This language experiment was quite difficult. It was hard for me in particular because my girlfriend says I talk a lot. So for me to be quiet for 15 minutes without saying a word was a hard task. She can interpret my body language and hand movements, but without being able to hear me say a word did make things a bit difficult to understand completely. I felt that the conversation began to get frustrated for the both of us when she wasn't able to understand my body language accurately. If my girlfriend and I were from two different cultures meeting for the first time, and my only form of communication was body language, hand signs, and other forms that were not vocalized or sign language; I feel she would have some sort of empowerment over me for the simple fact that she would be able to express complex ideas and I wouldn't be able to effectively communicate back. There are some individuals, such as deaf, elders with hearing loss, children with disabilities that have trouble communicating and understanding sign language, and not only the speaker, but these individuals will become frustrated by not being able to understand or be understood. These individuals may began to feel of less importance because they can not be understood properly.
For the next part of the experiment, I was not able to last the full 15 minutes communicating without and facial expressions, body movements, or hand signals. I felt that the most difficult part was not moving my head or eyebrows. I never realized how hard it was to not nod my head or raise my eyebrows before. I could talk for a few minutes until I was able to get into the conversation and catch myself raising an eyebrow. My girlfriend seemed not as interested in our conversation after a few minutes, due to the fact that I showed no interest myself without any facial expressions or or body movements so the conversation turned into just a flowing conversation with no point. This experiment shows us just how much our body language, signs, and facial expressions really keep the listener in tune with us and interested about the topic. With limitations we tend to lose the listeners attention because we are making the conversation boring. I feel everyone has difficulties reading body language to some extent. Just thin about a time when you are across a store or a room at a party, and you are trying to say something to your friend and they were not able to interpret your form of communication, the frustration will set in and eventually one person will walk over to the other and ask, "what did you say?", and this experiment shows that. When people can interpret body language effectively in conversations, the speaker is shown that they are being understood and they are having a quality conversation.
An environmental condition where it would NOT be beneficial to interpret body language would be in front of a jury in a courthouse when you are trial defending yourself and your actions. You would not want someone to think you are lying by your body language if your nervous and it shows. They might interpret your body language as defensive instead of nervousness. This experiment was quite interesting to participate in and think about in general because it makes you realize just how much body language and other ways factor into communication with others.
First of all, great images! They really add to your post and make it fun to read.
ReplyDeleteGreat description on Part A. Good discussion on the cultural issues. You talk about how those who do not use "normal" speech might feel, but what is the attitude of the "speaking" population to the "non-speakers"? Think about how people may talk to (and about) immigrants to this country who don't speak English well. Does language come into play at all in their attitudes?
For Part B, couldn't you use words to express your interest in the conversation? I wonder if it is a situation of disinterest or is it discomfort? Humans use body language to confirm what a person is saying. If their words match the body language, it supports the message. If it doesn't match, they know they shouldn't trust the message and question it. So what if you don't have that feedback mechanism? What if there is no body language? We don't know if we can trust the message (and the messenger) at all, which makes us uncomfortable.
Can you think of a group of people who have difficulty reading body language? Missed that point from the guidelines.
The trial is a situation where you would not want to express body language, but in what situation would you not want to read body language yourself? Is there ever a situation where body language might give you false information? Do all cultures use the same system of body language?
Hey Josh
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. I'm agreeing with a lot of your content, especially the section involving the experiment with words but no body language. Tone of voice and body movement all help with socialization and impressions upon people. Monotonous voices gathered together wouldn't be entertaining at all! I also like the image you picked of the percentage triangle. If that is accurate, it's surprising that body language makes up more than half of what language is.
I am a little confused with your example about the trial. Would it not be better to be able to read body language effectively in a courtroom? Or do you mean it wouldn't benefit the defendant?
Josh,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post! My experience was quite similar to yours. Yes, it was very frustrating not being able to speak, write or use any type of vocal language. Simple body language just won't work sometimes because not everybody understands it. However, the second part was really difficult now that I think back. Yes we were able to speak but its when we're not allowed to do anything else that we realize just how much we're dependent on it. Head nods, hand gestures and even eyebrow movement is such an essential part in communicating that when we're deprived of it we ever this phase of desperation, or at least I did!
This experiment really made me appreciate those who are not able to communicate fully or as easily as we can. I've can definitely say I've developed a lot of patience!