Importance of Importance of Paralanguage in Paralanguage in

Multicultural EducationMulticultural EducationTara ChapmanTara ChapmanSpring 2008Spring 2008

Important because…Important because… the diversity in today’s classroomsthe diversity in today’s classrooms educator’s need to understand differences educator’s need to understand differences

in order to address the needs of all in order to address the needs of all studentsstudents

OverviewOverview Background InformationBackground Information ParalanguageParalanguage

• Verbal aspects that express emotionsVerbal aspects that express emotions• Body language – the unspoken wordBody language – the unspoken word

Difference in culturesDifference in cultures Difference between gendersDifference between genders

What is Paralanguage?What is Paralanguage? Paralanguage is the non-verbal aspects of Paralanguage is the non-verbal aspects of

communication and is used to express communication and is used to express emotion such as hand gestures, eye emotion such as hand gestures, eye contact, touching, and many others. contact, touching, and many others.

The study of paralanguage, also known as The study of paralanguage, also known as paralinguistic’s, has opened up avenues to paralinguistic’s, has opened up avenues to understand aspects of cultures that some understand aspects of cultures that some may have not understood in the past. may have not understood in the past.

How often is paralanguage used?How often is paralanguage used? Communication is essential in our Communication is essential in our

classrooms yesterday, today, and classrooms yesterday, today, and tomorrow and consists of much more than tomorrow and consists of much more than speech and/or writing. speech and/or writing.

According to O’Neill, up to 70% of According to O’Neill, up to 70% of communication, face to face with others, is communication, face to face with others, is done through paralanguage. done through paralanguage.

Paralanguage is said to be so important Paralanguage is said to be so important because people are less likely to lie or try because people are less likely to lie or try to cover up emotions due to the difficulty to cover up emotions due to the difficulty in doing so.in doing so.

Importance of ParalanguageImportance of Paralanguage Expression carries more importance than what is Expression carries more importance than what is

actually being said. actually being said. • For example, the tone of voice a person is using.For example, the tone of voice a person is using.

Non-verbal communication is very important; Non-verbal communication is very important; however, there is a cultural attitude where we however, there is a cultural attitude where we only listen to what is being said and not to how it only listen to what is being said and not to how it is being delivered, meaning “hear what I say, and is being delivered, meaning “hear what I say, and don’t notice the way I say it”.don’t notice the way I say it”.

Verbal Aspects of ParalanguageVerbal Aspects of Paralanguage InflectionInflection

• the rising, falling or flatness of the voicethe rising, falling or flatness of the voice PacingPacing

• the speed of the voice whether it is rapid, slow or changingthe speed of the voice whether it is rapid, slow or changing IntensityIntensity

• the strength in which something is because expressed the strength in which something is because expressed whether it is loud, soft or breathy (which means powerfully whether it is loud, soft or breathy (which means powerfully stated)stated)

ToneTone• whether is the voice is nasally, whining, growling, etc.whether is the voice is nasally, whining, growling, etc.

PitchPitch• the changes in the voice from high, medium or lowthe changes in the voice from high, medium or low

PausesPauses• means if one is disorganized, shy, hesitant, etc.means if one is disorganized, shy, hesitant, etc.

Body Language – The Unspoken Body Language – The Unspoken WordWord

KinesicsKinesics• gestures and other movements of the body, including facial gestures and other movements of the body, including facial

expressions, movements of the eyes, and postureexpressions, movements of the eyes, and posture ProxemicsProxemics

• social distancesocial distance HapticsHaptics

• arm and hand movementsarm and hand movements Paraverbal featuresParaverbal features

• nonlexical aspects of verbal communication, such as pitch, nonlexical aspects of verbal communication, such as pitch, variation, the use of silence, how space is filled in a variation, the use of silence, how space is filled in a conversation (e.g., conversation (e.g., uhuh in English, in English, este este for many Spanish for many Spanish speakers) speakers)

ChronismChronism• monochromic use of time in a linear mode in Western cultures, monochromic use of time in a linear mode in Western cultures,

with sequential scheduling and tasks completed one at a time; with sequential scheduling and tasks completed one at a time; polychronistic use of time in a cyclical mode in non-Western polychronistic use of time in a cyclical mode in non-Western cultures, with less precise time commitmentscultures, with less precise time commitments

KinesicsKinesics most important characteristic of paralanguagemost important characteristic of paralanguage better known as body languagebetter known as body language body movements tend to speak louder than body movements tend to speak louder than

wordswords interpreted different across culturesinterpreted different across cultures

Kinesics & African AmericansKinesics & African Americans Use eye contact more when speaking than when Use eye contact more when speaking than when

listeninglistening Tend to use simple and concise wordingTend to use simple and concise wording

• African American Vernacular EnglishAfrican American Vernacular English Regard manners to be affective, emotional and Regard manners to be affective, emotional and

interpersonalinterpersonal Will interrupt or take a turn at speaking when Will interrupt or take a turn at speaking when

they canthey can

Kinesics & American-IndiansKinesics & American-Indians Feel that silence is sacredFeel that silence is sacred

• Needed to reflect on their worldNeeded to reflect on their world Use an abundance of wordsUse an abundance of words Manners of expression to be understated and Manners of expression to be understated and

indirectindirect Place a greater emphasis on community fabric Place a greater emphasis on community fabric

and kinship rather than the individualand kinship rather than the individual Cherish their individual place in the entire natural Cherish their individual place in the entire natural

worldworld• Needed in order to be validatedNeeded in order to be validated

Express themselves through humorExpress themselves through humor Seldom provide cues to encourage the speakerSeldom provide cues to encourage the speaker

Kinesics & AsiansKinesics & Asians View silence as a show of respectView silence as a show of respect Use abundance of wordsUse abundance of words Manners of expression to be understated and Manners of expression to be understated and

indirectindirect Seldom provide cue to encourage the speakerSeldom provide cue to encourage the speaker Listen with significant nonverbal engagementListen with significant nonverbal engagement Place a greater emphasis on community fabric Place a greater emphasis on community fabric

and kinship rather than the individualand kinship rather than the individual

Kinesics & White AmericansKinesics & White Americans Tend to use more eye contact when spoken to Tend to use more eye contact when spoken to

then when they are speakingthen when they are speaking Tend to feel uncomfortable with silenceTend to feel uncomfortable with silence Use fewer words for expressionUse fewer words for expression Are objective and task-orientedAre objective and task-oriented Nod to indicate listening or agreementNod to indicate listening or agreement Some emphasize individualism, competition, Some emphasize individualism, competition,

taking actions, rational linear thinking, Christian taking actions, rational linear thinking, Christian principles and a Protestant work ethicprinciples and a Protestant work ethic

Kinesics & HispanicsKinesics & Hispanics Manners of expression to be understated and Manners of expression to be understated and

indirectindirect Place a greater emphasis on community fabric Place a greater emphasis on community fabric

and kinship rather than the individualand kinship rather than the individual Less competitive not to overshadow anotherLess competitive not to overshadow another Stand close to others, touch a lot more than other Stand close to others, touch a lot more than other

culturescultures Make less eye-contactMake less eye-contact

Differences between GendersDifferences between Genders interruptions in conversationsinterruptions in conversations vocabulary and languagevocabulary and language patterns of inequality in speech and conversationpatterns of inequality in speech and conversation cultural images of men and womencultural images of men and women differences in movement and kinesicsdifferences in movement and kinesics communication changes are needed by communication changes are needed by

individuals who undergo a change from one individuals who undergo a change from one gender to anothergender to another

communication patternscommunication patterns

Social DistanceSocial Distance GenderGender

• same sex tend to have less social distancesame sex tend to have less social distance• opposite sex tend to have more social distanceopposite sex tend to have more social distance

RaceRace• same race tend to have less social distancesame race tend to have less social distance• opposite race tend to have more social opposite race tend to have more social

distancedistance

Useful WebsitesUseful Websites About Nonverbal Communications Part 1: General About Nonverbal Communications Part 1: General

Considerations.Considerations.• http://www.blatner.com/adam/level2/nverbal1.htmhttp://www.blatner.com/adam/level2/nverbal1.htm• This website gives examples of the types of nonverbal This website gives examples of the types of nonverbal

communication, including cultural differences.communication, including cultural differences.• The information is useful for any profession that deals with The information is useful for any profession that deals with

people on a daily basis. people on a daily basis. Gender and Communication: Male-Female Differences in Gender and Communication: Male-Female Differences in

Language and Nonverbal BehaviorLanguage and Nonverbal Behavior• http://www.berkleymedia.com/resources/app/top/pdf/comm05.http://www.berkleymedia.com/resources/app/top/pdf/comm05.

pdfpdf• This website is a summary of an online video that shows the This website is a summary of an online video that shows the

differences in male and female interaction.differences in male and female interaction.• The information could be used by parents, teachers, The information could be used by parents, teachers,

psychologists and youth leaders.psychologists and youth leaders.

Useful Websites (cont’d)Useful Websites (cont’d) Hidden Aspects of CommunicationHidden Aspects of Communication

• http://anthro.palomar.edu/language/language_6.htmhttp://anthro.palomar.edu/language/language_6.htm• This website reported on the different verbal aspects of This website reported on the different verbal aspects of

paralanguage. It gives statistics concerning the usage of paralanguage. It gives statistics concerning the usage of paralanguage. There are also examples for the workplace.paralanguage. There are also examples for the workplace.

• The information from this source can be used by parents, The information from this source can be used by parents, teachers, psychologists, employers and other community teachers, psychologists, employers and other community leaders.leaders.

ParalanguageParalanguage• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralanguagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralanguage• This website defines paralanguage, its different components This website defines paralanguage, its different components

and paralinguistics.and paralinguistics.• This site could be informative for everyone, including the This site could be informative for everyone, including the

general public.general public.

Useful Websites (cont’d)Useful Websites (cont’d) Potential Cross-Cultural Pitfalls and DangersPotential Cross-Cultural Pitfalls and Dangers

• http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/publications/inforces/http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/publications/inforces/restorative_justice/96522-multicultural/multi6.htmlrestorative_justice/96522-multicultural/multi6.html

• This website informs about the different communication styles This website informs about the different communication styles and how to deal with cross-cultural issues.and how to deal with cross-cultural issues.

• The information could be used by parents, teachers, The information could be used by parents, teachers, psychologists and youth leaders.psychologists and youth leaders.

Understanding and Counseling Hispanic American Children\Understanding and Counseling Hispanic American Children\• Baruth, L. & Manning, M.Baruth, L. & Manning, M.• The article discusses the cultural differences between The article discusses the cultural differences between

Hispanics and others.Hispanics and others.• The information could be used by parents, teachers, The information could be used by parents, teachers,

psychologists and youth leaders.psychologists and youth leaders. The use of humor as a counselor strategy with Native The use of humor as a counselor strategy with Native

American Indian childrenAmerican Indian children• Herring, R. & Meggert, S.Herring, R. & Meggert, S.• The article discusses the cultural differences between Native The article discusses the cultural differences between Native

American Indian children and others.American Indian children and others.• The information could be used by parents, teachers, The information could be used by parents, teachers,

psychologists and youth leaders.psychologists and youth leaders.

Useful ArticlesUseful Articles

Useful Articles (cont’d)Useful Articles (cont’d) Children’s use of social distance: The effects of race and Children’s use of social distance: The effects of race and

gendergender• Holmes, R.Holmes, R.• This article informs about the social distance used by children This article informs about the social distance used by children

of different genders and different races.of different genders and different races.• The information could be used by parents, teachers, The information could be used by parents, teachers,

psychologists and youth leaders.psychologists and youth leaders. All Children Read, Teaching For Literacy In Today’s All Children Read, Teaching For Literacy In Today’s

Classroom (2Classroom (2ndnd edition) edition)• Temple, C., Ogle, D., Crawford, A., & Freppon, P.Temple, C., Ogle, D., Crawford, A., & Freppon, P.• This graduate level textbook charts the different types of This graduate level textbook charts the different types of

paralanguage and explains its importance in today’s schools.paralanguage and explains its importance in today’s schools.• The information could be used by educators, psychologists and The information could be used by educators, psychologists and

youth leaders.youth leaders.

ConclusionConclusion An educator must recognize…An educator must recognize…

• all culture represented in their classroomall culture represented in their classroom• comprehend and grasp the fundamentals of a comprehend and grasp the fundamentals of a

multicultural education multicultural education • understand the significance of paralanguage in understand the significance of paralanguage in

today’s society and classroomstoday’s society and classrooms

ReferencesReferences Baruth, L., & Manning, M. (1992, December). Understanding and Baruth, L., & Manning, M. (1992, December). Understanding and

counseling Hispanic American children. counseling Hispanic American children. Elementary School Guidance & Elementary School Guidance & CounselingCounseling, , 2727(2), 113. Retrieved February 19, 2008, from Education (2), 113. Retrieved February 19, 2008, from Education Research Complete database.Research Complete database.

Blatner, A. M.D. (2002). Blatner, A. M.D. (2002). About Nonverbal Communications Part 1: About Nonverbal Communications Part 1: General ConsiderationsGeneral Considerations. Retrieved February 15, 2008, from . Retrieved February 15, 2008, from http://www.blatner.com/adam/level2/nverbal1.htmhttp://www.blatner.com/adam/level2/nverbal1.htm

Gender and Communication: Male-Female Differences in Language and Gender and Communication: Male-Female Differences in Language and Nonverbal BehaviorNonverbal Behavior. (n.d.). Retrieved February 9, 2008, from . (n.d.). Retrieved February 9, 2008, from http://www.berkleymedia.com/resources/app/top/pdf/comm05.pdfhttp://www.berkleymedia.com/resources/app/top/pdf/comm05.pdf

Herring, R., & Meggert, S. (1994, October). The use of humor as a Herring, R., & Meggert, S. (1994, October). The use of humor as a counselor strategy with Native American Indian children. counselor strategy with Native American Indian children. Elementary Elementary School Guidance & CounselingSchool Guidance & Counseling, , 2929(1), 67. Retrieved February 19, 2008, (1), 67. Retrieved February 19, 2008, from Education Research Complete database. from Education Research Complete database.

References (cont’d)References (cont’d) Holmes, R. (1997). Children's use of social distance: The effects of race Holmes, R. (1997). Children's use of social distance: The effects of race

and gender. and gender. Child Study JournalChild Study Journal, , 2727(2), 129. Retrieved February 19, (2), 129. Retrieved February 19, 2008, from Education Research Complete database.2008, from Education Research Complete database.

O’Neill, D. (2007). O’Neill, D. (2007). Hidden Aspects of CommunicationHidden Aspects of Communication. Retrieved . Retrieved February 10, 2008, from February 10, 2008, from http://anthro.palomar.edu/language/language_6.htmhttp://anthro.palomar.edu/language/language_6.htm

ParalanguageParalanguage. (2008). Retrieved February 15, 2008, from . (2008). Retrieved February 15, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralanguage http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralanguage

Potential Cross-Cultural Pitfalls and DangersPotential Cross-Cultural Pitfalls and Dangers. (2007). Retrieved . (2007). Retrieved February 15, 2008, from February 15, 2008, from http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/publications/inforces/restorative_justice/http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/publications/inforces/restorative_justice/96522-multicultural/multi6.html96522-multicultural/multi6.html

Temple, C., Ogle, D., Crawford, A., & Freppon, P. (2008). Temple, C., Ogle, D., Crawford, A., & Freppon, P. (2008). All Children All Children Read, Teaching For Literacy In Today’s ClassroomRead, Teaching For Literacy In Today’s Classroom (2nd ed.). Boston: (2nd ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.Allyn and Bacon.