audience, the nature,
gestures, images) that are co- interests and sensitivities of the
deployed across various modalities target audience must be
(visual, aural, somatic, etc.).Most considered so the text will not be
importantly, multimodality highlights the offensive and hurt peoples
significance of interaction and sensibilities.
integration in constructing a coherent • As to context, the message
text. should be clearly delivered
through various semiotic
resources, and in consideration
of the various situations where
and how the text will be read by
different people having different
cultural backgrounds.
Lesson 4: The Rise of New Media and For example, Twitter used to disallow
Technology Aids in Communication the uploading of videos or images, but
because of the high demand and the
SOCIAL MEDIA USE stiff competition, this feature was
allowed in 2011. Today, more than half
Social media- has undoubtedly altered of the content that can be seen in
the world operates. The rapid and vast Twitter includes photos and videos.
adoption of new media platforms have
changed the way people relate and The exponential rise in the use of
communicate with social media can be partly attributed to
each other in the social, economic, and the emergence of technologies that
political arenas. enable modern communication (that is,
FAST, CONVENIENT, INTERACTIVE
Though there are minor social media communication).These include
platforms available since the 90s, the computers, laptops, and smart
social media that we know today phones, among [Link] addition, the
rise of social media is a unique
MySpace in 2004,–the one with millions manifestation of how quickly and
of active and interactive users started drastically patterns of social
when it reached a million active users. behaviors change.
Since then, other sites started
mushrooming, and people began getting Some Interesting Statistics on Social
hooked to these new media. Media Use
Some media platforms have been so In a 2017 report by the Global Web
popular that the number of users rise at Index, around 42% of people use social
such an exponential rate. TikTok, for media platforms to stay in touch with
example, became such a craze in 2020 what their friends are doing, while 39%
during the COVID-19 pandemic, when said they want to stay up-to-date with
people were mostly at home and thus news and current events.
have nothing to dobecause of the
worldwide call to Stay Home. It was The other top reasons for using social
launched in 2016, and had half a billion mediaare filling up spare time, general
users by 2018. This number even got networking with other people, looking for
higher in mid-2020, with over 800 million entertaining content, sharing photos or
active users within that time span. videos, sharing ones opinion, meeting
new people, and researching or finding
However, not all social media platforms out products to buy
last. For example, in 2008, Hi5,
MySpace, and Friendsterwere close Responsible Use of Social Media
competitors to the social media giant,
Facebook. In 2012, all three had Social media has grown in popularity
virtually disappeared as shown by very over the years, with hundreds of options
poor performance of market shares. for sharing your thoughts, photos, and
Interestingly, the social media platforms videos and for interacting with friends
that survived did so because of their and family. The more it grows, the more
continuous evolution and response to we discover about the do's and don'ts of
the needs and interests of its users. social media. The same rules apply to
all social media playgrounds, regardless
of which site is your favorite. There are reputation. Many employers now check
some practices for engaging in up on job candidates' social media
responsible social media use and best accounts for evidence of bad behavior.
practices for social site etiquette.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND THE NEW
We all have a social responsibility. MEDIA
We all have friendships and Question: Does the language we use
professional relationships that can either dictate the language of new media, or
be helped or hindered by our social do new media shape the language
media presence. Imagine you post that we use?
inappropriate selfies of your weekend Let me rephrase that: Are we using
activities on Instagram. Have you new media, or are new media using
considered what your boss will think? us?
What if you say something spiteful after
a fight with a friend and then realize they New media -refer to highly interactive
saw it before you could delete it? You digital technology. These are very easily
may have just lost a friendship over processed, stored, transformed,
social media silliness. You are 100 retrieved, hyper-linked, searched for,
percent responsible for everything that and accessed.
appears on your social media accounts,
from your status updates and comments Generally, these can be classified as:
to pictures, videos, and links you share • Blogs
• Social media
You may not agree with everything or • Online newspaper
everyone you encounter on social media • Virtual reality
networks, but treat each person with • Computer games
dignity and respect. The Golden Rule of
treating others how you want to be Language in new media is sometimes
treated is a good practice. referred to as Computer-mediated
communication (CMC),though it may
Do not turn to social media as a way to also be called any of the following:
harass, demean, or bully someone else.
Sitting in front of a computer screen • Netspeak
does not give you license to embarrass, • Computer-mediated discourse
intimidate, or spread hurtful rumors
• Digital discourse
about others.
• Electronic discourse
Regardless of your privacy settings, • e-communication
keep in mind that anything can possibly • Digitally mediated communication.
be seen by anyone at any time, even by • Keyboard-to-screen
that person that you did not want to see communication
it. Pause before you post, think
before you click. The Internet is the largest area of
language development we have seen in
Whether you're concerned with our lifetimes.
maintaining good friendships or future Crystal (2011)said that only two things
job prospects, be responsible in what are certain: it is not going to go away,
you post and how it could affect your and it is going to get larger. Hence, we
must be prepared for its inevitable errors, which are reinterpreted as
expansion. outcomes of speedy text production
rather than indices of lacking
Digital discourse -illuminates social competence.
and cultural processes, which is under
the domain of sociocultural linguistics. CMC is Interpersonal. It is relationship-
focused rather than subject-oriented.
The primary concern is not with abstract, This can be explained by the number of
grammatical linguistics, but rather the Group Chats (GCs) a person has, and
everyday functions and uses of the number of individuals and GCs a
language. person engages simultaneously.
This type of discourse or computer- The interpersonal nature of CMC is
mediated communication can be characterized by the following:
described as:
• Turn-taking
• Vernacular • Topic development
• Interpersonal • Back-channels
• Spontaneous • Repairs
• Dialogical
CMC is Spontaneous. It is usually
CMCis Vernacular -which means it unplanned, unstructured, and
uses language that is common to people sometimes impulsive. This spontaneity
regardless of age, social class, gender, also gave rise to Net Neologisms
or race. through Lexical Creativity, such as the
use of b4nand f2f, or such terms as
Examples trolls, meme, hashtag, and meh. These
• Acronyms (Lol, yolo, fomo, bae) can be described as mediatized
• Initialisms (atm, rotfl, brb, btw, stylization and popular representation.
hbd, idk, jk, af, nvm, tmi, tldr, ftw,
g!) CMC is Dialogical - It carries
• Emoticons/ Emojis expectation of continuous exchange.
• Expressive Punctuations (Hello? This is why most media platforms have
VS Hello?!?, No. VS No? VS a Replyor Commentoption, while some
No!!!, <3 ; </3, :-) ;)) have a Leave a commentbutton, to
ensure continuous interaction.
Misspellings / Respellings
The English language in the New
Respelling- is a resource whose use is Media is
subject to a variety of factors, including
userstechnoliteracy, their considerations • Brief
of audience and purpose, and physical • Multimodal
constraints of message production (for • Ideological
economy and text entry reduction). ( cu,
2nyt, tom/2mrw, abt, y? ) Brevity. Do you notice how much
people put premium on length and on
These increase insecurities in spelling, the time it would take for them to read
but also tolerance towards typographical an article in the net?
• To inform
Multimodality- this refers to the • To persuade
layering of different digital media. We all • To prevent misunderstanding
know that words are only ever part of • To present a point of view or
the picture. All texts, all communicative reduce barriers
events, are always achieved by means
of multiple semiotic resources, even Steps in Communication Planning
text-based new media like instant- and
text-messaging. 1. Research and analyze current
situation.
Ideologically-motivated- new media is 2. Establish goals and objectives
inherently ideological, especially in (short and long term).
terms of their political-economies of 3. Identify the target audience (what
access and control. they know, what influences them,
communication impediments,
They are used to control people, and etc.).
they are used to resist control. This is 4. Conceptualize on key messages.
quite apparent, most especially through 5. Strategize on communication
the symbolic power of the news and styles and platform(s).
broadcast media. 6. Evaluate and anticipate.
Language use- is not simply a way of Communication Strategies in Tech-
communicating, but a powerful resource based
for representing (or manipulating) its Communication Modern technology-
users, especially the young people – so- did not only usher in new forms of
called digital natives. None of this is language used in new media, but also
especially new; every generation likes to paved the way on how communication
complainabout the next generations takes place and how messages are
communication practices. presented.
This is an important context in which Part of communication planning is
language can be seen taking place in deciding on the platform in which the
and around new media, and how it message will be presented. In some
continues to evolve with every new cases, the use of technology will do
technological revolution taking place. wonders for your presentation
COMMUNICATION PLANNING Multimedia presentations often always
require the use of technology, and these,
Communication planning process - when used properly, can do wonders for
involves defining the types of your presentation. They are visually-
information you will deliver, who are the oriented and allow multimodality (as
intended recipients of that information, discussed in Lesson 3) and the use of
the format for communicating it, and the such features as text, graphics, photos,
timing of its release and distribution. audio, anmations, and video.
The key goal is to make sure everybody There are a wide array of presentation
gets the right message at the right time. software and tools to choose from,
It serves various purposes: some of which are free and very user-
friendly, that is, you do not need training
to be able to utilize the software and
maximize its features.
Regardless of the software or
technological tool that you use, there
are a few factors that you need to
bear in mind in using technology as
an aid to communication:
• Keep it [Link]
including too much information in
a graphic or in one slide. The
message should be immediate
and clear. By keeping the visual
material simple, you also
maintain maximum personal
contact with your audience
• Emphasize only on key
[Link] you call attention to
ideas with a graphic presentation,
make sure the graphic clearly
illustrates your essential points
and the important supporting data.
• Show what you cant [Link]
best use of visual media is to
reveal material you cant easily
describe orally or with written text.
Graphics, photos, charts, and
illustrations can accomplish this
objective.
• Keep the number of images
you present [Link]
many images will tire your
audience (so will too much text).
Eight to ten images should be the
maximum number for most
presentations.
• Combine variety with
[Link] you use several
images, vary the design to make
them interesting, but keep them
aesthetically consistent.
• Use large [Link] large
text font sizes with minimal use of
serifs so the audience can read
the text easily. In addition, do not
flood your presentation with text.
