Communication Modes

1. What are the different types of communication mode and how do they differ from
each other?

● The first or the most common of all these modes is the face-to-face interaction.
It is an informal or casual conversation between two or more people. One
advantage of the face-to-face interaction to other communication modes is that
aside from directly hearing the message being conveyed, you are able to note
cues through facial expressions, gestures and movements of the person you are
communicating with. Another mode of communication is video. It is a very
effective mode of communication especially for people separated by distance,
just like the “Skype” app which is very useful for Filipinos who want to talk to their
loved ones abroad. However, one disadvantage is the time zone difference
between countries. In this case, one of them should make the necessary
adjustments to pave the way for a successful communication. The third mode of
communication is audio. Audio means transmitted sound. It is very useful when
a person cannot be contacted or is not online, a voice message or voice mail can
be sent but the downside of this mode is not being able to see the body language
or cues of the person you are talking to. The audio communication mode is quite
difficult especially if you are listening to people with different accents. The fourth
and last mode is text-based communication such as e-mail, facsimile, text
messaging, and instant messaging, examples are sites like Facebook, Twitter
and Instagram. While text-based communication mode does not originally
provide video and audio benefits, it has a wider reach and can disseminate
information to a bigger audience quickly.

2. What are the other forms or modes of communication that have not been discussed
and which have recently become part of virtual communication technology?

● Blogging, Streaming or Live videos in facebook are other modes of

communication that have not been discussed. Chat and multiplayer gaming apps
which used typewriting to send your messages. Handwriting which is always
used in elementary schools and literature which gives mirror to what is
happening in our society. Virtual reality is the most recent mode of
communication that is now known in our society.

3. Explain Diana Wheatley’s quote and give one illustration:

● Meaning is made in conversation - when a person enters a conversation, he/she
is sending his thoughts, emotions and opinions which the receiver will most likely
understand the message or meaning that the sender is trying to convey. Reality
is created in communication, saying that what we are trying to communicate
reflects the reality of the world we are living. And knowledge is generated through
social interaction which means that we give each other information while we are
communicating that help us to grow and have many experiences that will
increase our knowledge. Language is the vehicle through which we create our
understanding of the world, it states that without language we cannot understand
each other’s thoughts and the information that envelop our world. It is the most
important tool for us to have unity that will help every person in the world on how
to live appropriately and find solutions to the problems that we are always facing
in our lives.

4. As a speaker of English as a second language, what can you say about the difficulty
of other speakers in understanding the Philippine English variety that you use?

● The foreigners will find it difficult to understand and communicate in our way of
using English. When I was having an OJT at my school in grade 12, there are so
many more knowledge i need to be fully good at English because it is a very vast
language. Our facilitator teaches us on our pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary
and how to apply it in real life situations which I realize that back then we are not
really skilled and prepared to use English language to foreigners because there
are many mistakes in how we use it.

5. With the advent of computer-mediated communication or CMC, how can you be more
responsible with what you post in your own account as a way of conveying messages to
the audience?

● ust like the saying "Think before you click", we have to be prudent and imagine
the consequences of what we will post in our account, will it offend other people
because of its sensitive content just like how my friends block their social media
friends because of their political beliefs. In stating your opinion, make sure that it
will not hurt the feelings of others and I find it sad to see that they make fun of the
killings, condition and death of a person in social media. We need to have a good
reason to post in our account, also don't imitate those who put shame in their
identity to obtain fame.
Lesson 1: Describe the Nature, Elements, and Functions of Verbal and Non-verbal
Communication in Multicultural Context

1-2 What Pinoy English expressions from this video are familiar to you? Give at least 5.
In what instances have you used them? Recall these situations.

● Pinoy English Expressions that are familiar to me in Mikey Bustos video is the
expression of "I'll pass by" which me and my friends always use when we agree
to meet up in a specific location, telling them: "Sige, dadaan nalang ako diyan sa
inyo."
● Another one of the expressions mentioned in the video is "for a while" which I
always use when I'm answering a call from a person who wants to talk to
someone else.
● I also use the expression "I'll go ahead" when I need to go quickly to my
destination or I get tired of waiting and desire to go there first.
● The expression "close and open the lights'' and even "kill the lights" are always
used by my family, particularly my mother who always gets angry and shouts at
us when she is sleeping while we are turning on the lights.
● I also hear and use "So Blurry" in my elementary and highschool days when it's
hard to see the lessons written on the board.
● Other Pinoy English expression that is familiar to me is the "can you vulcanize
this?" which I use when I need to pump up my ball so it can dribble well.
● "Sigh, Brownout again, curse you Meralco", "It's always traffic here" which should
be specific because traffic is only the flow of vehicles moving along a route.

3. Comment on the main point of Bustos’s video about how we have different ways of
using
English based on our contexts.

● It's pretty hilarious and normal to have these kind of ways in using English
because when you are ignorant or you haven't learned the rules, grammars and
other figure of speech, there is no other way but to translate it directly word by
word which can have different meanings to what you are really trying to express.
It may cause a misunderstanding but not in a huge way that it will result in a fight
and can easily explain properly, it is common because of cultural barriers and
other types of language barriers.
Lesson 2: The Impact of Cultural and Global Issues on Communication

1. According to Samuel Harris, what is the definition of Islam?

● Harris explained, "Islam is not a race, ethnicity, or nationality: It's a set of ideas.
Religious differ, and their specific differences matter." Same as Christians, it is
an idea of having a relationship with God or the Trinity, it's a belief, not an innate
physical attribute and appearances, we can all be Islam despite our differences if
we believe in it, there's no specific requirement. He also claimed and deny this at
his own peril, "And the truth is Islam has doctrines regarding jihad, martyrdom,
apostasy, etc., that pose a special problem to the civilized world at this moment
in history". Christians and Islam have similarity with their books, the Bible and
Quran, which also include killings and sufferings because of sins and other
questionable topics so we cannot conclude that Islam is a threat in our world and
for us Christians.

2. Enumerate the possible origins of the term Islamophobia as discussed by Basu.

Possible Origins of the term "Islamophobia"

1. A series of studies in the 1990s by the Runnymede Trust, a left-learning British think
tank.
2. A 1997 report entitled, "Islamophobia: A Challenge for Us All" documented "closed"
views of Islam in the U.K
3. Alain Quellien's use of the French word Islamophobia in 1910 to criticize French
colonial administrators for their treatment of Muslim subjects.
4. Port-colonial theorist Edward Said, when he wrote in 1985 about 'the connection ...
between Islamophobia and antisemitism'.
5. Nathan Lean, author of The Islamophobia Industry.

3. Explain why the term Islamophobia is problematic. Cite the paragraphs that support
your
answer.
● Paragraph 1: When i recently asked Sam Harris what he thought of the word
‘Islamophobia’, he directed me to a tweet that noted the following:
“Islamophobia. A word created by fascist, & used by cowards, to manipulate
morons.”
Islamophobia is problematic because it used by fascist and government leaders
to manipulate their nation and people, so that they can disregard the important
issue that they are facing and making a scene to get distracted and blame the
Islam for terrorist acts such as what Trump and Bush did to cause mass hysteria
by starting an Iraq war.
● Paragraph 2: “Islam is not a race, ethnicity or nationality: It’s a set of ideas,”
Harris told me. “Criticism of these ideas should never be confused with an
animus towards people. And yet it is. I’m convinced that this is often done
consciously, strategically, and quite cynically as a means of shutting down
conversation [on] important topics.”
Islam is a set of ideas and specific differences matter, it is not a reason to have
an ethnocentrism or become a racist and feel an animosity toward a particular
person or a group. Do not generalize all muslim as terrorist because only few of
them believe that they should start a holy war for these are the things they
understand in their doctrines. Imagine the feeling of being in their shoes, being
judged by other people to something you actually didn't know is a pain.
● Paragraph 7: “In its earliest historical usage, the term, ‘Islamophobia’ described
prejudice and hostility towards Muslims - not an ‘irrational fear of Islam.” Nathan
Lean, author of The Islamophobia Industry, told me, “Critics of the term often
lambast it on the basis of an etymological deficiency, insisting that it thwarts the
possibility id critiquing Islam as a religion while simultaneously suggesting the
presence of a mental disorder on the part of those who do. The paragraph shows
how the term “Islamophobia” has been misinterpreted by some of the authors
that lead to confusion and perflexes of the real definition of the word
“Islamophobia”. With this misunderstanding, it can harm the Muslim communities
and give the readers a wrong impression on the religion of Islam.

4. How does the article explain the relevance of bigotry in understanding the meaning of
the
term Islamophobia?
● Bigotry is defined in the Merriam Webster as “an obstinate or intolerant devotion
to one’s own opinions and prejudices: the state of mind of a bigot or one who
regards or treats the members of a group (such as a racial or ethnic group) with
hatred and intolerance”.
Reza Asian said that bigotry is supportive to the term “Islamophobia” because
bigotry is a result of fear which people always see in social media that really lead
to mass hysteria and a close minded thinking that because the terrorist who
attacks their nation are Muslim and most of them are Islams, we will generalize
all Muslims as rebels and threat to our own nation too, giving them a look of
distrust and disgust which also result to discrimination.

Lesson 3: Varieties and Registers of Spoken and Written English

1. How does the writer begin the essay? What do you call this technique?

● Matthew Sutherland begins the essay by point-by-point organization, examining

comparable features for first one subject and then the other. The technique is
called Comparison and Contrast essay which the writer creates paragraphs that
explores the similarities and differences between the two or more items, ideas,
trends, works, etc. The essay always talks about the differences of how Filipinos
use the English language and compares it to how the British or American use
English giving the definition of the expression on both sides.

2. What does “idiosyncratic” mean? In what way is English language used in the
Philippines “idiosyncratic”? Give examples from text.

● Idiosyncratic is defined by Merriam Webster as "a peculiarity of constitution or

temperament: an individualizing characteristic or quality". Yes, because the use
of English language in the phillipines may sounds strange to foreigners and
cause misunderstanding, particularly the word "salvage" which is similar to
saving someone while our definition of that word is the opposite of it which is to
brutally torture or kill someone. But some of the examples are over dramatic, like
the "watch your steps' ' which should not be included because it is irrelevant like
the way he defined how Filipinos use it.

3. Why do you think Filipinos use the English Language differently?

● I think there are many reasons why Filipinos use English language differently
such as to make it convenient for the speaker to send his message directly and
some of us have a low vocabulary and low knowledge of grammar rules so we
tend to translate filipino to english in word by word which disregards the rules of
grammar.

4. How do you describe the writer’s attitude toward the way Filipinos use English?
Consider his context as a foreigner?
● Based on the essay and link that I read, I can say that he ridiculed the skills of
Filipinos in using English making a worst case scenario of the "I'll go ahead"
expression that resulted in filing a lawsuit which he later told that it was a joke. In
some of the comments in the link, Matthew Sutherland's articles and works
include on how he feels negatively about filipino dishes and how filipino name
their kids and children.

Enrichment, “Don’t judge my African American English”

1. What is the video about?

● The video is all about African Americans that have been judged by society as
thugs, gangsters or uneducated because of how they improperly use English
language and slang words. Making them feel that they do not belong to the
society or not smart and treating them as the bad ones or gangsters in the
streets.

2. Describe the features of African American English based on what the different
speakers shared and showed in the video.

● Based on the different speakers shown in the video, they describe African
American English as an inferior English which they label the people who use it as
uneducated, immoral, thugs, gangster or unsuccessful. Other speakers said that
it is a form of expression and individuality to express themselves in a unique way
and how the people grow in this kind of environment. Perceptual barrier is shown
in the video in the part where the guy give an example of a situation where
someone is being interviewed in a job and they felt disgusted when he use a
slang word.

3. In what way is African American English both a form of rebellion and expression?

● For me, i think it is normal and only a form of expression just like how Filipinos
have "balbal" it may sound like a disgrace to the original language, however, our
world is constantly changing same as other language, we are a hungry animal,
we always expect for something new that's why they should not be treated as
uneducated or immoral because it's there unique way to express themselves and
live life to the fullest.

4. One of the speakers in the video said, “Grammar is a big thing in this society.”
Explain what she means by citing examples.
● Yes, I agree that Grammar is a big thing in their society and our society like our
employer and school's perception that when you're good at english, you have a
potential and an intelligent person, while to those who are not skillful at using the
English language their expectation are low because of the effects of
globalization, we need to compete from other countries to boost our economy
and having a vast understanding of English language is an advantage.

5. How is African American English judged by our society? Do you share the same
observation? Support your answer.

● The society treat them as an inferior and unskilled people who gives disgrace to
their Identity or language just like how bad people are deviant to the customs and
norms. I think that this situation actually happen in the philippines, where the
poor and what they called "iskwater" make inappropriate use and invent words of
Filipino language such as jejemon, gaylinggo and etc. With this growing use of
social media, the perfectionist or Grammar nazis are now spreading and putting
those slight mistakes as shameful and telling them to not use the English
language ever again.

6. What is the purpose of the video? What message does it convey to its viewers?

● The purpose of the video is to not judge the African American English in how
they express themselves in the society they lived in. It is not right to put African
American English as a reason that will trigger their mind to perceive them as
uneducated and a bad person. Our world always changes just like our culture so
the way they express themselves and live happily in an environment should not
be degraded by people who are perfectionists and those who like to discriminate
against other people.

Essay

The ways on how Filipinos use English language in Philippine pop culture
depends on the trends or popular issues in social media. They use it to express their
interest, feelings and opinions to other country’s pop culture and trends. For example,
the use of hashtags to express their opinion on the current issue like how the
government is handling our country in the midst of the pandemic and to send their
critique on the movies, series, animes, people and etc. as long as it is popular in social
media. Creation of memes to criticize people on how they use English language and
other funny things which can also go popular to other people in the country that shows
relation to their post. Some of the ways and reasons we are using the English language
in our pop culture is to narrow the gap and catch up to the rapid changes in our world
because the English language is also used as a competition to other countries. More
people from other countries means more money or profit to help our economy and to
have similar shows and movies that will represent our country to other nations.
Unfortunately, you will see that most Filipinos use the English language incorrectly and
still think that they are doing it right. In our Philippine pop culture, the use of Taglish or
Tagalog-English becomes a trend when Kris Aquino gives an example on how she
combine the two languages which is now mostly used by some people here in the
Philippines