Like playing a game of charades, using the body to communicate to my partner was undoubtedly troubling. Feeling foolish and useless with symbolic language, this assignment proved every difficult because any message I attempted to convey was misinterpreted. It is astonishing noting the changes in my partner as he tried to communicate back to me. First, trying to speak at louder volumes, as if that would somehow change my message, then speaking very slowly with the same hopes. Soon the conversational questions were changed to simply "Yes and No" questions that I could answer easily. Should my partner and I represent different cultures, his culture was easily holding an advantage because their ability to express themselves over a longer distance would be more effective. If an entire culture was created based on exclusion of symbolic language, expressing and conveying messages would be no issue. It's long distance and group communication that would be hindered and ineffective without using vocal or written means of communication. I'd imagine that should these two groups collide, they would think poorly of each other and uphold their means of communication as the superior. The speaking culture would most likely speak slower and louder to stress their points, to no success. Since I travel to Mexico 3 times a year with my church, and I speak little to no Spanish, the hand gestures and slow speaking are my means of communication. Too different languages with no connections rely heavily on using the body to express yourself.
Speaking was no problem for me, this second portion of the experiment actually favored my type of voice and tone. Their initial reaction was simply to listen, but soon they realized I was keeping my hands still, not using my usual hand gestures and tone change to emphasize my points. I believe that our culture, especially socially has embedded the combination of both forms of communication. Seldom do people talk without using their hands, at this point it simply feels natural. The ability to explain ourselves through formal language is very powerful and advantageous because if both sides understand the language, there will be no misunderstandings. The ability to read body language seems to be vital in understanding emotion within another being. Claiming they are comfortable in a chair while constantly readjusting themselves in the chair is a good example of the usefulness of reading body language. Two ways to confirm somebody's thoughts is very powerful. The only time that inability to read body language would be helpful is if one is scared of Mimes, you would not be able to read their movements and therefore have nothing to be scared about!
Hello David,
ReplyDeleteNicely done Essay! I like how you compared the first part of the experiment to the game of charades. It is exactly what that was. I never played charades so it found that experiment to be difficult. I have a 2 month old son. He doesn't speak but he does use his vocals to hum, grunt, and yell. He also uses a lot of hand signals and movements. As a new mother I found it difficult to know what he wanted. After a month passed, I now am an expert. I know when he's hungry, needs a diaper change, is hot or cold, or just needs attention and wants to be held. All without using language. However this is because I spend day and night with him. When I tried the experiment with a friend it was really difficult.
Great opening description of Part A and good analysis and discussion of the implications this has on cultural interaction. I was interested in your emphasis on how the use of symbolic language (spoken language) allows for long distance communication, where sign language requires closer interaction. This was amplified with the invention of written language, and extension of symbolic language which continues this trend granting benefits to those cultures that have adapted in this fashion.
ReplyDeleteWith regard to your description of Part B: So your partners noticed that you weren't using body language, but what was their reaction to this? Did they alter their way of communicating? Express frustration? Discomfort? Some students have even experienced their partners getting angry during this part of the experiment, so I'm curious about how your partners actually responded. It is valuable to ask "why?".
Can you think of a group of people who are unable to read body language?
Well, can't say there were too many mimes in our evolutionary history. :-) I think the easy solution there is to walk away. But are there any situations where reading body language might mislead you? Hint: Do all cultures use the same system of body language?