What is verbal communication? When we say verbal communication, it means both spoken and written communication.
The former is what we called the spoken language or speech, and the latter is oral or written communication
Both make use words to carry the message across.
For instance having a conversation with someone, sending an email or letters, making an announcement or giving a speech and presentation to a crowd.
Words are crucial in verbal message.
The use of correct or carefully chosen words can mean different interpretations to the different listeners/readers.
Many words have multiple meanings and can be interpreted differently.
We can describe a situation or a thing in different ways. We have what we called connotative meaning.
When you say or write cheap watch and an inexpensive watch.
To the listeners or readers it has two different connotations, even both refer to the same watch, right?
Another good example is the two words "inexperienced " and "naive".
When we talk about oral communication, there is this thing call vocalis.
It refers to the tone of the voice or pace of speech and volume.
We can learn a lot about how others would like you to interpret their words by how they say them; by the tone, pitch and volume.
One great example would be when you hear someone calls out your name in different ways. You instantly know that whether that person is excited, angry, ambiguous or nervous, etc.
Many a time, we have problems with verbal communication.
For example, the use of wrong or inappropriate word can lead to breakdown in communication.
Another culprit is the language.
Language barrier, to be precise. It causes confusion and misunderstanding.
Do you know that enormous amount of the meaning of any spoken message is communicated non verbally?
In fact nonverbal communication assists a lot in in our verbal communication.
That even includes regulating verbal interactions.
For instance we raise our hand when we want to ask a question.
Or we want to accent our message, we pound the table for emphasis.
Another good example is when you want to make sure the listeners understand your clearly, you do it by holding up three fingers, to indicate that you only mean three points, three reasons or three of whatever.
The other nonverbal communication are your gestures, postures and facial expressions.
So now you know what is verbal communication.
Surprisingly, even verbal communication is very complex, yet we engage in it all the time. As someone says, even when we don't communicate, we are actually communicating. [image]
