Language Blog

Week 7 

Part 1.

            When I engaged into this conversation I didn't think it would be hard or maybe it was the partner I chose, but it was hard just to get a whole conversation in without speaking or writing. All that came to mind was that I felt bad for those people that can’t speak or write it must have been frustrating just trying to make the other person to understand. Doing this assignment opened up my eyes and made me have more patience. What I got from my partner was they just wanted to give up because either I wasn't getting it or vice versa. I could honestly say it was a difficult assignment because no matter how we moved our hands, or air drawing or face movements we couldn't get the full conversation we expected. There was times when words would come out but we would start again and I can tell by her fast movements of her hands she was practically yelling at me without words.

            My goal was for me to be the leader in this conversation since it was my assignment but that didn't go as planned. My partner was mainly in charge because she wanted me to understand what she was trying to say and before starting we chose a topic which was “What did we do today?”. I don’t think we ever changed topics but we did go back and forth getting half of our conversation. Even though there weren't any others included in our conversation I still felt excluded she wanted to be the one sending me her message and for me to understand. So I admit she had the power in this conversation.

            I think both have their positives sides to it because the ones that can speak their whole population understand each other the same with those that can’t speak. Overtime with many years you learn how to make each group (speaking and non speaking) to understand what you’re trying to say until they find it completely easy to communicate whether talking or not. I think both cultures can benefit from each other and learn from one another which happen today. Nowadays people who speak learn how to make others that can speak to understand each other whether its hand and face movements. I think the attitudes that each culture would be curious in wanting to learn how they can do that. I think it would be nothing but positive attitudes from each culture.

Part 2.

            The second half of the assignment is much easier than part one even though I believe body language is important in any conversation. I think what made the conversation interesting was actually choosing a topic to talk about 15 minutes. The topic for the assignment was to talk about what we liked about each other. (15 minutes were a breeze) My partner prefers body language as well due to the fact that I wasn't showing any emotion and felt as if I was lying to her. We both understood each other and got our conversation across to each other without any difficulties.

            I think our language is very important with signs, like the saying goes “actions speak louder than words” I think our hands or just body language would be our actions which I think we can all agree to. You can tell so much about a person when using body language you can tell how they are feeling whether its mad or happy. I think people nowadays can communicate effectively with body language. I think it has more meaning, power and trust but that’s just my opinion.

            Everyone should be able to read body language I think it’s very vital to our everyday life. For example in an interview you want to sell yourself and you can be hiding some potential talent and other have to see it and you want others to see it. That would work best for the manager doing the interview. Maybe even having a lot of friends who have different types or personalities, they could be going to some tough times and they might not tell you but you can see it but how they are acting.

            Its very easy finding someone who doesn't understand body language. Especially when you’re in a group and you secretly want to tell the person across from you something without having to yell but they just don’t understand your body language. There is some benefits to not reading someone’s body language like for one not getting into any trouble. For example when taking a test and your friend trying to give you answers by using body language, better to not understand and not keep looking up so you don’t get a zero. Even then when your friend is giving you answers you probably cant make out what answer he is giving you or for the same question that’s when it could be unreliable.