Communicating with an audience is an everyday part of life through the use of verbal and nonverbal techniques. When, a sender is preparing a message it is essential they conduct an audience analysis and make any necessary adjustments to the message for the intended audience. The sender must identify the pertinent information that must be sent and relay it effectively to ensure their receivers understand. Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
It is important to know communication includes verbal and nonverbal techniques, verbal techniques include vocalized sounds to express thoughts or feelings, whereas nonverbal techniques include gestures, posture, vocal inflections, and eye contact (Thomas Cheesebro, Linda O’Connor, Franciso Rios, University of Phoenix, 2010). The sender must ensure the verbal communication techniques and nonverbal communication techniques complement each other as well as the intended message. Components of Language The sender should consider the components of language when preparing their message.
The components of language include phonemes, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics (Thomas Cheesebro, Linda O’Connor, Franciso Rios, University of Phoenix, 2010). The components of language can be used to provide the foundation of the intended message ensuring the message is delivered both appropriately and effectively. “Phonemes represent the sound system of a language and are often the smallest level the language is understood” (Thomas Cheesebro, Linda O’Connor, Franciso Rios, University of Phoenix, 2010).
Syntax places the focus on the patterns or structures (including the rules for structure) of a language (Thomas Cheesebro, Linda O’Connor, Franciso Rios, University of Phoenix, 2010). Semantics puts a focus on the meaning of the words (Thomas Cheesebro, Linda O’Connor, Franciso Rios, University of Phoenix, 2010). Pragmatics focuses on identifying the appropriate use of language for the setting and the relationship of the sender and receiver(s) (Thomas Cheesebro, Linda O’Connor, Franciso Rios, University of Phoenix, 2010).
San Jose Mine Collapse Traps 30 Minera San Esteban Primera, suffered a cave-in of their San Jose mine on August 5, 2010 (Weik, 2010). The collapse left 33 workers trapped underground with limited food, water, and oxygen (Weik, 2010). Minera San Esteban Primera bore the responsibility of announcing the mine collapse to the trapped miner’s families, employees, and the media. Each message must relay the pertinent information but must be constructed differently identifying appropriate pragmatics for each audience. Needs of Company Employees
Minera San Esteban Primera employees would need to be informed of the details surrounding the mines collapse. The employees should receive pertinent information regarding the collapse that directly relates to their jobs. Employees should be informed of where the collapse occurred, the personnel trapped in the mine, the effects the mine collapse may have on employee’s workloads (extra shifts, closing of mines, etc. ), and safety precautions that can be taken to prevent future mine collapses from occurring in the future.
Employees should be encouraged to ask questions to their managers regarding the collapse and should avoid spreading or believing information they hear that does not directly come from management. It is important during times like this to avoid spreading rumors; this can have negative effects on moral. Needs of Trapped Miners Families The family members of the trapped miners would need to be informed of the incident by the Minera San Esteban Primera Company.
The company must reach out to the families directly and inform them of the events of the collapse, the established plan for rescue, inform the families of details as they emerge, and provide emotional support. The families need to know who they can turn to and need to know the current information surrounding the mine collapse, and it is essential for Minera San Esteban Primera to inform the families of who to contact for updates as they become available, this is also to prevent rumors from spreading and diminishing moral.
The families need to know they are not facing the collapse alone and have people to support them. The families will face a range of emotions and develop questions as the news settles and need to know how to handle the emotions that the emotions may be natural and the questions should be directed to the appropriate people to handle them. The questions should be answered expeditiously and honestly. Families congregated at a place they called “Camp Hope” located near the mouth of the mine providing a sense of unity as the rescue efforts were made (“Geodigest,” 2010).
Actions to Take Before Sending a Message The sender must take appropriate actions before and after sending a message to ensure the message is received as intended. The measures to take before sending a message is gathering the facts that will be sent to the receivers, and conducting audience analysis to deliver the message appropriately. The sender may consult with experts as part of their fact gathering or ask experts to be on hand to answer any questions that may be asked. The audience analysis allows the sender to curtail the message appropriately looking at pragmatics.
The sender is the face the receivers associate with the message, especially during emotional times. Actions to Take After Sending a Message After the message is delivered the sender must allow receivers to ask any questions. The questions can provide further clarification of what was stated. The questions also provide receivers the opportunity to voice their thoughts and concerns. The sender should also follow up with the receivers, the family members in the trapped Chilean copper miner’s incident.
Following up with receivers provides continuity and builds the relationship. Conclusion Communication can occur verbally and nonverbally, and people must be aware of the nonverbal communication techniques used to ensure they are not sending a different message than what they intend. It is important to remember when communicating during emotional times the sender is the person the receiver will remember and develop a communication relationship with. Communication does not end once a message is sent, questions should be allowed and follow ups should be conducted.
Geodigest. (2010, November-December). Geology Today, 26(6), 202-208. Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=2c590cad-5f71-4916-a110-f818b23e17e1%40sessionmgr11&vid=8&hid=4 Thomas Cheesebro, Linda O’Connor, Franciso Rios, University of Phoenix. (2010). Communicating in the Workplace. Retrieved from Thomas Cheesebro, Linda O’Connor, Franciso Rios, University of Phoenix, BCOM275-Business Communication and Critical Thinking website. Weik, J. (2010, August). Over 30 Workers Trapped After Chilean Copper Mine Collapse. Metal Bulletin Daily, (224), 65-65. Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/detail?sid=2c590cad-5f71-4916-a110-f818b23e17e1%40sessionmgr11&vid=5&hid=4&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d#db=bth&AN=53129236