ORAL

COMMUNICATION IN
CONTEXT
MARK JOEL B. DE ASIS, LPT.
Let’s have a recap!
 Speech style is the
brushstroke that
paints the canvas of
communication,
where every nuance
and hue reveals not
just words, but the
essence of the
speaker's soul.
VOCABULARIES
IMPACT - refers to the effect, influence, or consequence that an action, event, or phenomenon has on a person, a
group, a system, or the environment

RELATIONSHIPS- denote the connections, associations, or bonds between individuals, groups, or

entities

RAPPORT - refers to a close and harmonious relationship or connection characterized by mutual

understanding, trust, empathy, and a sense of ease in communication.

CASE STUDY - is an in-depth, detailed examination and analysis of a specific subject,

situation, or phenomenon within its real-life context.

NORMS – refers to established, accepted, and expected patterns of behavior, attitudes,

beliefs, or actions within a particular society, culture, or group.
PICTURE PROMT ACTIVITY
Determine what speech style is being featured on the given image.
Next point of discussion:

The Impact of Speech Styles

on Interpersonal Communication
and Relationships.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the session, the students

will be able to:

- Explain the Impact of Speech

Styles on Interpersonal
Communication and
Relationships
- Value the importance of the
types of speech style through
sharing insights
- Write an analysis on case studies
related to speech styles
Visual Representation of the Topic:

SPEECH INTERPERSONAL
STYLES COMMUNICATION
- Intimate IMPACT/ - Dyadic
INFLUENCE
- Casual - Small Group
- Consultative - Public
- Formal - Mass
- Frozen
 Variations in Speech Styles across Cultures

Speech styles can vary significantly across cultures and contexts due to the
influence of:

cultural norms societal values historical linguistic communication

backgrounds intricacies customs
AN OFFER OF COFFEE: What does it really mean?
Impression No. 1 Impression No. 2
An offer of coffee In some cultures
is just an act of the an offer of coffee
host's kindness or after a meal is
even an invitation generally
to the guests to recognized as a
stay a little bit polite way to
longer than they indicate to the
had intended. guests that they
ought to leave
soon if they do not
wish to outstay
their welcome.

“If interactants from different cultural backgrounds are unaware of the differences in their
respective mental sets, misunderstandings are likely to occur.”
- Žegarac & Pennington (2000)
VARIATIONS IN SPEECH STYLE

Hierarchy and Direct vs.

Formality vs. Politeness and
Power Indirect
Informality Indirectness
Dynamics Communication

Use of
Non-verbal Context
Honorifics and
Communication Sensitivity
Titles
 Some cultures emphasize formal speech
Formality styles, using polite and respectful
language in various social and
vs. professional settings. In contrast, other
cultures may adopt a more informal
Informality: approach, where familiarity and casual
language are acceptable and even
preferred in many interactions.
 Formality vs. Informality:

Scenario 1 (Formal): Scenario 2 (Informal):

In Japanese culture, formal speech styles are essential, In Australian culture, informal speech styles are prevalent
especially when addressing superiors or clients. Using among peers and close acquaintances. Conversations often
honorifics and polite expressions like "desu" or "masu" is include casual language, and the use of first names is
common to show respect and maintain a formal tone. common even in professional settings.
 Certain cultures have speech styles that
Hierarchy reflect hierarchical social structures, with
and Power distinct language registers for addressing
individuals based on their status, age, or
Dynamics position. In contrast, other cultures may
prioritize egalitarianism and use
language that minimizes distinctions in
status or power, promoting a more
equalitarian communication style.
 Hierarchy and Power Dynamics

Scenario 1 (Hierarchy): Scenario 2 (Equality):

In South Korean culture, respecting hierarchy is vital. In Scandinavian cultures like Sweden, there's a flatter
Addressing someone older or in a higher position with power structure. Communication tends to be egalitarian,
proper honorifics like "sunbae" (senior) or "nuna" (older and addressing individuals by their first names regardless
sister) is crucial to maintain social harmony and respect. of their position is the norm.
 Some cultures value direct and
explicit communication, where
conveying thoughts and intentions
Direct vs. clearly is highly encouraged. Other
Indirect cultures may prefer indirect
Communication communication, relying on subtle
cues, non-verbal signals, or implied
meanings to convey messages,
often to maintain harmony or avoid
confrontation.
 Direct vs. Indirect Communication

Scenario 1 (Direct): Scenario 2 (Indirect):

In German culture, direct and explicit communication is In Japanese culture, indirect communication is often
valued. People appreciate straightforwardness and preferred, particularly when conveying negative feedback
expect clear, unambiguous language in both personal or disagreeing. Expressing disagreement directly may be
and professional interactions. seen as confrontational or impolite.
 Politeness strategies can vary, with
some cultures placing a strong
emphasis on formal expressions,
Politeness honorifics, and deferential language
vs. to demonstrate respect and
courtesy. In contrast, cultures with a
Indirectness more direct communication style
might prioritize clarity and brevity
over elaborate expressions of
politeness.
 Politeness and Indirectness

Scenario 1 (Politeness): Scenario 2 (Directness):

In Thai culture, a significant emphasis is placed on In Israeli culture, communication tends to be more direct
politeness and using honorifics. People often use formal and straightforward. People often express their opinions
language and honorifics to show respect, particularly to clearly without excessive use of formalities or indirect
elders or in official settings. language.
 Non-verbal cues, such as
gestures, facial expressions,
and body language, can
Non-Verbal significantly vary in meaning
Communication and interpretation across
different cultures, impacting
speech style and overall
communication dynamics.
 Non-Verbal Communication

Scenario 1 (Non-verbal cues): Scenario 2 (Subtle cues):

In Italian culture, non-verbal communication is highly In Japanese culture, subtle non-verbal cues like
expressive. Hand gestures, facial expressions, and body maintaining eye contact and slight head bows are essential
language play a significant role in conveying emotions to convey respect, attentiveness, and agreement during
and intentions during conversations. conversations.
 Some cultures place a high value on
context awareness and adjust
speech styles based on the specific
Context situation, relationship, or
environment. Other cultures may
Sensitivity maintain a consistent speech style
irrespective of the context,
emphasizing clarity and
straightforwardness.
 Context Sensitivity
Scenario 1 (Formal vs. Informal Context):
• Formal Context: In a job interview in the United States, individuals
often employ a formal speech style, demonstrating professionalism
and respect for the setting, using titles and formal language.
• Informal Context: During a friendly gathering with colleagues after
work, the communication style tends to shift to a more informal tone,
allowing for casual language and camaraderie.
Scenario 2 (Adapting to the Audience):
• Academic Presentation: When delivering a research
presentation at a conference, individuals might adopt a formal,
structured speech style to convey their findings clearly and
professionally.
• Classroom Discussion: In a classroom setting, students may
use a slightly more formal but interactive speech style,
showing respect for the teacher and engaging with their peers.
 The use of honorifics or titles to address
individuals can differ across cultures, with
some cultures placing great importance
Use of on titles as a sign of respect and others
Honorifics adopting a more egalitarian approach.
Understanding these variations is
and Titles essential for effective cross-cultural
communication, allowing individuals to
adapt their speech styles appropriately in
diverse cultural and contextual settings.
 Use of Honorifics and Titles
Scenario 2 (Professional Setting):
Scenario 1 (Respect for Elders):
In a Japanese workplace, employees
In Korean culture, a younger individual typically use honorifics when
addressing an older person (e.g., addressing their supervisors or
older brother) would use the honorific colleagues, demonstrating respect
"hyung" or "oppa" to show respect and and acknowledging the hierarchical
acknowledge the age and seniority. structure of the organization (e.g.,
using "san" after the name).
Scenario 3 (Educational Environment):
In a university setting in many cultures,
students often address their professors
with academic titles such as "Dr." or
"Professor" followed by the last name,
showcasing respect for their position and
expertise.
 Formality vs. Informality
Hierarchy and Power Dynamics
Direct vs. Indirect Communication
VARIATIONS
IN SPEECH Politeness and Indirectness
STYLE Non-verbal Communication
Context Sensitivity
Use of Honorifics and Titles
Speech styles play a significant role in shaping how a speaker and
their message are perceived by the audience. The way individuals
choose to communicate, the level of formality, the use of
appropriate language, and the tonal nuances all contribute to how
they are perceived. Here's an exploration of how speech styles
influence perceptions:

PROFESSIONALISM AUTHENTICITY AND CONFIDENCE AND RESPECT AND EMOTIONAL

AND CREDIBILITY RELATABILITY AUTHORITY POLITENESS CONNECTION AND
EMPATHY
 QUESTION TO PONDER
Why do you think it is important to learn about the speech style variations?
 Case Scenario: Speech Style Variation Challenges in a Team Project
Imagine a scenario at a prestigious international university where a
diverse group of graduate students from different countries and academic
backgrounds come together for a collaborative research project. The team
comprises individuals from countries such as Japan, France, Brazil, India, and
the United States. As the project progresses, the team encounters challenges
related to speech style variations. The Brazilian and French team members are
accustomed to more expressive and elaborate communication styles, while the
Japanese member is more reserved and tends to use formal language. The
American team member is somewhere in between, using a direct yet friendly
approach. These differences in speech styles lead to misunderstandings
regarding the depth of commitment and ideas each member brings to the
project, impacting the collaboration and progress of the research.
Guide Question:
How can the team address the speech style variations
effectively to improve communication, collaboration, and
the overall success of the research project?

(Discuss specific strategies and approaches that can help bridge the gap
in communication styles and ensure a productive working relationship.)