How much is communication of information the main purpose of speech? I can think of other reasons to speak:
1. We talk to signal loyalty, or disloyalty.
2. We talk to bond with others.
3. We talk because we are not very self-aware and we need an audience if we are to learn our own thoughts or make up our minds. Clark Durant points to Hamlet.
4. We talk so people may judge us, leading to efficient sorting.
5. We talk to see who will leave the room.
6. We talk because we are restless, nervous, or bored. Speech may relieve anxiety, or give the pretense of doing so.
Of course it depends on context, but I’ll put information communication at no more than fifteen percent of our chatter.
Are you thinking of “we” as he or she?
I heard Steven Pinker talk about this very issue during an episode of Discovery’s, “Evolution”. I think Pinker put the percentage around 30%, but I could easily be mistaken. I know he addresses this issue though.
I second David Sucher’s comment. (Didn’t he play Hercule Poirot on TV?) Consider Erving Goffman’s distinction between the messages we intend to “give” (through explicit meanings) and those we intend to “give off” (through non-explicit meanings).
A great list (that could be edited to read “Why We Blog” as well). One point I’d add is that Mises deals with this topic, albeit in more general terms, in Human Action (chapter 4).
When in the Alaskan bush, we talk to keep grizzly bears away.
You left out an important reason, or wraped it in a touchy feely context in 3. When trying to solve a complex problem, explaining it to someone and answering questions clarifies your thinking. This is one reasons researchers are more productive when working in teams.
Gentleman: [speaking of Ophelia]
She speaks much of her father; says she hears
There’s tricks i’ th’ world; and hems, and beats her heart;
Spurns enviously at straws, speaks things in doubt
That carry but half sense. Her speech is nothing,
Yet the unshaped use of it doth move
The hearers to collection. They aim at it,
And botch the words up fit to their own thoughts;
Which, as her winks and nods and gestures yield them
Indeed would make one think there might be thought,
Though nothing sure, yet much unhappily.
—William Shakespeare
Hamlet 4-1:4
You forgot at least one, talking to effect action.
I agree that on main point is that we talk to effect action. Almost every word out of our mouth has a reason behind it for and action we desire. Many of the other reasons we talk are very true. However the underlying reasons for our verbal communication is to gain a response. This is not just limited to verbal responses but also physical communication. Communication is not justlimited to talking but to many other factors such as facial tone, how you carry yourself, etc.
Some people just love words. They read as much as possible, they like to listen to speakers who are gifted orators, they write for fun regardless of whether or not it will be published, and they will talk your ear off if given the chance, but not necessarily “just to be heard.”
They would rather inter into discourse than just speak, and once they realize that their listener will not be interjecting anything, they will break off the conversation and seek out a more worthy listener or even opponent.
we talk to entertain…sometimes others, and always ourselves.
Just imagine your life without communication. It would be dull,meaningless, and just plain boring. Making Facial expressions is even a way of communication. If no one could speak or interact then our life would be pointless. The way that we communicate reflects our personality and makes us feel like a person. We tell people our opinions, we have certain accents that show a background of where we are from. Communication is very important. There are many more reasons other than the 6 reasons mentioned on why we talk.
Another reason is to have someone else to help you remember the important things – sort of like backing up data to an external drive. Whenever I’ve spent long periods in relative solitude, my memory went to hell.
This is a very interesting article, because it is essantial to every living Human and individual in the society. Talking does a lot more than people think it does, and i think we take the ability to talk for granted. Until one has the abilty to talk taken away from them they never understand how important it is.
Hello!
very nice post… enjoyed it very much.
Thank you
http://www.best-tutor.com
good site
tutor
tutor
Comments on this entry are closed.