COMMUNICATION IN MULTICULTURAL CONTEXTS

• have to pay attention to non-verbal elements; gestures have different meanings based on cultural
context

• language use in terms of word choice is a significant element in making meaningful connections and
fostering harmonious understanding in the community

• word has a denotative meaning based on dictionary; literal meaning; ex. Wicked- villain; bad
character

• word has connotative meaning based on fluid contexts of its uses; commonly understood cultural or
emotional association (pleasing or displeasing emotional connection); describing roller coaster ride as
wicked
• Wicked is a launched steel
roller coaster located at
Lagoon Amusement Park in
Farmington, Utah. It opened
on June 1, 2007.

• Is it capable of harming
people?
 …MULTICULTURAL CONTEXT
• Slang- is very informal language or specific words used by a particular group of people.
• "Tea." = "gossip."  So if you "spill tea" about someone, you're talking behind their back.
• "Beat." = applying make-up as in "I gotta go beat my face“
• ."Snatched." = It means you look good aka you're "looking snatched".
• "Basic." = anything mainstream is basic.  Pumpkin spice lattes, a tattoo of a Chinese character, and
having dinner at the Cheesecake Factory could all be described as "basic.“
• "G.O.A.T." = "Greatest Of All Time"."Extra" = over the top."Gucci." = good.
• "Keep it 100." = "keep it real.“
• "Ratchet." = someone who's obnoxious, rude, or trashy.
• “Bae" = "Before Anyone Else" aka that special someone.

Read More: Top Ten Slang Words Of 2019 | https://999ktdy.com/top-ten-slang-words-too-look-out-for-in-2019/?

• Euphemisms and double speak- are choices in language use that hide certain truths.
• Euphemism – makes a concept more acceptable; for lingering illness- use “pain management”
instead of “inevitability of death”
• Doublespeak – “slow learner” instead of “poor retention” or “difficulty of understanding” or “dull”
WRITING A RELEVANT RESPONSE
• A response is one that asserts an attitude or a view towards a specific topic.
• Features of an effective and relevant response
• Begin with a relevant topic sentence
• Make reference to the subject of response
• Avoid starting with general statement
• Identify specific channel of communication
• Identify writer’s attitude toward a specific context
• Must be supported by relevant ideas (narration, description, or illustration of personal and concrete
experiences and/or observation of the world around you
 Activity 3
Watching video – Pinoy English
Reading Text
Using English: It’s More Fun in the
Philippines
(to be posted in GC)
 L YZ I N G CO M M U N I C A TI O N
A N A
L E S , P R O C E S S A N D E TH I C S
PRINC IP
F EC T I V E C O M M U N I C A T I O N
OF E F ION C A T
- PURPO SIV E C OM MU NI
COMM 1100
ANALYZING COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLES, PROCESS
AND ETHICS OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
Speech is a verbal communication. To develop an effective speech, the following should be
considered:
Audience – a group whose backgrounds, concerns and interests may shape the way a
message is received
Context – conditions that shape the contents of the message such as significant period,
or the sender’s background and experiences
Purpose – a concrete set of objectives or reasons for addressing a specific audience in a
given context
ETHICAL USE OF LANGUAGE
Considering the ethics in communication
-anticipating and weighing the effects of one’s message on an audience
-using information that come from credible, verifiable, and relevant sources
-communicating without the intention to harm others
-being careful, attentive and inclusive through the choice of words and tone.
-looking at differences as a way to understand each other
-never silences, and welcomes disagreements as opportunities for knowing others in
more respectful and thoughtful manner
LANGUAGE REGISTER
• Spoken is conversational; informal
• Written is more formal
• Register refers to the style and degrees of formality that is used depending on our communication
contexts. Ex. Medical abstracts is different from the language in legal documents; conversions with
friends vs. formal speech in front of an academic community. This is categorized as:
• Formal register – more appropriate for professional writing and letters to a boss or a stranger
• Informal register- (casual or intimate) conversational and appropriate when writing to friends and people
known very well
• Neutral register – non-emotional and sticks to facts; most appropriate for technical writing
 COM M U N I CA T I N G I N
U RA L S E TT I N G S
MULTICULT ATION
- PURPO SIV E C OM MU NIC
COMM 1100
CULTURE SHAPES OUR WAY OF COMMUNICATION
• “All that we consider ‘good human relations’ comes from the culture. What is a good person?
One who has pakikisama (good social relations), pakiramdam (sensitivity to other’s needs),
pakikipagkapwa-tao (consideration to others)…Our customs, our crafts, our arts, the way we
do things, the way we used to do things-all can be discovery, intensely interesting…” -Prof.
Doreen G. Fernandez- Literature and communication

• Culture- is a way of life; is cultivated and deepened in a community of people who share
similar beliefs, values, behaviors, and goals; plays a significant role in the way communication
is shaped and achieved; forms the rules and norms that make communication either an easy
task or truly a complex process.
WRITING A MAIN IDEA
• Writing a main idea asserts your attitude, view, or opinion on a specific topic based on
your knowledge, experiences, beliefs, and/or observation

• Main idea- intended for written piece that is longer than a paragraph or two; expressed
as a complete sentence with a specific topic and a controlling idea; it is also known as
thesis statement; it is expressed as a complete sentence with a specific topic and
controlling idea
MAIN IDEA
• “Food as Language” by Doreen G. Fernandez
This [food] is a language of many nuances and meanings overt and hidden, non-
verbal and, therefore, eloquent, and Filipinos use it well.
Main idea (specific topic)- food- defined as” a language of many nuances and
meanings.” Furthermore, these meanings are described as “overt and hidden, non-verbal
and, therefore, eloquent.” Finally, the main idea reveals the positive attitude of the writer by
asserting that “Filipinos use it well.”
-know the specific topic that you are writing and the relevant idea insight you want to
raise.
 “Food is an important part of life”

- Its insight is very general and obvious to justify an engaging and compelling discussion.
Revision:
Sharing food during a wake is a Filipino custom that demonstrates its power to
heal and bind in times of difficulties.”
- Specific topic - “Sharing food during a wake”; more specific- “Filipino custom”; writer’s specific
attitude toward the subject as one that- “asserts its power to heal and bind in times of difficulties.”
 WRITING THE REACTION PAPER
• Writing a reaction is like having a conversation with some texts you have just read or
engaging in an internal conversation as you encounter a vivid experience; be attentive to the
subject of your reaction ; focusing on your sensory experiences and though processes allow
you to develop an insightful reaction to the topic of your paper; sense of attention and
openness may lead to greater sense of understanding of topic.
• A reaction paper illustrates one’s thoughts, feelings, and attitude toward a specific experience.
• Steps in writing the reaction paper
• Identify the subject and corresponding idea about it that will be focus of your reaction ’What feeling and
insight appealed to you
• Apply the effort to understand where your reaction comes from
• Write your reaction as an effective main idea or thesis statement.
…REACTION PAPER
• Sample thesis statements
• Although I agree that climate change is a serious issue worth examining. I feel confused and
helpless when it comes to taking of the environment

• Remember to acknowledge the original idea that are reacting to; acknowledge the writer
as well to maintain a formal language register for this kind of academic task.
• I like Doreen Fernandez’s insight in her essay “Food as Language” that homemade gift shows personal
regard for someone, because I delight in making my own gifts to special friends.
FEATURES OF A REACTION PAPER

• A reaction paper illustrates one’s thoughts, feelings, and attitude toward a specific
experience.
(Sample of reading and reaction paper will be discussed in the following meeting)
SOME GUIDE QUESTIONS IN GIVING FEEDBACK ON
REACTION PAPER
• Is there a concrete and specific subject that the essay reacts to?
• Is the main reaction clear and easy to understand? Is it stated in one complete
sentence?

• Does the essay illustrate concrete and relevant support to explain the reaction?
• Is the language in reaction paper respectful and fair?
• Is the language appropriate for an academic task?
• Is the explanation of the reaction developed consistently until the end?
SOURCES

• C. SUAREZ, ET.AL. 20 . PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION IN ENGLISH