Language Blog

Part 1:

First conversation occurred without any use of verbal language, writing or sign language (ASL). I felt it was difficult to have a conversation with any detail. I don't know of a way to articulate too many details without speaking or writing. It is like playing Charades. It takes way too long to portrait information to another using this method.

My partner that was attempting to have a conversation with me in this manner was getting frustrated because it was harder to convey anything with real meaningful content. He would try to have a more basic conversation in order to make it easier. Then he started asking more questions so it could be more of a simple reply on my end.

I feel I was more in control of the conversation due to my lack of communication. My partner had to cater to my abilities or inabilities. My partner had control of the subjects and the limits of the topics though.  He would bring up topics or subjects that were easier to convey responses to. He would simplify the information more and more until it seemed to be a comfort level that we could attempt to communicate at. After a few minutes, my partner would just ask me questions that I could basically answer yes or no, with minimal detail.
I think we both had different power in the conversation. I had the power of limitation and he had the power of content as well as topic.

 If my partner and myself represented two different cultures, I believe he would have all the power. He would be able to articulate way more complicated information than I could. He could articulate to larger masses of people. I would only be able to show others basic ideas with a smaller number of people and it might not even be conveyed.

I think a speaking culture would have superiority over a non speaking culture. You can work in mass if your able to communicate need and wants at a easier level. You would be able to communicate details that would be pertinent to many functions as a community and a progressing society. Also cultures believe it is a more dignified way of communication.

I can't think of any modern culture that does not have a way to communicate. Often times there is a lack of communication or misinterpretations due to language barriers. When people are unable to understand each other it can feel like we are on different planets. If you want to compare our communication with children, I could say in the beginning they are unable to speak. We have to start interpreting their cries, their motions and their fussiness. We start learning what they need and want through repetition and knowing their basic needs and wants.

Part 2:

Second part of this assignment I found difficult as well. I am known for being active with my hands when I communicate. I also use a lot of facial expression when I communicate. It was hard to control what I believe to be a natural reaction for me when I communicate. I was distracted by eliminating all the factors I needed to complete this assignment.

My partner understood all the information I was communicating but he was distracted by my lack of emotion and lack of movement. He is use to me portraying myself a certain way so he was anticipating more than just words. He thought it was harder to take me seriously because it was hard to know if I was being sarcastic, silly or serious.

This experiment showed that how we express ourselves physically is almost as important as the words coming from our mouths. Our tone makes people know the emotions behind the content. It's a way of expressing ourselves without having to use all the words. Physical expressions alert us if someone is lying, is uncomfortable, portraying something other than their words, love, respect, kindness and irritation.

Benefits to being able to read people's body language can help you survive by knowing if someone is going to harm you. It can help you gain resources by portraying trustworthy behavior. It can help you reproduce successfully because you are able to portray attraction or love.

I believe there are people that have difficulty reading body language. Generally I believe people that do not possess the ability to read people are often socially awkward. Generally they are easy to spot. They stand too close when people are clearly uncomfortable. They continuously push for a relationship that someone is clearly trying to avoid but be kind.  I believe it is sometimes a positive thing not to read body language because you don't sense all the negative output you may be receiving and can go about being happy. Another positive thing about not being able to read people is if they are good manipulators, sometimes they will use more physical effect to get want they want.