week 7: Question 3

Paralinguistics refers to vocal communication that is separate from actual language. This includes factors such as tone of voice, loudness, inflection, and pitch. Consider the powerful effect that tone of voice can have on the meaning of a sentence. When said in a strong tone of voice, listeners might interpret approval and enthusiasm. The same words said in a hesitant tone of voice might convey disapproval and a lack of interest. 

In this day and age most of us chat and text more than talk on the phone. Chat, in general, tends to have very limited additional paralinguistics and at the risk of belittling other users' intelligence. I generally try to express my opinion with words rather ironic pose. I think that is actually quite different from the way most of us speak (like on the phone or in person).

week 7: Question 2

In Vietnamese society, respect is conveyed by the use of special terms of address and certain stylistic devices. But respect is also expressed by nonverbal behavior. A Vietnamese student who sits quietly and listens attentively to the teacher wants to express respect for his teacher. The behavior has been misinterpreted by the American teacher as passivity and non-responsiveness. It is also out of respect that the Vietnamese student avoids eye contact with the teacher when speaking or being spoken to. By American standards, a person acting in this way would appear suspicious, unreliable or mischievous. In Vietnamese culture, looking into somebody's eyes, especially when this person is of a higher status (in age or social or family hierarchy) or of a different gender, usually means a challenge or an expression of deep passion. The proper respectful behavior is to avoid eye contact in talking to someone who is not an equal or the same sex. 

week 7: Question 1

Just about any gesture you can imagine means something different in another culture and simply "being yourself" can cause serious misunderstandings. While visiting Vietnam I noticed people pointing and beckoning friends and workers by holding their hand up and flexing their middle finger - a well-know obscene gesture in Western cultures.

A Korean friend once told me, "Americans' eyes are like lasers piercing through me." To show respect, attentiveness, and interest, North Americans look directly into the other person's eye. But in many cultures it is disrespectful to avert your eyes when someone is speaking to you. Connection and interest are communicated in other ways. 

week 6: Question 1

Ideally we should just be open to new people and ideas so when we meet someone, let them show us who they are. Unfortunately that is not the way things work out. Everybody has that friend who upon meeting somebody at the same time as you that will make comments about them, usually after this individual has left. I do not like when I make these assumptions about others, and laugh when they are made about me. Because you never can tell what another person is going to be like. 

Many of the people I have known, and regularly associate with, for at least a year are to this day surprising me with different aspects of their personalities. You never know what any given person is like. Everybody deserves a chance to show that they are either a good person or not, that they are smart or stupid, and do not worry if you do leap to some kind of conclusion about a person you meet, you are only human after all. That is my excuse. 

week 6: Question 2

It is very interesting to know that although men and women have the same words, but the way they are used gives different meanings. The expressions are similar, but they have different connotations or emotional emphasis. It is just like each group has its own language. 

Women tend to use various superlatives, metaphors, and generalizations when she is upset or frustrated. But she does not expect those words to be taken literally. They are just used to fully express her feelings and ask for particular support. However, men mistakenly take these expressions literally and misunderstand the intended meaning. He thinks she is blaming him and commonly reacts in an unsupportive manner. Then it leads to arguments. At such times, it's important for men to rethink or translate what the have heard and show their caring and support.