Language Blog

Part 1

I found the experiment quite challenging. Not being able to speak to another individual was very difficult especially how it got challenging to communicate with others by using gestures. It was somewhat easy to say the simple stuff like saying hungry or I want to eat. But when it came to having a full conversation, the language barrier was a total mess. In a way my partners slightly alter their way of communication due to the fact that they had to keep guessing what I was trying to imply with my body gestures. It was as if they were playing Pictionary while laughing at me the same time. Realistically I believe that the culture that uses symbolic language would have an advantage in communicating complex ideas. Reason being is that although the speaking culture could have an advantage with speaking and getting faster results, but the fact is that both parties come from different language barriers which means anything that the speaking culture says will not be understood by the symbolic culture. Any language barrier can understand where as symbolic culture can use hand gestures like rubbing the stomach saying, “I’m hungry”.

Part 2

I actually did this activity at work. Since I’m a sales associate I actually talk to many customers. What I found out about this activity is that I didn’t realize how much hand gestures I use while I am communicating with people. Although I am still speaking I realized I use hand gestures to help emphasize points in what I am saying. This activity wasn’t as difficult as the non-speaking activity, but it felt very awkward trying not to change my tone of voice and my body movements. I noticed with the customers I talked to seem weirded out about the fact that I am just talking to them in a “boring” type of style. They immediately left after they got answers to what they needed. If I can learn one thing in this experiment I could say that the use of “signs” in our language is important with communication especially if you want to become convincing to the people listening to you. I am sure there are many people who disregard the reading of body language, but I think the benefit of being able to read body language can help you understand the mood and what the person is thinking. Especially when it comes to being a sales associate, I think it is very important to understand the customer’s body language because this can help the seller convince their customers.