Analytical
Content
ANALYTICAL
Communicative behaviours Greater communicators are able to listen to what is being said as well as what is not. Most of what we actually communicate done is non-verbally. It is therefore crucial that one understands communicative behaviours. In the story there were four types of communicative behaviours observed.
Proxemics, the use of space, was evident in the communication process in the short story. It was detected by Roman that Sandra was angry with him because she decided to sit further away from the driver s seat, in the back row, far from him and taking her personal space. There was also interpersonal communication between Roman and Sandra when he walked into her room and rests his hand on her frail body as well as in the latter part of the story when Dr. Peters walked over and rubbed her shoulder to console her. The use of space was analysed within a Caribbean context however, proxemics may differ from culture to culture.
Kinesics, the interpretation of body language and gestures was evident throughout the story. Such instances are the receptionist s body language to show Sandra the doctor s office, this can be interpreted as the receptionist not having any interest and that she was unprofessional. Also, Dr. Peters touching of his ear indicated to Sandra that he didn t here her. This acted independently from saying I beg your pardon? Sandra s decision to sit in the back seat, mentioned above can also be interpreted as her body language. Like proxemics, kinesics is generally believed to be culture bound.
Phatic communication used simply to establish contact can also be observed when Dr. Peters asks Good morning and how are you feeling today? Sandra given present condition replied Ummm...I m fine . Phatic communication generally has no informative value.
Language variation
There were small variations in the language used in the story. The two different social levels of language usage present were Dr. Peters acrolect the Standard English and Sandra s and Roman s mesolect the
Trinidadian Creole, have same lexical base but with different structures syntax and grammar taken from its West African language. The Trinidadian Creole used by Sandra is good I good is particular to some Creole structures to create particular emphasis on how good she feels. The sound units of the Creole used differ from that of their English language origin, such sound units are the th replaced by t or d sound in thing and that. Ting and dat are the Creole words used between Sandra and Roman in dialogue. The Creole language also has a different sound for the word you that is yuh . The grammar of the Creole language is also distinct form that of the Standard English, the first person singular used by Sandra in I eatin the same translated to Standard English would be I am eating the same , Trinidadian Creole does not alter verbs, nouns, pronouns to indicate plurals, tense, person or case. The second person plural and singular are differentiated by inserting the all as seen in Roman s use of when all yuh done . Another characteristic of the Creole language is semantic differences from that of the original lexical base, such words in the story are real which means in abundance or plenty in Creole but originally meaning not imaginary . Other words included are the slangs used such as done to end a relationship and outtaz a shortened form for out of timing .
Communicative behaviours Greater communicators are able to listen to what is being said as well as what is not. Most of what we actually communicate done is non-verbally. It is therefore crucial that one understands communicative behaviours. In the story there were four types of communicative behaviours observed.
Proxemics, the use of space, was evident in the communication process in the short story. It was detected by Roman that Sandra was angry with him because she decided to sit further away from the driver s seat, in the back row, far from him and taking her personal space. There was also interpersonal communication between Roman and Sandra when he walked into her room and rests his hand on her frail body as well as in the latter part of the story when Dr. Peters walked over and rubbed her shoulder to console her. The use of space was analysed within a Caribbean context however, proxemics may differ from culture to culture.
Kinesics, the interpretation of body language and gestures was evident throughout the story. Such instances are the receptionist s body language to show Sandra the doctor s office, this can be interpreted as the receptionist not having any interest and that she was unprofessional. Also, Dr. Peters touching of his ear indicated to Sandra that he didn t here her. This acted independently from saying I beg your pardon? Sandra s decision to sit in the back seat, mentioned above can also be interpreted as her body language. Like proxemics, kinesics is generally believed to be culture bound.
Phatic communication used simply to establish contact can also be observed when Dr. Peters asks Good morning and how are you feeling today? Sandra given present condition replied Ummm...I m fine . Phatic communication generally has no informative value.
Language variation
There were small variations in the language used in the story. The two different social levels of language usage present were Dr. Peters acrolect the Standard English and Sandra s and Roman s mesolect the
Trinidadian Creole, have same lexical base but with different structures syntax and grammar taken from its West African language. The Trinidadian Creole used by Sandra is good I good is particular to some Creole structures to create particular emphasis on how good she feels. The sound units of the Creole used differ from that of their English language origin, such sound units are the th replaced by t or d sound in thing and that. Ting and dat are the Creole words used between Sandra and Roman in dialogue. The Creole language also has a different sound for the word you that is yuh . The grammar of the Creole language is also distinct form that of the Standard English, the first person singular used by Sandra in I eatin the same translated to Standard English would be I am eating the same , Trinidadian Creole does not alter verbs, nouns, pronouns to indicate plurals, tense, person or case. The second person plural and singular are differentiated by inserting the all as seen in Roman s use of when all yuh done . Another characteristic of the Creole language is semantic differences from that of the original lexical base, such words in the story are real which means in abundance or plenty in Creole but originally meaning not imaginary . Other words included are the slangs used such as done to end a relationship and outtaz a shortened form for out of timing .
