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Characteristics of Verbal Communication

Understanding how language works

When we think of what it means to communicate, what often leaps to mind is the exchange of spoken or written language with others during interactions, known as verbal communication. Across any given day, we use words to communicate with romantic partners, family members, friends, and coworkers. Our verbal communication bridges multiple media; we exchange language through Facebook posts, via e-mail, on the phone, and face-to-face. During each of these encounters, we tailor our language in creative ways, depending on whom we’re speaking with. We shift grammar, word choices, and sometimes even the entire language itself—for example, firing off a Spanish text message to one friend and an English text to another.

Because verbal communication is defined by our use of language, the first step toward improving our verbal communication is to deepen our understanding of language.