Questions to Ponder

1. What is the difference between spoken and written language?

2. What are the ways in choosing appropriate language?

Introduction

In module 2 you learned the communication-culture relationship, different dimensions of culture,

intercultural communication and barriers to intercultural communication. In here, you will learn how to be
culturally sensitive and competent. This will also allow you to understand how you will use language to accept
differences and to be flexible and tolerant of ways of doing things which might be different to yours.

LESSON 1: VARIETIES & REGISTERS OF SPOKEN AND WRITTEN LANGUAGE

Variety of language is a specific set of “linguistic items” or “Human speech Patterns” which can be
associated with external factors such as a geographical area or social group. The examples for the varieties of
language are Standard English and British English. On the other hand, register of language is a variety of a
language used for a particular purpose of in a particular setting. This is the level of usage as determined by
degree of formality, and your choice of vocabulary, pronunciation, and syntax according to the communicative
purpose, social context and standing of the user. Registers can simply be defined as variations of the language
according to its use
You can learn a lot of cultural features but it does not necessarily teach you sensitivity and awareness
or even how to behave in certain situations. The fifth language skill is cultural competence. It will teach you
how to use appropriate language in order to understand and appreciate the values and unique qualities of
other cultures.
Cultural Sensitivity is the awareness that people have varying cultures and that the similarities and
differences of these cultures affect the value, behaviour and learning of people. This is an attitude and way of
behaving in which you are aware and acknowledge cultural differences.
If you will migrate to another country, you have to be aware of the existence of the similarities and
differences of their culture and your own culture. However, being aware is not enough since you also have to
use that knowledge to adapt to the host culture in order to avoid misunderstanding and conflict. Being culturally
sensitive and competent will lessen the culture shock that you will feel. This will enable you to be mentally and
psychologically ready in accepting the existing differences between your culture and the host culture. In
addition to this, being culturally competent and sensitive will lessen the anxiety that you will feel while
interacting or working with people of other cultures.
LESSON 2: DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SPOKEN AND WRITTEN LANGUAGE

Spoken Language Written Language

Presupposes the presence of an interlocutor Presupposes the absence of interlocutor

Mostly maintained in the form of dialogue Mostly maintained in the form of monologue
Utilizes the human voice and all kinds of More carefully organized and more
gestures explanatory
Spontaneous but momentary (vanishes after Able to live forever with the idea it expresses
having fulfilled its purpose)
Cannot be detached from the user of it. Can be detached and objectively looked at (
has an opportunity to correct and improve
what has been put on paper)
 In addition to this, the spoken language uses filler words or “fill ups” Fill-ups are words without any
significant meaning or used to fill silence when you are speaking; like totally, you know, uh, uhm, as well, and
all, so to say. On the contrary, written language does not make use of filler words.

Forms/Types of Spoken and Written Communication

SPOKEN WRITTEN
Face-to-face Reports
Telephone Communication Memo
Dictating Letters Emails
Group Discussions Fax Messages
Meetings Business Correspondence
Speech Illustrations
Virtual Conferencing Notices etc.

LESSON 3: VARIETIES OF SPOKEN LANGUAGE

1. Interactional - having a social function. This makes use of informal speech which aims to develop
relationships between interlocutors.

Example:
A:Hi! How are you?
B: I‟m good. You?
A: I‟m okay.

In the above conversation, the speakers exchange personal information and use familiar expressions to
keep the talk going. Since the aim is to develop relationships, the speakers use informal language to establish
comfortable atmosphere.

2. Referential - providing the listener some information referring to objects or abstract concepts. The
speaker assumes that the listener has knowledge on the matter at hand. In return, the listener has to
know the context before they can understand the references.

Example: The mobile phone unit has been sent via door-to-door at 10 o‟clock. Please notify our office once you
have received it.

In the above example, the listener is assumed to know that a mobile phone unit is expected to be
delivered. Also, the listener must know what a door-to-door delivery service is, and that the listener must know
whether 10am or 10pm is intended.

3. Expressive – showing the speaker‟s judgments or feelings about a person, event, or situation.

Example: It‟s truly unbelievable! How could she do such a terrible thing?

Here, the speaker uses emotive words which make the sentence subjective. Such emotive words may
either be adjectives or adverbs.

4. Transactional – getting information or making a deal. It has a specific purpose and is driven by needs
and wants rather that sociability. Unlike interactional language transactional spoken language has its
 intention to achieve a give-and-take relationship between the speaker and the listener. Here, a specific
query is given a specific answer.

Example: A. May I know how much this parcel costs?

B. You can give me PHP100.00.

5. Phatic – Engaging in small, plain talk. The speaker and listener use minimal amount of language to
engage in the conversation. This spoken language variety poses familiarity of topic and context
between the speaker and the listener.

Example: A. Coffee?

B. Yes, black.

LESSON 4: VARIETIES OF WRITTEN LANGUAGE

The most striking difference between the spoken and the written language is in the vocabulary used.
There are words and phrases typically colloquial and on the other hand bookish.

Colloquial Neutral Literary

Daddy father Parent
Get out Go away Retire
Go on continue Proceed
Guys friends comrades

LESSON 5: WAYS ON HOW TO CHOOSE APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE

“Calling an illegal alien an undocumented immigrants is like calling a drug dealer an undocumented
pharmacist” – Anon.

The choice of words is a powerful strategy in communication. When Confucius said, “when words lose
their meaning, people lose their freedom” the control of language is an essential tool for an engaging and
responsive communication. Hence, cultural appropriation of language is conforming to a culture‟s acceptable
expressions and standards of behaviour and thoughts. This is referred to as “political correctness”. However,
“political correctness” is not about being right; it is more being respectful and considerate. Being political
correct means that you avoid expressions and actions that may exclude, marginalize, or offend a particular
group of people. The term first became popular during the 1970‟s and 1980‟s.

1. Notice and reflects on disrespectful language, thoughts, and actions. If you educate yourself
and monitor your thoughts, this help control and change your language and behaviors. People may
interprets and draw inferences from the language you use. When you are interacting with people,
you want to be an open, respectful, and informed individual instead of a careless, disrespectful
person. As much as possible, avoid racist, sexist, homophobic jokes, etc. because there are always
hurtful and offending.

2. Respect people of different races. Recognize racist roots of words, whether they are as
inflammatory as the n-word or as subtle as referring to immigrants as illegal‟s. Many common
expressions have roots in discrimination caused by the cultural arrogance and a lack of exposure to
cultural diversity. Terms such as “Chinese auction”, Indian giver”, “Jew down” (negotiate), and “gyp”
 ( a bad deal, from the derogatory term “Gypsy” for the Roma) are racist. Many common words also
have implicit discrimination in them and are thus considered harmful. For example, words such as
“gypsy” and “oriental” are derogatory instead use “Roma” for “gypsy” or “Asian” for “oriental”.

3. Use language that includes LGBTQIA+ people. Some people are bisexual, transgender, asexual,
genderfluid, etc. and they deserve respect and inclusion. Work on substituting gender-neutral
language to include people of different sexual orientation and gender identities. Ask “Do you have
any partners?” rather that “Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?” Respect gender identities. There
are more than two genders, and agender, gender fluid, etc. people exist. A person‟s real name is
the name that they accept as the one that matches their gender.

4. Avoid exclusionary, gender-specific language. Gender-specific language can be extremely

harmful. Sexism, or discrimination against a person due to their marginalized gender identity, is
used often and inadvertently. Use gender-neutral job titles when you are not referring to a specific
person. For example, say “chairperson” instead of “chairman”, “firefighter” is preferable to a
“fireman”; a “police officer” includes all genders; and “flight attendant” replaces “steward” and
“stewardess”. Using terms and titles such as “woman „s work” or “secretary” (instead of
“administrative assistant”) is demanding and belittling.

5. Avoid using explicitly religious terms in mixed religious company. Limit the amount of religion
terms in your language, especially when speaking in groups of people. Avoid referencing
“God/god”. Every religious groups has different names for and rules of saying the term. Jews do not
say the name of god, Muslims refer to their god as Allah, and Hindus worship many different gods.

6. Avoid expressions that devalue people with physical or mental disabilities. Some people
prefer identity-first language (“disabled person”) while others prefer person-first language (“person
with a disability”). Words such as “dumb”, “crippled”, “derp”, and “psycho” are examples of
disability-based insults. Use person-first language for most disabilities, such as “person with Down
Syndrome” rather than “Down Syndrome person”. The Autistic, Blind, and Deal communities are a
few notable exceptions (e.g. “autistic persons”).

7. Refrain from language that groups people into one large category. As much as possible, avoid
classifying people together based on religion, sexual orientation, gender, and ethnicity. This kind of
language reduces a person to that one category, when people are so much more. An example
would be when referring to groups by saying this line, the deaf, the gays, the poor, or the Blacks.
Use language that makes a person or group feel like they are equal and included in any situation.

Below is a list of correct words and phrases that help mitigate the negative effect of such expressions
during and after communication.
NON-POLITICALLY CORRECT POLITICALLY CORRECT
Housewife Domestic Engineer
Global Warming Climate Change
Broken Home Dysfunctional Family
Sex Change Gender Reassignment
Unemployed Economically Inactive
Lazy Motivationally Deficient
Wanted Criminal Person of Interest
Care Taker Site Engineer
 Stupid Intellectually Impaired
Immigrant New Comer
Shoplifting Irregular Shopping
Chairman Chairperson
Insane Reality Challenged
Wanted Criminal Person of Interest
Slum Area Economically Deprived Area

Reference:

Agustin, R. et al. (2018). Communication in Multicultural Context. Muntinlupa City: Panday-Lahi Publishing
House, Inc.