Communication is something that is second
in nature to all of us. Sending countless text messages and electronic mails
while waiting for the bus or train to arrive is not something new to many of
us. While communication is easily what we do everyday, I believe that the word
"effective" in "effective communication" changes the crux
of the matter and takes communication to a whole new level.
Effective communication, in my opinion,
is the ability to depict one's ideas in a coherent manner that would elicit the
appropriate response from the listener. It is a pertinent tool to convey
messages in professional and non-professional settings. While many of us can
convey messages easily and effectively in the virtual world, we get stumped
when communicating with someone face to face. Poor verbal cues and nonverbal
cues take the better hold of us, pushing us into awkward scenarios during face
to face communication, therefore highlighting the importance of effective
communication in today’s world. Furthermore, the daily use of shorthands
and Singlish in text messages makes us victims of ineffective communication in
professional settings. While the correct usage of English is a platform for
effective communication, I believe that effective communication can take place
even with Singlish.
A recent incident I witnessed at the wet
market with a foodware vendor can help substantiate this. The foodware vendor’s
choice of words when answering his customer took me by surprise. When one of
his customers questioned him on the instructions on how to use the pan, he
said,” Turn to your backside and look at the wording ah...” While his answer
left me in a fit of laughter, his customers looked happy with the answer and
left with a look of satisfaction. This is a clear example of how effective
communication can be achieved even with Singlish. This example also depicts how
the idea of effective communication varies from one to the other. A Caucasian
with no prior experience with Singlish might have been totally flabbergasted
with the vendor’s instruction but the aunties did not have a problem
understanding the vendor. The vendor, in this scenario, effectively
communicated his idea. Effective communication therefore cannot be limited to
the use of proper English. Maybe, the aunties might not have understood the
vendor if he used proper english. Maybe.
You have actually noted the significance of the verbal element of communication here. Non-verbals and paralinguistic features are important no doubt but choice of words and appropriacy are equally crucial in most contexts as well. Interesting post.
ReplyDeleteHi Saras, I agree with you that many of us are used to the current communication channels (text messages/electronic mails) to communicate, as such we stumped when communicating with someone face to face. It happens to me as well, especially with strangers. So I believe we should spend lesser time on virtual modes of communication and spend more time on the real world of making friends and building relationships. Don’t you think so?
ReplyDeleteThe example u gave is very interesting though. I guess effective communication occurs in such a situation because the reply was direct and clear. Both the receiver and the sender understand the information which led to a successful communication. Furthermore, I believe that effective communication takes place between different groups of people, different working environment. For example, we usually use singlish when we talk to friends or families because it is more informal. In the workplace, it becomes inappropriate. However,I still believe we should reduce the use of singlish because probably singlish is only "recognised" in singapore. :P
Selena :)