Whenever you write, speak, sign, tweet, or text, you’re using language to convey meaning to others. But the words you choose also communicate powerful messages about who you are in relation to your listeners. Understanding how verbal communication works will help you use language more competently in every area of your life.

Your days are filled with verbal communication. You talk with your professor during her office hours, then text your roommate to see if you can get a ride home. You e-mail group members about an upcoming project, then give a speech in front of your communication class. You chat with coworkers after your shift, then Skype with your partner stationed overseas. Through all of these exchanges, you employ verbal communication—the use of spoken or written language to interact with others. Because language is the basis of verbal communication, understanding the nature of language is key for improving your verbal communication skills. Language has four defining features: it is symbolic, it is governed by rules, it conveys meaning, and it is intertwined with culture.