Part 1
This experiment wasn't so much easy or difficult it just required a lot of restraint, not having the ability to communicate in any way just made you have to think about everything a lot more. my partner didn't really alter their conversation they just adapted to me not being able to speak. Obviously it was strange not being able to get feedback, made her a little uncomfortable, she just had to continue on though but said she felt like she was talking to a wall.
If we were just meeting the person with the more evolved language would most likely be able to communicate their complex ideas, though it would be difficult. this would most likely involve a bunch of hand signs as well as demonstration. and the culture with the evolved language would most likely look down upon those who don't have a language of their own. Well people in this culture who would have difficulty communicating wood be someone not native to the United States, whether from China or Mexico they wouldn't be able to communicate quite as easily. Well in our culture since they are not able to be understood we tend to loath them and wonder why they can't just learn the language. But of course it's not that simple, they have been raised on the language and though this country is accepting it has its moment of exclusion, especially around language.
Part 2
I sadly was not able to make it the full 15 minutes being Italian made it difficult for me not to incorporate my hands in some way into the conversation. My partner felt weird, mostly because i was trying to hold my hands to my side the entire time, but also communication is not based solely on verbal communication but also body language. I think non-speech language techniques may be as important as verbal techniques. Yes many people definitely do have difficultly reading body language, but sometimes it's just people being oblivious but also disorders form around it such as Aspergers. An environmental condition were it would not be necessary would be in a dark cave where you and the person you are communicating with are laying down facing the ceiling and not moving. But in that situation I could still see myself adding some type of body language. Body language and verbal language go hand in hand definitely.
Personally, I felt part 2 was more difficult then the first part. I also did not last the full 15 minutes. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that we are all used to expressing ourselves symbolically and with words. It has become something so natural that when someone uses flat speech, such as a parent or boy/girlfriend, the first thing that comes to mind is "whats wrong" or "are you mad?" I agree completely with what you stated about body and verbal language do go hand in hand.
ReplyDeleteHello, kma7,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog post and I do agree with you. I agree with your statement "Body language and verbal language go hand in hand definitely". I agree with this statement because an individual has to both verbal and body language to communicate effectively. When you say that body language isn’t necessary in the dark basically, i agree it isn’t necessary, however, when I am in the dark on the phone or talking to someone lying next to me I still use body language as if I was in the light. It is just something we have become so accustomed to.
"my partner didn't really alter their conversation they just adapted to me not being able to speak."
ReplyDeleteSo... adapting is altering. :-) How did she adapt? What adjustments or changes did she make. Why was she uncomfortable talking to a brick wall?
Good discussion on the issue of two different cultures.
I get a kick out of people claiming heritage when they have trouble with Part B. Everyone has problems with the second part, regardless of their background and there is an evolutionary reason for that!
Good descriptions and I'm glad you raise the issue of Aspergers.
The final question doesn't ask when reading sign languages isn't needed. It asks when it might be to your benefit to not read body language and focus on spoken language? Is there any situation where body language might lie to you? Do all cultures use the same body language?
hello Kma7,
ReplyDeleteI defiantly agree with your claim that this exercise was not so much difficult as it was more about concentration and restraint. And that body language and verbal language are so embedded in us that it has become second nature. I am a bit suprised to see that you had opposite struggles in the experiment then I did myself, part 1 was far more challenging for me to stick to. And i would also agree with L. Rodriguez's correction that your example for the last question is more of a moment where sign language has no benefit in the conversation.