Communicative Competence

Lesson
Strategies in Various Speech
2
(Week 2) Situations

When communicating with other persons, people interact in different ways. In the
same manner, people do not communicate in just one way, using only one method. In
the previous lessons, you have learned about the different Types of Speech Context,
Speech Styles, Speech Acts, and how to use the Types of Communicative Strategies
which are crucial in building in the communication process.

In any conversation, different styles of expressions are appropriate in different

situations. We can go from the formal to the informal, the written to the spoken, from
technical language (or jargon) to slang.

Although we communicate with one another, we interact based on a specific Speech

Context. A speaker cannot whisper a Speech to an audience, nor can we talk as
though a Public Speaker at the person giving the job interview. Communication is
divided in to certain levels based on the number of participants in the process. The
level of communication dictates the types of Speech Style and Speech Acts to be used
in a Communicative Strategy.

Speech Styles vary with the purpose of Communication and the speech context.
Intimate and Casual are used in Dyadic Communication, Consultative may be used for
group discussion, Formal and Frozen may be used with public communication.

Speech Acts are helpful in elaborating meaning of what is being said. For a
Locutionary act to make sense, the same meaning should be shared by both the
speaker and the listener. Illocutionary act embodies the speaker’s intention,
Perlocutionary act is meant to elicit a response from the listener.

All the above mentioned are crucial in building a Communicative Strategy—a way, a
plan, a means—of sharing information to achieve a purpose

One’s communicative competence is enhanced when all the above-mentioned are

taken into consideration and the Communicative Strategies are used.

The shift in speech context, speech style, speech act, and communicative strategy
affect language form, duration of interaction, and relationship of speaker.

I. Language Forms

Language form is the “How we say it” in a communication. It includes the sentence
structure, grammar, and even word endings. It also has something to do with the
manner in which you say something rather than what you say. In communicating with
someone, our language forms vary when there is a shift in speech context, speech
style, speech act, and communicative strategy.

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 II. Duration of Interaction

The use of time as a communicative channel can be a powerful force during an

interaction. Some recognizable types of interaction that shows time/duration are as
follows:
a. Regulating Interaction- When the speaker is opening the floor for a response,
they will pause. However, when no response is desired, the speaker will talk a
faster pace with minimal pauses.
b. Expressing Intimacy- As relationships become more intimate; certain changes
are made to accommodate the new relationship status. Some of the changes
that are made include lengthening the time spent on mutual gazes, increasing
the amount of time doing tasks for or with the other person and planning for
the future by making plans to spend more time together (Patterson, 1990).
c. Effect Management- The onset of powerful emotions can cause a stronger effect,
ranging from joy to sorrow or even to embarrassment. Some of the behaviors
associated with negative effects include decreased time of gaze and awkwardly
long pauses during conversations (Edelman &Iwawaki, 1987).
d. Evoking Emotions- Time can be used to evoke emotions in an interpersonal
relationship by communicating the value of the relationship. When someone
who you have a close relationship with is late, you may not take it personally.
However, if it is a meeting with a total stranger, their disrespect for the value of
your time may be taken personally.

III. Relationship of Speaker

When we communicate, we don’t simply speak words, we meet people in the

eye, and the communication becomes part of the building of relationship or one
another. However, communication varies depending on the relationship of the speaker
and the listener. For instance, when an interviewer interviews an interviewee in a job
hiring situation, the level of formality in the communicative situation is formal as we
expect intense preparation on both sides.

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 Communicative Competence
Lesson
Strategies in Various Speech
3
(Week 3) Situations

Being able to use any of the communicative strategies makes certain not only the
achievement of the Speech Purpose but also the enrichment of the communication
experience for both Speaker and Listener. Communicative Strategies when used by
the Speaker allow for the adjustment of the Message and its Delivery.

Speech communication, in its simplest form, consists of a sender, a message and a

recipient. The speaker and sender are synonymous. The speaker is the initiator
of communication. Effective speakers are those who can most clearly deliver their
message to their recipients.

There will come a time when conversation becomes a challenge to the speaker during
an uncontrollable situation. In this case, the speaker should remember his or her
roles and responsibilities to have a smooth-sailing communication process.

THE SPEAKER’S ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Throughout the conversation, not only does the speaker have their own set of
responsibilities, but the listener as well. Listening is an essential key in
communication. Without effective listening, one will not be able to understand
another’s point of view, or fully understand a conversation. With the cooperation of
both parties, successful communication should take place.
The speaker is the initiator of the communication. Effective speakers are those who
can most clearly deliver their message to their recipients.
Effective communication involves effective speaking and active listening. Verbal
exchanges in discussions are not sufficient in relaying messages. Other factors include
variation of tones and the use of non-verbal cues as discussed in the First Quarter.
Breaking the monotony is vital in effective communication. Speaking in the same tone
and maintaining the same face throughout the conversation may sound a bit boring to
the listener. Therefore, the speaker should vary the tone depending on the message
conveyed and the associated emotion.
The speaker and the listener have active and passive roles to play in communication.
They should work together, making use of non-verbal cues to ensure that the
discussion is productive.
I. TIPS FOR THE SPEAKERS

When speaking to anybody, paying attention not just to your words but also to how
the overall conversation is proceeding may help you convey your message effectively.
The following tips can be helpful to keep in mind when you are the “speaker”.
 Speak attentively. Just as one listens attentively, one should also speak in the
same manner, maintaining appropriate and direct eye contact and looking for
body signals that indicate that the other person is engaged. If the listener seems
disengaged, you may need to modify your approach and pause to check if you
are making sense.
 Phrase meaningful questions. One way to shorten a conversation is to ask
questions that can be answered by “yes” or “no”. Consider asking open-ended
questions, as these may elicit more helpful, accurate information that may help
you understand the listener’s perspective.

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  Avoid monologues. Stick to the point and avoid overly lengthy or repetitive
statements. We sometimes repeat ourselves when we feel we have not been
understood. Instead of repetition, which may seem condescending, pause and
allow the listener to clarify and reflect on what they hear from you.
 Accept silence. Sometimes one of the best ways to make a point is to pause or
leave a period of silence after speaking. This can allow you and the listener to
digest what has been said.
 Do not cross-examine. Avoid firing questions at the listener when attempting
to gather information during a conversation. Tact and diplomacy express
respect and may be far better means for learning what you need to know.

II. TIPS FOR THE LISTENERS

Many people listen to others but only in the narrowest sense. Good listening skills
involve gaining a clear understanding of what is being said as well as what is intended
by the speaker. The following tips may be helpful when you are in the role of a
“listener”.
 Listen attentively. Maintain good eye contact with the worker and
acknowledge that you are hearing them.
 Do not interrupt. It is difficult to hear when you are talking yourself. It is
natural to feel that you want to ‘fix’ things. The problem is that you have not
heard what the entire person needs to say.
 Clarify what you hear. Regularly summarize or clarify your understanding of
what is being said. This may help you make sure that you are obtaining the
correct message.
 Reflect on what you hear. This differs from clarification. Reflection involves
showing the speaker that you are aware of or understand what they are feeling.
You hold up a metaphorical mirror so the speaker can see clearly what he or
she is saying and what reaction it is eliciting.