Interpersonal Communication- A Mindful Approach to Relationships, 2020a

doing this activity, try to be more mindful of the things that you send to other people.
Key Takeaways
Formal language is more careful and more mannered than everyday speech,
whereas informal language is appropriate in casual conversation.
Informal language includes (1) Jargon, or technical language; (2) Colloquialism,
or informal expressions; (3) Slang, or nonstandard language; (4) Idioms, or
expressions or figures of speech; (5) clichés, or sayings that are overused and
predictable.
Exercises
Create a list of jargon or slang words that you use and what they mean. Determine
if there are differences between how words are used now compared to the past.
Create a list of colloquialisms or idioms. Find an international student and see if
these words make sense. What was confusing or unclear?
Find clichés that are used in other cultures. Determine if you can find an American
equivalent of each cliché.
4.5 Improving Verbal Communication
Learning
Outcomes
1. Examine ways to improve your vocabulary.
2. Increase your awareness and adaptation of language.
3. Realize the importance of checking for understanding.
In this chapter, you have learned the importance of language. In this last section, we will discuss ways to
improve your verbal communication skills. To be a great interpersonal communicator, it is extremely
important that you also know how to use language in the most effective way.
From an early age, you probably had words that you used most frequently because you were familiar
with those words. As you get older and become more educated, your vocabulary has probably expanded
to help you become more successful. Language is used to help express our feelings, intentions, and
comprehension of others. 32 An extensive vocabulary is a keen predictor of someone’s social status,
education, and profession. Whether you like it or not, the words we use and the grammatical structure of
how we use those words can impact our standing in school, work, and society. Here are some tips to help
you improve your vocabulary.
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Interpersonal Communication