WHAT IS LANGUAGE?

A structured system of symbols, sounds, gestures, or written

characters used to convey meaning.

It is a uniquely human ability that allows individuals to

express thoughts, emotions, and ideas through speech,
writing, or signs.

Language can be verbal (spoken or written) or

non-verbal (gestures, body language, or
symbols).
FEATURES:

Symbolic Nature: Words, signs, or gestures represent objects, actions, or

concepts

Rule-Governed Structure: Language follows grammatical rules (syntax) and

meaning rules (semantics).

Arbitrariness: The connection between a word and its meaning is often arbitrary
(e.g., the word "dog" has no inherent connection to the animal it represents).

Productivity: Language allows for the creation of infinite new sentences and
ideas.

Cultural Transmission: Language is learned and passed down through

generations within a cultural context.
 COMMUNICATION

the process of exchanging information, ideas, thoughts, or

feelings between individuals or groups. It involves a sender, a
message, a medium, and a receiver.
Elements/Process of Communication

Sender (Source) – The Encoding – The process of Message – The actual

person or entity that converting thoughts, content being
creates and conveys ideas, or information into communicated, whether
a message. a symbolic form, such as spoken, written, or non-
words, gestures, or verbal.
images.
 BARRIERS IN COMMUNICATION

Barriers in communication are obstacles that hinder the effective

exchange of information, ideas, or emotions between individuals or
groups.

These barriers can occur at any stage of the communication process

and can lead to misunderstandings, confusion, or even conflict
Types of communication barriers:

1. Physical Barriers
Environmental or external factors that obstruct communication.

Examples:
Noise (e.g., loud machinery, traffic).
Poor lighting or visibility.
Distance between communicators.
Technical issues (e.g., poor internet connection, faulty microphones).
4. Psychological Barriers
Mental or emotional factors that interfere with communication.

Examples:
Stress, anxiety, or fear.
Prejudices or preconceived notions.
Lack of attention or interest.

5. Emotional Barriers
Strong emotions that distort or block communication.

Examples:
Anger, frustration, or sadness.
Overexcitement or enthusiasm.
Fear of judgment or rejection.
 6. Perceptual Barriers
Differences in perception or interpretation of the same message.

Examples:
Personal biases or assumptions.
Selective hearing or attention.
Misalignment of perspectives.

7. Organizational Barriers
Structural or procedural issues within an organization that hinder communication.

Examples:
Complex hierarchies or chains of command.
Lack of clear policies or channels for communication.
Information overload or excessive bureaucracy.
8. Technological Barriers
Issues related to the use of technology in communication.

Examples:
Malfunctioning devices or software.
Over-reliance on digital communication, reducing personal interaction.
Lack of access to technology.

9. Physiological Barriers
Physical conditions that affect communication.

Examples:
Hearing or speech impairments.
Fatigue or illness.
Disabilities that limit communication.
10. Semantic Barriers
Misunderstandings caused by the meaning or interpretation of words or symbols.

Examples:
Ambiguous or vague language.
Misinterpretation of metaphors, idioms, or cultural references.
Differences in terminology or definitions.
How to Overcome Communication Barriers:

Use Clear and Simple Language – Avoid jargon and complex words.

Active Listening – Focus on understanding, not just responding.

Use the Right Medium – Choose the best communication channel for
the message.

Cultural Awareness – Respect and learn about different cultural

communication styles.

Feedback and Clarification – Ask questions to ensure understanding.

Animal Communication

Animals use signals, sounds, body language, and chemical cues to convey
information.

Their communication is often instinctive and linked to survival (e.g., warning signals,
mating calls, territory marking).

It is limited in flexibility—most species cannot create new meanings or discuss

abstract concepts.

Examples:
Bees perform a waggle dance to indicate the location of food.
Dolphins use clicks and whistles to communicate.
Dogs use barking, growling, and body posture to express emotions.
Communication Models
Communication models help explain how messages are
transmitted between individuals or groups.

These models can be linear, interactive, or transactional.

1. Aristotle’s Model of Communication (The Earliest Model)

Aristotle’s Model is a linear model (one-way process) focused on persuasion. It

emphasizes the role of the speaker in delivering a message to influence the audience.

Elements:
1. Speaker – The person who delivers the message.
2. Message – The content being communicated.
3. Audience – The receiver of the message.

Example:
A politician (speaker) delivers a campaign speech (message) to convince voters
(audience).
A teacher (speaker) explains a lesson (message) to students (audience).

📌 Limitation: This model does not consider feedback from the audience.
Elements:
1. Who? – The communicator (sender).
2. Says What? – The message content.
3. In Which Channel? – The medium (TV, radio, social media, speech,
etc.).
4. To Whom? – The audience or recipient.
5. With What Effect? – The impact or outcome of the communication.
Example:
A news anchor (who) reports on an election result (says what) via
television (channel) to the public (to whom) to inform them (with
what effect).

📌 Limitation: It does not include feedback, making it a one-way model.

3. Shannon-Weaver Model of
Communication (1949)

🔹 Shannon-Weaver’s Model is known as the

mathematical model of communication, originally
designed for telephone and radio communication. It
introduced the concept of noise affecting messages.
Elements:
Elements:
1. Sender (Information Source) – The person or system sending the message.
2. Encoder – Converts the message into a signal (e.g., voice into electrical signals in a
phone).
3. Channel – The medium (radio, phone, internet, TV, etc.).
4. Noise – Any interference (e.g., poor signal, background noise, misinterpretation).
5. Decoder – Converts the signal back into a message.
6. Receiver (Destination) – The person who gets and understands the message.

Example:
A teacher (sender) speaks into a microphone (encoder) to explain a lesson over Zoom
(channel). If the internet is slow (noise), students (receiver) may struggle to understand
the lecture.

📌 Advantage: This model recognizes that noise can distort communication.

📌 Limitation: Originally linear, but later versions added feedback, making it more
interactive.
1. Based on Mode
The mode of communication refers to the medium or channel through which
communication occurs.

It can be categorized as:

a. Verbal Communication

Spoken Communication: Face-to-face conversations, phone calls, video calls,

speeches, and interviews.

Written Communication: Emails, letters, text messages, reports, books, and social
media posts.
b. Non-Verbal Communication

Body Language: Gestures, posture, facial expressions, and eye contact.

Paralanguage: Tone of voice, pitch, volume, and speed of speech.

Visual Communication: Images, symbols, charts, graphs, and emojis.

Physical Appearance: Clothing, hairstyle, and accessories that convey messages.

d. Public Communication
Communication to a large audience (e.g., speeches, lectures, or public announcements).

e. Mass Communication
Communication to a widespread audience through mass media (e.g., television, radio,
newspapers, or social media).

f. Organizational Communication
Communication within an organization (e.g., memos, reports, meetings, or corporate
announcements).

g. Intercultural Communication
Communication between individuals or groups from different cultural
backgrounds.
3. Classification Based on Purpose
The purpose of communication refers to the intent or goal behind the communication. It can be
categorized as:

a. Informative Communication
Aimed at sharing information, facts, or knowledge (e.g., news reports, lectures, or instructional
videos).

b. Persuasive Communication
Aimed at influencing or conv
incing the audience (e.g., advertisements, political speeches, or sales pitches).

c. Instructional Communication
Aimed at teaching or guiding the audience (e.g., tutorials, manuals, or training sessions).
d. Entertainment Communication
Aimed at entertaining or engaging the audience (e.g., movies, comedy shows, or
storytelling).

e. Expressive Communication
Aimed at expressing emotions, feelings, or personal thoughts (e.g., poetry,
personal letters, or diary entries).

f. Motivational Communication
Aimed at inspiring or encouraging the audience (e.g., motivational speeches, pep
talks, or self-help books).

g. Ritualistic Communication
Aimed at maintaining social norms or traditions (e.g., greetings, ceremonies, or
religious rituals).
4. Classification Based on Style
The style of communication refers to the tone, formality, and approach used in
communication. It can be categorized as:

a. Formal Communication
Structured and professional communication, often following specific rules and protocols
(e.g., business reports, official letters, or academic papers).
b. Informal Communication
Casual and relaxed communication, often without strict rules (e.g., conversations with
friends, text messages, or social media posts).
c. Assertive Communication
Clear, confident, and respectful communication that expresses thoughts and feelings
directly (e.g., stating opinions or setting boundaries).
d. Aggressive Communication
Forceful and dominating communication that disregards others' feelings (e.g., shouting,
blaming, or interrupting).

e. Passive Communication
Indirect and submissive communication that avoids expressing thoughts or feelings (e.g.,
staying silent or agreeing to avoid conflict).

f. Passive-Aggressive Communication
Indirectly expressing negative feelings or resistance (e.g., sarcasm, backhanded
compliments, or silent treatment).

g. Collaborative Communication
Cooperative and inclusive communication aimed at finding common ground or solving
problems together (e.g., team discussions or negotiations).
Language Acquisition,
Speech Community, L1,
and L2
These concepts are fundamental in
linguistics, particularly in understanding
how people learn and use language.
1. Language Acquisition
Language acquisition refers to the process of learning a language. It can be divided
into:

First Language Acquisition (L1 Acquisition):

The natural process of learning one’s mother tongue from birth.
Happens subconsciously and without formal instruction.
Example: A Filipino child growing up in Manila learns Tagalog at home.

Second Language Acquisition (L2 Acquisition):

The process of learning a second language after acquiring the first.
Requires explicit instruction and conscious effort.
Example: A Filipino student learns English at school as a second language.
2. Speech Community
A speech community is a group of people who share a common
language or dialect and follow the same linguistic rules.

Members have shared norms, vocabulary, and communication styles.

Can be based on geographical location, culture, profession, or social
group.

Example:
The Tagalog-speaking community in the Philippines.
Medical professionals who use specialized medical jargon.
Online gamers who communicate using gaming slang.
Summary of the 7 Cs
Set of principles designed to ensure effective
and clear communication.

These principles are widely used in both

personal and professional contexts to improve
the quality of communication and avoid
misunderstandings.
1. Clarity
🔹 Make your message clear and easy to understand.
Use simple words and short sentences.
Avoid vague or ambiguous terms.

Example:
❌ The report should be done soon. (Unclear)
✔️Please submit the report by Friday at 5 PM. (Clear)
2. Conciseness
🔹 Keep your message short and to the point.
Remove unnecessary words.
Focus on important details.

Example:
❌ I am writing this email to inform you that the meeting
has been scheduled for Monday at 10 AM. (Too long)
✔️The meeting is on Monday at 10 AM. (Concise)
3. Correctness
🔹 Use correct grammar, spelling, and facts.
Double-check for typos and errors.
Ensure accuracy in numbers, names, and details.

Example:
❌ Your welcome to the event. (Incorrect)
✔️You're welcome to the event. (Correct)
4. Completeness
🔹 Include all necessary information.
Answer the who, what, where, when, why, and how.
Ensure the reader does not need to ask for more details.

Example:
❌ Let’s meet tomorrow. (Incomplete)
✔️Let’s meet tomorrow at 2 PM in the conference room.
(Complete)
5. Coherence
🔹 Ensure your message is logical and well-organized.
Use a structured flow (e.g., introduction, main point,
conclusion).
Avoid jumping between ideas randomly.

Example:
❌ We need to increase sales. Marketing strategies must
be improved. Customer service is also important.
(Disorganized)
✔️ To increase sales, we will first improve our marketing
strategies. Next, we will enhance customer service.
(Coherent)
6. Consideration
🔹 Think about your audience’s perspective.
Use a friendly and respectful tone.
Avoid offensive or insensitive words.
Adapt the message to the audience’s knowledge level.

Example:
❌ You didn’t follow the instructions properly! (Harsh)
✔️Let’s review the instructions to ensure we’re on the
same page. (Considerate)
7. Courtesy
🔹 Be polite and professional.
Use respectful language and a positive tone.
Say please and thank you when needed.

Example:
❌ Send me the report now. (Rude)
✔️Could you please send me the report at your earliest
convenience? (Polite)
Ethics of
Communication
Truthfulness and Honesty – Avoid misleading or deceptive
messages.

Respect for Others – Value diverse opinions and avoid offensive

language.

Confidentiality – Protect private or sensitive information.

Fairness – Avoid bias, discrimination, and favoritism in

communication.

Responsibility – Take accountability for messages and their

impact.
Integrity – Maintain consistency between words and actions.

Transparency – Be open about intentions, sources, and processes.

Cultural Sensitivity – Respect different cultural norms and

communication styles.

Avoiding Plagiarism – Give proper credit for ideas, quotes, and

research.

Non-Manipulation – Do not use communication to deceive or

exploit others.
Communicatio
n and
Globalization
1. Communication
Communication is the process of exchanging information, ideas, and
emotions between individuals or groups.

Verbal (spoken or written language)

Non-verbal (body language, gestures, facial expressions)
Digital (emails, social media, video calls)

Effective communication ensures understanding, cooperation, and

relationship-building in personal, social, and professional settings.
2. Globalization
the process of increasing interconnectedness between
countries through:

Trade and business (international companies like Apple,

McDonald's)
Technology and media (social media, instant messaging)
Culture and language exchange (learning English as a global
language)
Travel and migration (people working or studying abroad)
How Communication and Globalization Are Connected

🌍 Globalization
relies on communication to connect people, share knowledge, and
facilitate economic and cultural exchange.

📱 Technology (internet, social media, video calls)

has made communication across borders instant and easy,
allowing businesses, governments, and individuals to interact
globally.

🗣️ English has become a global language, often used in business,

diplomacy, and education due to globalization.
Examples of Communication in Globalization

Social Media: People from different countries interact on

platforms like X (Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok.

Business Communication: Companies use email, Zoom, and

messaging apps to collaborate internationally.

Cultural Exchange: K-pop, anime, Hollywood movies, and

Filipino music (like SB19!) reach global audiences.