Paralanguage: Pg. 118-119

After I read this section on paralanguage I found it to be really interesting because for one I never knew that this language had a specific name and for two I do this ALL the time. Jandt describes paralanguage as a non verbal element of the voice that includes vocal characterizations, such as laughter, sobs, different pitches (high/low), and vocal segregates like “uh-uh.” Its interesting to know that some of the paralanguages we use in the US to get someone’s attention can mean something totally different in another country. For example whistling in America can mean you think someone is attractive or you are trying to get another persons attention; where on India it is considered as offensive. I also found this section interesting because there have been times when I would be around with my friends or family I would act like I’m sad or mad, by whining or growling, and they usually knew exactly what each of those sounds meant.  Something interesting that I also found to be true was the pitch in which a person uses their voice. Moreover many it bothered me reading the section that talked about how people try to determine someone’s educational status and manners based on the way that they talk. I can relate to this because I have seen situations where people are quick to make assumptions based on the way someone speaks. If a person is loud they are considered as rude. If someone talks with slang or broken language they are considered as uneducated. But if a person talks politely in a soft tone they tend to get more respect. I noticed that people tend to talk politely or softly when they call a business number, or are being interviewed. After reading this subject I never really noticed how much of an emphasis our society puts on paralanguage until I read this section.

Here’s an example of paralanguage from pretty woman. When she walks in the store one can see exactly how paralanguage is portrayed by the employees.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rZJ3pBAYTk