Essentials of English communication skills in the contemporary world

1. Essentials of English communication skills in the contemporary world By Dr M A Waheed

2. English and its history: • Language is the like life and also like the human body • It changes all the time. So, such change in the fundamental property of language • A language is the speech of people. • The English language of today has resulted from the mixing of the Germanic dialects spoken by the tribes who came to Britain in three waves.

3. Historical reasons of its development: • 5th and 6th century migration of three Germanic tribes: the Angles, Saxons and Jutes to what is known as England • St.Augustine’s arrival in 597 and conversion of England into Christianity. • 8th, 9th and 10th century Scandinavian invasions. • The Norman Conquest in the 11th century. • The arrival of learning in the 16th century. • The settlement of North America, Australia and South Africa by the English speaking people in the 19th century. And, • Political colonization of India and others in the same country promoted English language.

4. Historical reasons of its development: • The name ‘English’ means the speech of the Anglia; that is the speech of the ‘Angles’ one of three tribes settled in Britain in the beginning of 5th century-then Jute came and settled in Kent and South Hampshire; • Saxons from Holstein settled in south of Thames. Angles from Schleswig settled last in the north of Angles. • The Germanic name of the Angles was Angli which became Engle in old English. • After 1000 AD England was used to denote Germanic people in Britain. The language was known as Englisc that became English.

5. Historical reasons of its development: • 500 years as so it developed into an independent language quite different from any Germanic language spoken on the continent. • With Christian missionaries who spoke Latin and then Greek was added with the revival of learning. • Later, political association with India, the English lived and waked for nearly two centuries with people whose languages descended from the oldest and most elderly branch of all.

6. Historical periods: • The history of English language is divided as, • Old English 450-1100 • Middle English 1100-1500 • Modern English 1500-the present • As Dianna Booher says in her article “Language and Leaders-what is the link between them” that the proper use of language and word choice play a big role in your ability to lead and influence others”. • Poor written and communication can limit your social standing, stall your career, lose a sale derail a project and can destroy relationship.

7. Importance of language in the contemporary world • As we all know that English is inarguably the most dominating language in the world today • Over 500 million people speak as their mother tongue and another 500 or so use it as a second language. It is used in other 100 countries as an official or semi official language. • It is the main world language of books, periodicals, newspaper, websites, advertisements, international conferences, seminars, treaties and office work in general in major parts of the world. • The bottom line is that we cannot ignore English.

8. Importance of language in the contemporary world • One of the chief reasons of its wide spread use and acceptability has been its vast vocabulary. • It is believed that there are over one lakh words and its communication skill in the contemporary world is required as the world day by day grows more competitive. • As technology, educational institutions, companies develop; try to do better quality in their products. • As the society demands better quality of education from colleges, so colleges in turn demand excellence from their faculty, so, for the total quality management, colleges have been after total quality people.

9. That is nothing but skill or excellence in English communication. In order to gain this skill, the first step is thirst. • The skill can be cultivated and developed by rational thinking, time management, learning ability and retention power. • It is just how we maintain health and fitness.

10. Actually, communication is the means of identity, Martin Luther King (1483-1546), German theologian and the leader of the protestant reformation says; “People don’t get along Because they fear each other People fear each other Because they don’t know each other They don’t know each other Because they have no communication with each other”

11. The word communication is derived from communis (Latin) means to share i.e. sharing of ideas, concepts, feelings and emotions. • Communication is the compassion of symbols, gestures and illustrations that accompany either spoken or written. It is an essential activity in the contemporary world.

12. Definitions of communication: • “Communication is the intercourse by words, letters and messages, intercourse of thoughts and opinions. It is the act of making one’s ideas and opinions known to others” -F.G.Meyer • “The behavior that results in an exchange of meaning” -American Management Association • “The communication is a process of passing information and understanding from one person to another” -Keith Davis

13. Research shows that 70% to 80% of the total working time and achievement is based on communication only • An English proverb says, • The path of true love never runs smooth without communication • Communication is a two way process.

14. So, basic elements are, • Sender/encoder/speaker • Receiver/decoder/listener • Message (idea) • Medium (word, verbal or non-verbal • Feedback

15. Primary objectives of communication • Information: Quality of information related to organization to be provided. • Persuasion: Persuade to change people through emotional appeals, logical arguments for modified attitude. • Education and Training: Through experts and trainees, HRD or welfare officer has to look after these things. • Boosting morale: Morale boosting is important to prevent drooping employees. • Advice and counselling: Problems can be solved with advice counselling. Counselling is a specialised form of advice. • Appreciations. • Warming.

16. Types and Patterns of communication: • Spoken communication by electronic and non-electronic devices: • telephones, mobiles, intercom system, and projector cum tape recorder for audio visual presentations.

17. Merits and Demerits of Spoken communication • Merits: It is quick, covers whole world person to person communication, this service brings foreign exchange, spoken skills can be utilised from one country to another in all call centres. • Demerits: Non native speaker can create a problem; accent can create a problem, no documentation.

18. Written communication: • The memo short communication within organization. • Report- database information recorded. • A notice- to inform large number of people. • A telegram-shortest and quickest form of information. • A Fax-it is through telex machine. • E-mail: Electronic mail connected through electronic or computer network. • Advertisements

19. Merits and Demerits of Written communication • Merits: serves as a record, proof etc. • Demerits: Communication may not be confidential

20. Non verbal communication: • Posture • Gesture • Facial expression • Tone • Voice modulation • Appearance

21. Audio visual and multimedia communication • Communicating through graphics: • ‘Graphics’ is a collective form used to refer to tabular columns, tree diagrams pie diagrams etc.

22. Dr. M.A. Waheed • Formerly associate professor of English. • Visiting faculty School of Management Studies, JNTU, Hyderabad. • External research examiner, MANUU, Hyderabad. • External research examiner, BAMU, Aurangabad.

23. Thank you Q & A