The Modern Language Journal

Defensive Communication It is the type of communication where the involved parties want to prove their point by means of undermining each other’s (Beebe & Masterson, 2015).   It is characterised by aspects like: Neutrality Superiority Strategy Certainty control.

These type of communication are the ones where the involved parties interact at equal level and tackle the issue at hand. It is characterised through: Empathy Spontaneity Equality Problem oriented Provisonalism.

These type of behaviours are the ones where an individual listens to speaker and valuing what he or she is saying. It is basically expressed through: Compliments Clarifications Agreements on Judgements Direct Acknowledgements Supportive responses.

These type of behaviours are the ones that show disregard for the speaker and the on-going conversation (Beebe & Masterson, 2015). It is basically expressed through: Incoherent replies Verbal silence Turning away Impersonal replies Stage hogging Non-verbal indifference Engaging in other activities.

It is the integrating factor in a conversation It demonstrates how well a conversation is related and coordinated. It is critical in the process of effective conversation It covers the aspects that depicts that both the speaker and the listener are progressive in the unison. 

It is all about being attentive to the on-going conversation. It demonstrate attentiveness of a person through active display of responses and his interaction (Poupore, 20018) Some of the examples of active listening include: Maintaining eye contact Asking questions Nodding head when agreeing Shaking head when disagreeing.

It is all about changing the non-verbal codes of a conversation It comprises of communication about the information without any verbal codes (Naveenan & Kumar, 2018) Some of the examples of non-verbal dynamics include: Facial expressions Eye contact Physical contact Body movement.

Richard: You Know, people in Texas are very friendly. It was so easy for me to shift there and my neighbours were amazing. You can definitely choose Texas for you new business expansion Lilly Cathrine: (Playing Game). Nah, Florida Please. (Seeing on the mobile screen) Michael: (Using Laptop and nodding head) Yeah, I too have heard that Texas has a business friendly climate, but have no idea about the people living there. Lilly: I have been there once. I too think that it is a family friendly place as it has good schools and reasonable mortgage as well. I have always felt at home as a Midwesterner, living in Texas. Did you too Richard? Richard: Yeah, that’s what I am saying. But you should better analysis the business market and do industry analysis before you expand your boutique there. However, products’ prices there are exorbitant. Lilly: What do you mean by exorbitant? Richard: unreasonably high. Certain things like gas price are exorbitant there. Lilly: I see. But, I can adjust with that. Right now, Texas is topping my list. Catherine: (eyes still on screen) Did I heard Florida? Lilly: Rolling her eyes Richard: (a sarcastic smile) Michael: Patting hands on forehead.

 

The Verbal Dynamics in the Family Gathering Interjection of the agreements like “yeah” Speaker sought clarification from the listener about whether they had lived in Texas Direct Acknowledgement.

 

The Supportive Communication in the Family Gathering Equality- Two parties were willing to reach a common goal on a common base (Richard and Michael). Empathy was indicated by the speakers as they pictured the experience of the listeners (Lilly). The Defensive communication  Superiority- It was indicated by the speaker Catherine when she, out of no where mentioned about Florida. 

Language Barrier The speaker used complicated terms about his experience in Texas and the listener had to seek for clarification.  (The use of exorbitant by Richard) 

Beebe, S. A., & Masterson, J. T. (2015). Communicating in small group: Principles and practices 11 th. Ed. Naveenan, R. N., & Kumar, B. R. (2018). Impact of Group Dynamics on Team. American International Journal of Social Science Research, 2(2), 16-23. Poupore, G. (2018). A complex systems investigation of group work dynamics in L2 interactive tasks. The Modern Language Journal, 102(2), 350-370. Surkamp, C. (2014). Non-verbal communication: Why we need it in foreign language teaching and how we can foster it with drama activities. Scenario, 2014(02), 12-27.