WMSU-ISMP-GU-001.

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Effective Date: 7-DEC-2016

I. Language and Communication

Lesson 3: Communication Processes, Principles, and Ethics

Introduction

Human beings are born with a capacity to communicate. Human brains are wired
to learn and acquire languages to convey and decode messages. For humans to
communicate effectively and efficiently, there are needs for language learners to: (1)
understand how communication processes work, what governing principles behind human
transactions are available, (3) and how do interlocutors maintain and observe ethical
guidelines to sustain quality and efficient communication transaction with each other.

Objectives

At the end of this lesson, you can:

1. Explain the various communication models and how they help in understanding the
communication process
2. Identify the variables involved in the communication process;
3. Compose a data commentary using charts, graphs, tables, and other visuals;
4. Recognize the importance of a code of ethics in communication.

Topic Outline
1. Communication Processes
2. Communication Principles
3. Communication Ethics

Try this!

Note: Both activities demonstrate and somehow make you realize that there are more
about in the nature of language and communication processes, principles and ethics that
you need to know.

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Listen to the excerpt: “Footprints in the Sand” as someone from your family will read it for
you. This should be done, once only. As you listen, list down the verbs that are in the past
form. Take note: There are 21 verbs that are in the past form. Identify them by writing
them in no particular order. Also take note that:
1. The excerpt will be read once only.
2. You can repeat the answers if you think these verbs need to be repeated.
3. Verbs can be written in no particular order.
4. Listen carefully and attentively while the excerpt is read for you.
5. Do not interrupt while the reading of the excerpt is done.

Footprints in the Sand

(Anonymous)

Last night, I had a dream: I dreamt that I was walking along the beach with
the Lord. And across the sky flashed scenes from my life. And for each scene, I
noticed two sets of foot prints in the sand. One belongs to me and the other to the
Lord. And after the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the
footprints in the sand. And I noticed that, many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very saddest and lowest times, there was only one set of footprints.
Now this really troubled me. So I asked the Lord about it. “Lord, you said
once I decided to follow you, you would walk with me all the way. But, I don’t
understand why when I needed you the most, you would leave me.” The Lord
replied, “My son, my precious child. I love you. And I would never leave you. During
the times of suffering, where you could see only one set of footprints, it was then
that I carried you.”

1. _______________ 8. _______________ 15. _______________

2. _______________ 9. _______________ 16. _______________
3. _______________ 10. _______________ 17. _______________
4. _______________ 11. _______________ 18. _______________
5. _______________ 12. _______________ 19. _______________
6. _______________ 13. _______________ 20. _______________
7. _______________ 14. _______________ 21. _______________

Think ahead!

Answer the following questions:

1. Were you able to identify all 21 verbs that are in the past form?
2. Compare your answers from the answer key provided for you. Which of these answers
you don’t have? Why?
3. When the excerpt was read, do you have issues regarding: pronunciation, speed/rate
of speech, voice volume, grammatical inputs, instructions, etc.?
4. What are your difficulties while doing the listening activity? List them down.
5. What language issues (past forms of the verb) are you not clarified about?
6. What language skill do you need to improve?

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Read and Ponder

Communication Processes

To have a good grasp of the communication transaction, consider several

communication models and see common variables that contribute to the success of
efficient communication. A model is often abstract. It helps you understand how a
communication process works. It is only by knowing the flow of communication that you
will be able to make the communication process effective.

1. Aristotle’s Linear Model of Communication

Speaker à Speech à Audience

2. Laswell’s Model
Communicator à Message à Medium à Receiver à Effect

3. Shannon- Weaver’s Model

Sender à Encoder à Channel à Decoder à Receiver

4. David Berlo’s Model

Source à Messages à Channel à Receiver

General Principles of Effective Communication

Since communication is a two-way process, it is important that you know the

principles to be observed to make it effective. You should be able to apply the following
principles:
1. Know your purpose in communicating.
2. Know your audience.
3. Know your topic.
4. Adjust your writing or speech to the context of the situation.

Principles of Effective Oral Communication

1. Be clear with your purpose.
2. Be complete with the message you deliver.
3. Be concise.
4. Be natural with your delivery.
5. Be specific and timely with your feedback.

Principles of Effective Written Communication

1. Be clear.
2. Be concise.
3. Be concrete.
4. Be correct.
5. Be coherent.
6. Be complete.
7. Be courteous.

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In understanding the nature of language, a learner is expected to realize that

communication makes use of language, and that language is a vehicle to communicate
both emotional and thought processes. For communication processes to transpire, there
is a need to know the necessary elements which include, namely: the speaker, the
receiver, the message, and the feedback. In oral communication these elements basically
do exist. In public speaking for instance, these elements are discussed in detail. The role
of the speaker and the listener, how messages should be tailored, and how to respond to
feedback to get your message across are important ingredients to understand each other.
How communication works in a particular situation can best be understood by looking at
different communication models. There are diverse models that you can review to have a
better grasp of the communication transaction. In the linear model by Aristotle for example,
both speaker and recipient are active discussants where both can switch roles at any time
just like what happens in a telephone conversation. Both discussants send messages
using a common language. There must be a meeting of both minds to agree with each
other. Each will give his/her response or feedback to ensure that the message is
understood.
Communication is categorized according to types. There are types of
communication according to mode, context, purpose and style. A message may be
conveyed via verbal, non-verbal, and visual means. By the way visual communication
makes use of images/icons to convey information. Examples are signs, symbols, images,
maps, graphs, charts, diagrams, drawings, and various forms of electronic
communication. Moreover, context in communication is referred to as composite of people
interacting with each other. These encompasses: interpersonal, intrapersonal, extended,
organizational, and intercultural. Lastly, is on purpose and style.

Communication Principles
Communication is a dynamic process in which people attempt to share their
internal states with other people through the use of symbols.

Communication is a dynamic process. This indicates that communication is an

ongoing activity and unending process; it is not static. Communication is like a motion
picture, not a single snapshot. Dynamic process conveys the idea that sending and
receiving messages involves a host of variables, all in operation at the same time. Both
parties in the transaction are seeing, listening, talking, thinking, perhaps smiling, and
touching, all at once. The concept of process also means that you and your partner are
part of the dynamic processes of communication. In other words, you are always affected
by other people’s messages, and as a consequence, are always changing—and your
messages are always changing other people.

Communication is symbolic. Inherent in our definition of communication is the

fact that humans are symbol-making creatures. In human communication, a symbol is an
expression that stands for or represents something else. One key characteristic of
symbols, is that symbols bear no inherent relation to what they are intended to represent
and are therefore, arbitrary. They are only sounds, marks on paper, movements, etc. that
you employ in your attempt to share your reality with other people. This symbol-making
ability allows for everyday interaction. An excellent summary (Wood, 2005) presents these
realities:

(1) We use symbols to create meaning.

(2) We ask others to be sounding boards so we can clarify our thinking, figure out
what things mean, enlarge our perspectives, check our perceptions, and label
feelings to give them reality.

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In all these ways, we actively construct meaning by interacting with symbols. The
main reason why communication is symbolic is that, there is no mind to mind contact
between people. You cannot access the internal thoughts and feelings of other human
beings; you can only infer what they are experiencing by what you see and hear. What
you know and feel remains inside of you unless you symbolically express it; this
expression is communication.

Communication is contextual. It is contextual because it occurs in particular

situations or systems that influence what and how we communicate and what meanings
we attach to messages. Put in slightly different terms, communication does not occur in
isolation or in a vacuum, but rather is part of a larger system composed of many
ingredients, all of which must be considered. As Littlejohn states, “Communication always
occurs in a context, and the nature of communication depends in large measure in this
context. What this implies is that the setting and environment help determine the words
and actions you generate and the meanings you give the symbols produced by other
people. Reflect for a moment on how differently you would behave in each of the following
settings: a church, a courtroom, a funeral, a wedding, a hospital, and a nightclub. Many of
these contextual rules are directly related to one’s culture. Some elements associated with
the contextual nature of communication include: (1) cultural context, (2) environmental
context, (3) occasion, (4) time, and (5) number of people.

Communication is self-reflective. Humans have the ability to think about

themselves, their communication partners, their messages, and the potential results of
those messages, all at the same time. (Ruben, 1998) expresses this unique feature as
follows: “Because of self-reflectiveness, we are able to think about our encounters and
our existence, about communication and human behavior.” We are the only species that
can be at both ends of the microscope at the same time. This very special feature allows
you to monitor your actions and, when necessary or desirable, make certain adjustments.

Communication has a consequence. Inserted into our last principle was the idea
that people can learn something from every experience to which they are exposed. The
act of sending and receiving symbols influences all the involved parties. “All of our
messages, to one degree or another, do something to someone else.” Your responses to
messages vary in degree and kind. It might help you try to picture your potential responses
in a form of a continuum. At the far end of the continuum are responses to messages that
are received unconsciously. That is, your body responds even if your cognitive processes
are kept to a minimum. Messages that you receive can alter your hormonal secretions,
your heart rate, or the temperature of your skin; modify pupil size, and trigger a host of
other internal responses. These chemical and biological responses are not outwardly
observable, and they are the most difficult ones to classify. However, they give credence
to our assertion that communication has a consequence. If your internal reactions produce
chaos in your system, as is the case with severe stress, you can become ill. Regardless
of the content of the message, it should be clear that the act of communication produces
change.

These communication principles obviously reveal by now that communication is

complex. This will even become more complex when cultural dimensions are included
(Porter and McDaniel, 2010).

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Ethics in Communication
Human relations are important in communication situations, be it call center scenario, or
a simple buy and sell transaction. Sending and receiving messages follow rules and
guidelines or acceptable norms called ethics in communication. There is such thing as
formal and informal use of the language just as there are formal and informal occasions.

See if you can do this!

Comprehension Questions

1. What are communication models? Why do you think they were introduced?
2. How does one model differ from the other/s?
3. How can one observe ethics in communication?
4. How do the principles of effective oral communication differ from those of
effective written communication?
5. Why is it important to have a code of conduct/ code of ethics?

Deepening: Self-assessment
See the importance of ethical actions. Rate yourself on how well you respond to some
trying times.

Descriptors Yes No

1. I can always recognize an ethical issue. __ __

2. I can be aware of the different perspectives of stakeholders of an issue. __ __
3. I am able to weigh things objectively. __ __
4. I can of alternative courses of action for a dilemma. __ __
5. I can formulate policies to avoid the recurrence of the dilemma. __ __

Supply the correct word in order to complete the thoughts in the paragraph. Some words
can be used twice.

Public speaking is speech-making before a large body of (1) ________ in an (2)

_____ context wherein you, the speaker, display your talents for eloquence and oratory.
Also, public speaking is an art of publicizing your ideas by means of using (3) _______
and (4) _______ cues in order for your (5) ________ to know what is happening in your
(6) _________. Furthermore, as a discipline, public speaking is an art of facing a group
of people and communicating to them your (7) _______ and (8) __________ by means
of effective (9) __________. Public speaking is demanding because it requires both the
(10) ___________ to be actively involved in the (11) __________ of ideas. Since both
are active (12) ___________ in the process, both need the so-called channels in which
information or messages pass through to reach both lines.
Public speaking has some demands on both interlocutors. For instance, as a sender
of the message, the speaker needs to know the roles of grammarians and rhetoricians.

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While it is true that grammarians are concerned with clarity, rhetoricians are concerned
with (13) __________. As a decoder of the message, on the other hand, requires good
listening skills. Effective speech delivery happens when both discussants have
analogous meaning in mind. In other words, in order for communication to transpire,
there must be the (14) “_________ of minds” of the encoder and decoder of the
message. However, public speaking is not (15) _____________ or talking to oneself.
Overall, communication as a (16) _________, needs to be understood to see the flow of
ideas uninterrupted, thereby avoiding communication bog down.

Effective Oral Communication

Name: ____________________________ Subject: ____________ Date: ___________

Task: On YouTube, view President Rodrigo Duterte’s speech at the Philippine-China

Trade and Investment Forum held in Beijing, China last October 20, 2016.

Do you think the five principles of effective oral communication were followed? Which ones
were followed and which ones were not? Why or why not? What advice would you give to
make the speaker more effective? Write your thoughts on the space below.

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Circle the word that does not belong to the group.

1. Encoders, decoders, audience, listeners, recipients
2. Speakers, encoders, senders, sources, spectators
3. Speaker, speech, audience, effects, feedbacks, interference
4. Interlocutors, discussants, recipients, communicators, channels
5. Mother tongue, language change, language contact, language acquisition,
foreign language

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Construct the sentence by completing the needed idea in each item.

1. Communication requires at least two ___________.
2. For public peaking to transpire, five elements are needed. These include: (a) _____
(b) ________ (c) __________ (d) __________ (e) _________.
3. The general process of effective communication requires that you, the speaker,
should (a) _______________ (b) ____________ and (c) ___________.
4. Aristotle’s model of communication has only three elements: (a) __________ (b)
__________ (c) _____________.
5. The effective principle of written communication have seven C’s: concrete, coherent,
correct, concise, (e) ________ (f) __________ (g) __________.

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