Let’s be Open-minded to be Successful in our Life!

An article “Some Friends and I started Talking: Conversation and Social Change” by Margaret J. Wheatley explorers possibility of conversation in our life. Wheatley describes many social changes begun with having a conversation; the power of conversation is emphasized in the article. But she also reveals that social change is not going to happen with any kind of conversation; she states, “Change doesn’t happen from a leader announcing the plan. Change begins from deep inside a system, when a few people notice something they will no longer tolerate, or when they respond to someone’s dream of what’s possible” (Wheatley par. 5). The author suggests that the conversation which make the society different is the one attract people’s will. Following two tips change ordinary conversation to powerful conversation. One is welcome others opinion; the author suggest, “What’s important at the start is that everyone’s voice gets heard, that everyone feels invited into the conversation” (18). Another tip is that being open to one’s criticism; Wheatley mentions. “Another surprising but important element of conversation is a willingness to be disturbed, to allow our beliefs and ideas to be challenged by what others think” (20). Conversation becomes deeper and stronger by openness; this nurtures unified and thoughtful ideas which trigger social change.

When I read this article, I reminded the importance of openness in the conversation, because I have learned how important to be open-minded especially when I have crucial conversation with group of people through my personal experience. When I think my opinion is right, I tend to be close-minded; this result in blocking others’ opinion since I feel listening to others is wasting my time; as a result, others feel offended by my blocking attitude, since many of them may feel that I am treating them as inferior through not listening to them. Then, ironic language starts appearing in the conversation; consequence is more likely having a quarrel rather than having a conversation. I have had many experiences like this when I was talking with friends who seemed not wise to me. However, my living experience in the U.S. changed my attitude toward any kind of people in conversation. My first living experience away from my parents in foreign country with foreign country made me feel ignorant due to lack of knowledge in the culture and the language. This feeling help me to listen to others, since I was not sure what is ideal among American People; there was necessity to learn from other’s opinion. Another reason which made me open-minded was noticing diversity in the U.S. I noticed there are so many racial and cultural backgrounds here and everybody thinks differently; I became very interested in listening one’s opinion because diversity of opinion entertained me through hearing something I never imagined. Through the process, I became aware of how important to be open-minded. I realized that people become very friendly when I listen to them; they can feel that I respect them and their opinion through listening their opinion; they become open to my opinion as well since I demonstrate care to them. And I also realized that Iistening to others may bring some point of view, I have never thought about. Since everyone thinks differently, one’s opinion varies as well; this approach from others open my eyes to come up some fresh ideas. I noticed that my action of listening to others serves sort of ice breaker to the people to open their mind, which more likely to result in meaningful honest conversation without ego and pride. People who seemed unwise was actually holds unique idea ; in fact, they were wise, I was the unwise person who was blocking others’ opinion, which missed opportunity to elaborate my idea. Now, I know how important to listen to others in order to make them feel involved which helps my opinion to be elaborated and approved. I strive to be open-minded always, sometimes, it is not easy to accomplish, and however, I believe it comes with practice. I am more open-minded than before, which make my life more interesting and smoothes. I am looking forward to be more productive and unbiased through listening others’ opinion.

Work Cited
Wheatley, Margaret J. “Some Friends and I Started Talking: Conversation and Social Change” Exploring Language. Ed. Gary Goshgarian. New York: Longman, 2008. 311-15. Print.

Nonverbal Cues Talk More than Words

Have you had experience that you kept distance from someone who was dressed far away from others? Or have you felt your friend who has comical expression is making fun of you even though his words contain sense of consolation? These situations occur very often to everyone, because either strongly or weakly, we more likely determine our mind based on nonverbal cues rather than actual words. Let’s analyze how my body language, the way I talk, my facials expressions, dress style, and mental attitude give vibes to the people around me, to see how powerful nonverbal cues are.

First, many people use body language to emphasize their expression. It is very common nonverbal cue used in the speech. I personally believe that when I use appropriate amount of body language accompanying the words contents, I attract audience. For instance, when I am talking about something “big,” spreading my both arms widely emphasize the meaning and it reinforces audience’s understanding. However, when I use body language exaggeratedly, many listeners start laughing even though the content I am talking is nothing comical. If I do not use body language at all, many audiences would think that I have no passion toward subject I am talking. Therefore people get influenced by body language to determine their mind.

The way I talk can influence people’s thought strongly as well. For example, when I talk in same tone like a robot, many people would lose their interest even though I am talking something what exactly people want to hear. Talking passionately always attract audience’s interest by making them pay attention.

How about my facial expressions? I believe most of people receive message through facial expression than actual words when there is contradiction between them. When I have sad expression, and tell my friends that “I am happy,” they are more likely to think that I am sad. It is very common to hear somebody claiming that “you are not sorry!” when I say “sorry” with laugh, because he prioritizes my facial expression over what I am talking.
Dress style is another strong nonverbal cue which influence people’s mind. When I was dressed very casually, I felt that some people are not really listening to me and not agreeing with me. However, when I dressed formally, my audience was looking at me and listening to me seriously even though I was talking exactly same matter; their feedback were very positive. People’s reaction varied through judging my dress style. Wearing suits when we have business reunion is anther evidences that we care how we dress, because we unconsciously know that our dress style affects customers thought strongly.

Finally, mental attitude affects others around me strongly; unlike other nonverbal cues, this cue actually affects our word choice. When I have positive mental attitude, I usually have appreciative and supportive attitude, which nurture compliment and encouragement. On the other hand, when I have bad mental attitude, I often end up choosing criticizing and denial word choices. Mental attitude affects the verbal cues strongly.

As we examined, nonverbal cues play crucial role in the speech or conversation. In order to convey right thought, we should consider how our nonverbal cues influence the audience, because those cues are very powerful; they more likely win against verbal cues. We should avoid conflict between verbal and nonverbal cues in order to convey our thoughts correctly. Now, I will try to focus on non verbal cues to avoid misunderstanding by others.

Global Language English and Its Future

Nowadays, the term globalization is heard everywhere in the world. The place I have lived before, Japan, Ecuador, and the U.S. all countries focus on this concept every day. Globalization increased the necessity of having communication tool among people all over the world. One of the vital communication tools is a language. Now many people from choose to use English as their tool to communicate with whom has different language background. Many people claim English as a global language; it is second most spoken language after Chinese Mandarin, and it is most spoken foreign-language in the world. According to Carla Power’s “Not the Queen’s English,” “English now outnumber native speakers 3 to 1” (Power 199). This suggests that how English is spread all over the world as foreign communication tool. Power also acknowledges that “Within a decade, 2 billion people will be studying English and about half the world—some 3 billion people—will speak it” (199). It seems there is no doubt English is encouraged language in the world. I remember that I used English to communicate with my friend from Holland when I was in Ecuador. I speak with my Korean and Chinese friends with English as well. In most of Japanese public school system adapt English as a second language in their curriculum. In Ecuador, English is emphasized even for elementary school students. It seems English dominates foreign language choice for many countries, and knowing English is a key tool to succeed in global environment now. However, will this language remain the dominant as a global language in 20, 50 or even 100 years from now? In order to forecast future of the global language, we have to know the reason what makes particular language prominent. According to David Crystal in his article “Why a Global Language?” he illustrates, “A language has traditionally become an international language for one chief reason: the power of its people—especially their political and military power” (Crystal 183). I strongly agree with his opinion since England constructed one of the strongest empires to influence the world, and now United States is the strongest country politically, militarily, and economically. However, we do not know if English speaking country is going be prominent in the future. For instance, China is nurturing its economical power dramatically over this 25 years; Chinese government is increasing its political power and military power as well; in fact, Chinese GDP is said to exceed Japanese GDP this year to be number two highest GDP country in the world. The problem of the United States faces now is lack of skilled labor within the country due to citizen’s lack of education. Douglas McGray in his article “Lost in America,” suggests that “Soon, we hear, the United States will become a nation of baristas and retail clerks, while Asians leave their kids with the Nannybot” (McGray 204). This may trigger serious economical downturn in the future. Therefore I forecast, English speaking population decreases little by little. However hope is potential countries such as China and India currently are focusing on educating citizens with English. Therefore, I believe English is going to be most spoken foreign language in 20 years from now. How about 50 years from now? It is harder to forecast. According to Barbara Wallraff’s “What Global Language,” she states, “In 2050…the world will hold 1,384 million native speakers of Chinese, 556 million of Hindi and Urdu, and 508 million of English” (Wallraff 190). It seems there will be big Chinese influence in the world; If American economy does not remain strong, I think many other countries decide to shift English to other language which is spoken in the country with strong economy and political power such as Chinese in 2060. How about a century from now? This one is almost impossible to forecast, but I believe it depends on how English speaking countries act on developing their counties; most prominent language can be English, Chinese, or Hindu. Since many countries emphasize on English as their second language, it is easier for English to maintain its strong position, therefore I believe there will not be another language replaces English soon. However, if English countries fail to succeed in economic, political, and military power, another language which is spoken in influential country is going to replace it, because foreign countries are not adopting English as their mother tongue, the rise of another language is possible. It is hard to practice only one global language for such diverse world.

Work Cited

Cristal, David. “Why a Global Language?” Exploring Language. Ed. Gary Goshgarian. New York: Longman, 2008. 178-86. Print.

McGray, Douglas. “Lost in America” Exploring Language. Ed. Gary Goshgarian. New York: Longman, 2008. 203-10. Print.

Power, Carla. “Not the Queen’s English” Exploring Language. Ed. Gary Goshgarian. New York: Longman, 2008. 198-202. Print.

Wallraff, Barbara. “What Global Language?” Exploring Language. Ed. Gary Goshgarian. New York: Longman, 2008. 187-97. Print.

Back to the Basic

This week, I have read essays related to language construction and its influence. I learned many methods which affect certain way. This is useful to know in order to enhance my critical reading and writing skill. I read ten essays; the subjects vary from how choice of font may affect readers feeling to how knowing audience helps to choose and shape information. But one of the most informative essays to me is “The Case for Short Words” by Richard Lederer. The author explains how short words are powerful comparing to long words. This article changed my idea toward English writing upside down!

How many of you tried to impress audience by using big words or bureaucratese to show your intelligence? I think many of you tried such method to decorate your idea; I was not the exception. When comes to the writing, I tend to search more difficult or complicated words as possible, rather than simple short words, to make it look gorgeous. But Lederer points out that how use of short words effect audience positively in his essay. He states, “Big words can make the way dark for those who read what you write and hear what you say. Small words cast their clear light on big things…Big words at times seem strange to the eye and the car and the mind and the heart. Small words are the ones we seem to have known from the time we were born, like the hearth fire that warms the home” (Lederer par. 2). This idea clicked my brain to remind that how I used to use short words to explain something new to that person; I often takes a while to understand the concept explained by big words. In addition, I tend to use simple words when I communicate with others. I may confused my audience through use of big words; because my motivation of using big words was, making my essay looks more complicated, rather than telling my thought directly, in order to show my skill of expression to the audience; I distorted some of my idea slightly different from my original thought by using big words.

Lederer also acknowledges us how short words were used in the work of one of the most famous writers in the history as following, “Nobody used the short word more skillfully than William Shakespeare” (par. 8). When I read this fact, I was very surprised that Shakespeare accomplished his famous works without much big words. This fact encourages me to use powerful simple words.

After reading Lederer’s essay, I became aware of using big words does not equal to better writing; I felt extremely relieved since I became released by pressure of using big words; now I can enjoy being me by writing with simple words which is more likely my natural reflection in writing, since I do not talk or express myself as politician. Of course there are cases big words are necessary for essay when those add understanding, however, now I have an idea that use of the language has to be clear to the audience if I want to correctly acknowledge or inform my audience, so I will focus on analyzing the fact that if my word choice deliver my idea clearly rather than focusing on decorating my essay. I saws short words in new light; now, I am not afraid to use such basic words.

Work Cited
Lederer, Richard. “The case for Short Words” Exploring Language. Ed. Gary Goshgarian. New York: Longman, 2008. 122-24. Print.