Last week we were assigned to experiment with language. First I had a conversation for 15 minutes where I was not allowed to use any version of symbolic language. I was only able to use hand signs, body language and non-verbal vocalizations while being unable to use any form of language vocal or in written form. Next we were to communication where I would only use verbal communication. These experiment show the importance of both verbal and non-verbal communication.

I found it difficult to converse without the use of communication. Clear articulation was almost impossible. The converse consisted of several hand gestures. My partner controlled the flow of the conversation while I could mostly answer with a head shake or a thumbs down. I would try to convey questions like a game of charades with little success. I was able to  easy ask for a drink of water by make the hand motion but I could not ask my partners thoughts about Game of Thrones, probably due my terrible hand motions, demonstrating that I as incapable of articulating complex ideas. My partner became frustrated mostly because he sometimes not interpret my hand motions. It came to the point where my partner would ask a series of questions to me and I would reply with a shrug or a head nod.

Being unable to express complicated ideas can be a huge detriment. If my partner and I represented two different cultures my partner’s cultures will be miles ahead in terms of communication. That culture would be able to communicate complex ideas such as battle plans and take my culture out. Our society respects great speakers. Any great leader must also a great speaker. Unfortunately we look down at other individuals who have difficulty communicating with a spoken language. Not only does our culture mocks those who have lisps or are even deaf, but they also to believe them to be stupid which is often not the case. We value well spoken individual sometimes to our detriment.  

When I had to converse with only the spoken communication, our conversation still had trouble flowing. While it was difficult to restrict facial reactions, we breezed through our 15 minute discussion. My partner described our conversation as awkward because I would simply speak in a monotone voice. I believe body movement makes our conversations more lively. Its the human reactions that makes the conversation not the words behind it. This is evident in text messages where there shouldn’t be any human reaction. We instead attempt to put in human emotion through text with emoticons and acronyms for emotions like “lol.”

There are people who have difficulty reading body language, namely people with aspergers syndrome. Since nonverbal communications is what makes us human, people with aspergers often become ostracized. Understand body language helps bring a sense of community which the brings a group closer together. However, reading bodily can also not always be beneficial. People can fake non-verbal cues to convince people of a lie, however, in general being able to understand and read body language is helpful.