"What is so technical about communication? It is such a simple thing that even persons having different ways of life can do it effectively." Stop right there! In order for a message to be conveyed and received the cultural barrier has to be broken down or be bridged. For example, although both Jamaica and Barbados are Caribbean countries, the fruit we know as ackee in Jamaica, they know as guinep and vice versa. Now, my friend, how could a Barbadian accept the invitation of a Jamaican to a lunch of ackee and saltfish with roasted breadfruit? Through knowledge this and many more gaps have been bridged to ensure smooth conversations over cultural barriers.
Chapter II.
Concept: Self-concept, Self-esteem, and Communication.
Mrs. Patricia Haakmat in her "Destiny of Hope" Seminar gave this analogy: "There was this young man. One day he was having a conversation with his teacher. Throughout the conversation, he buried his head in the ground. Then the teacher asked, "why don't you look at me when you are speaking?" The young man confessed, "I am ugly and so I don't want you to see my face.".
Evidently, this young man has a serious problem with his self-concept. It has certainly caused him to be communicating blindly, thus not seeing the non-verbal cues of the teacher and not conveying his messages effectively by providing eye contact. .
Having a high self-concept is essential in communicating because our self-perception is thus accepted and a bad perception of oneself will bring pessimism to your conversations and a lack of competency and effectiveness because you may think that you are not worthy or capable.
Chapter III.
Concept: Profanity and Vulgarity.
"There is no such word as a "bad word"." This is a very common statement made by the "learned" of our street corners in Jamaica. However, whether indecent language, expletives or to delve more in linguistics, profanity and vulgarity, these all refer to "bad words.