Verbal Communication: Oral and Written

Oral Communication: Immediacy and Dynamism

Oral communication is the most common and natural form of human interaction, based on the use of the spoken word to convey messages.

Its main characteristic is immediacy; in a face-to-face conversation, the exchange of information is instantaneous, allowing immediate feedback through verbal responses and non-verbal signals.

This contextual richness makes it ideal for discussions, debates and any situation that requires real-time clarifications and adjustments.

Paralinguistic elements, such as tone of voice, volume, rhythm and pauses, are intrinsic components that play a key role in conveying the speaker's emotional meaning and intent.

A simple "yes" can express enthusiasm, doubt or sarcasm, depending entirely on how it is pronounced, demonstrating that in orality, how it is said is as important as what is said.

Written communication: Precision and permanence

Unlike the ephemeral nature of the spoken word, written communication offers permanence and record.

A written message can be stored, reviewed, edited and referenced multiple times.

This makes it the ideal vehicle for formal agreements, reports, procedures, and any information that requires precision and must be recorded.

Writing requires a greater degree of planning and structure, as the sender must be deliberately clear and concise, lacking the support of body language and tone of voice to clarify ambiguities.

Each word must be chosen carefully to avoid misinterpretation, making grammar, punctuation and structure essential tools to guide the reader and ensure correct interpretation of the message.

The impact of word choice

In both oral and written communication, the choice of vocabulary is a determining factor in the effectiveness of the message.

The words we choose not only convey literal information, but also evoke emotions, set the tone of the interaction and reflect our attitude towards the receiver.

A competent communicator is aware that a clear intention leads to a more accurate choice of words.

It is essential to adapt the lexicon to the audience, the context and the purpose of the communication.

Using technical language with a non-specialist audience will be confusing, while overly informal language can undermine credibility in a professional context.

The goal is always to choose terms that are clear and appropriate to build bridges of understanding rather than barriers of ambiguity.

Summary

Oral communication is the most common form of human interaction, characterized by its immediacy and dynamism. Paralinguistic elements such as tone of voice play a fundamental role in conveying emotional meaning.

Written communication, on the other hand, offers permanence and register, being ideal for formal agreements and information that requires precision. It requires more planning to avoid ambiguities, as it lacks the support of nonverbal language.

Both in oral and written form, the choice of words is decisive for the effectiveness of the message. It is essential to adapt the lexicon to the audience in order to build bridges of understanding instead of barriers.