LANGUAGE EXPERIMENT

Part 1:

In this experiment, I experienced firsthand the challenges of communicating without relying on symbolic language. I found myself feeling restricted and frustrated, unable to express my ideas with clarity. My partner and I were talking about a situation we both had knowledge about so she kept asking me questions she kind of knew the answer to, otherwise I couldn't explain anything I wanted to say. My partner struggled to understand me, and the conversation felt strained. It made her feel like she was talking to herself, and it made me feel frustrated because I couldn't speak! We got tired of the conversation pretty quick and awkwardly waited for the 15 minutes to be over. This experience made me realize how much we rely on language to connect with others and share our thoughts.

In a scenario where one person represents a different culture, the person with a more developed language has a significant advantage. They can express ideas and share information instantly to the other person. They might feel curious to figure out what the other culture is trying to communicate, superior, or confused because they're not getting a clear reply. In our culture I think my experience could be in a way similar to how my sister Lucero feels. She has Down Syndrome and her vocabulary is limited. When communicating with her, I often feel like I have the power in the conversation, as I use closed-ended questions to help her communicate her thoughts. By now I can identify the words she uses on a daily basis, but she's learning new words every day, which makes our communication more effective.

Part 2:

When we removed physical embellishments from our conversation, the experiment became even more challenging. I could only sustain it for 13 minutes before feeling bored and restricted. As an expressive person who uses hand gestures frequently, not being able to do so was unnatural for me. My partner perceived me as uninterested and distant, which was not my intention. This experience highlights the importance of non-verbal cues in communication, as they can convey emotions and help build connections with others.

Body language plays a crucial role in our ability to communicate effectively. By using gestures and facial expressions, we can show our genuine instant reactions and emphasize our emotions. However, when our body language does not align with our spoken language, we may be perceived as untruthful, unapproachable or indifferent. This demonstrates the importance of honesty in communication. When communicating with individuals from a different cultural or linguistic background, not reading body language can help avoid misunderstandings. Unfamiliarity with nonverbal cues can lead to misinterpretation, so avoiding them can ensure that messages are conveyed more accurately. Individuals with visual impairments face unique challenges when it comes to reading body language. When communicating with people from a different cultural or linguistic background, not reading body language can help avoid misunderstandings. Unfamiliarity with nonverbal cues, gestures and signs can lead to misinterpretation. Another situation could be where clarity and accuracy are crucial, such as in military operations or flight navigation, avoiding non-verbal cues can be beneficial.

Part 3:

I believe that using written language would have made the experiment easier and more effective. Written language would've allowed me to share my ideas and have a better reply to my partners questions even if it was short. It would take us longer to communicate but it would provide me an opportunity for reflection before sharing my thoughts. The advantages of written language are many, it has enabled cultures to grow and share ideas across time and distance. It has facilitated the exchange of knowledge, traditions, and values between cultures and individuals. Ultimately, written language has made it easier for people to do business world-wide and learn from each other's experiences. It has also enabled instant global communication through the internet and social media.