Language Post

     While engaging in conversation with my daughter is always a joy, this experiment took it to a whole new level.  Conversing without words was quite the task.  My attempts to solicit or respond to a question usually ended with my palm to my forehead.  At times, I would catch myself trying to play charades.  On the other hand, my daughter was able to carry on conversation whether I responded correctly or not.  She always seemed to be three subjects ahead, whereas I was still trying to get her to understand my first message.  If I was trying to talk about our dog, she was talking about the kitchen.  For the most part this assignment was frustrating, I could not imagine not being able to talk.  In this case my daughter took full control of the conversation.  The fact that she was in complete control, gave her the ability to change topics, ask and answer the questions, as well as exclude me from the conversation.  As a matter of fact, if there were not a fifteen-minute time limit, she would probably still be talking.  The balance of power was definitely tilted her way and she enjoyed every minute.  Once again with her in control of the conversation, it didn’t matter what I was trying to say.  She would simply move on to the next subject.

     If we were two different cultures where one uses spoken language and the other does not, the culture with the spoken language would have the advantage in communicating complex ideas within their population.  The culture with the spoken language would be able to share information verbally, visually, and with a hands-on approach.  The culture that does not use spoken language may only communicate visually and with a hands-on approach.  The lack of verbal communication inhibits this culture.  The speaking culture in this case may look down upon the culture that does not use symbolic language as if they lack intelligence.  A modern situation that might resemble this relationship between a culture that can speak and culture that cannot would be parents and their newborn baby.  A baby is unable to express itself verbally therefore making it difficult for the parents to understand the needs of the infant.

     Speaking without any physical embellishments was no easy chore.  Especially attempting this with my daughter.  I felt like the teacher from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, lacking complete emotion. However, this time around she didn’t have the upper hand.  I was able to say exactly what I wanted to say, I could change the subject, and I actually felt like I was included in the conversation. The only problem was that it was one boring conversation!  So boring, that during our discussion she started playing her ukulele.  The lack of body language and vocal intonation was nearly impossible.  I found that to be very difficult and as previously stated my daughter found me to be very boring.  She seemed uninterested to the entire conversation.  My daughter had no problem comprehending; it was the absence of emotion on my part that kept her from engaging in conversation. 

     Non-speech language is an important role of effective communication.  This type of communication plays a vital role alongside verbal communication.  It allows the audience to capture feelings from the speaker.  Our emotions are displayed in our body language.  If a person were to read our body language they might see some of the following: a smile that represents happiness, a shoulder shrug may signify unawareness, eye rolling could imply disbelief or disgust, and hands on your hips might suggest dominance.   

     The adaptive benefit to possessing the ability to read body language is vital in our lives.  We have become dependent on this ability.  When we communicate with each other we tend to seek each other’s emotions.  For example, we might try to motivate somebody when they seem discouraged or know to console someone when they are sad.  The ability to read body language can help a person survive, obtain resources, and reproduce successfully by being able to understand the message that is being conveyed.      Realizing that somebody is a threat just by looking at their body language will automatically put you on guard.  You might fight, run, or even hide.  The look of a hungry, homeless child will provide them food, clothing and shelter. Additionally, males and females flirt with each other in hopes of finding a mate and eventually producing offspring.

     The blind are an obvious group of people that have difficulty reading body language.  Some children with learning disabilities may also have trouble-understanding non-verbal language.  A situation where there might be a benefit to not reading someone’s body language could be seen in people who are intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. The alcohol and drugs alter the normal state of mind, thus producing unreliable body language.