Language And Nonverbal Interaction In A Conversation

Introduction

This research evaluates the second episode of Blacklist Season 7 called 'Louis T. Steinhil: The Conclusion.' This evaluation involved the identification and analysis of two language concepts that are happening within the interaction of the characters. It also includes the identification and analysis of two valuable nonverbal codes that are operating during the interaction of the characters. This paper then explains how the nonverbal and language issues that this study employed are working together to generate a valuable effect on the characters.

The selected scene for this analysis is the first scene when Raymond Reddington is inside a dark warehouse. The scene implied that Katarina chain-linked Raymond because she wants to acquire vital information from him. On the other hand, Red is quickly losing his blood because Katarina wanted to torture him. The characters employed language concepts and non-verbal codes to communicate their message effectively to each other.

Professional jargon is one of the language concepts that Katarina used in this episode. It pertains to a complicated language that experts often use in a specific discipline or field. Some people might confuse jargon and slang since the latter is a casual language that a specific group of people is using. Professional jargon is a formal language, which professional or occupational groups used. It is often useful for a particular profession, but outsiders consider it meaningless (Nordquist, 2019). In this scene, exsanguination is the professional jargon.

The word 'exsanguination' is a professional jargon of medical-services providers. Doctors defined as the draining of blood or in layman's term, bleeding-out. Along with the professional jargon, Katarina also explained to Red how her way of torture would kill him. She described in detail how much blood would be needed to kill him. The reason why Katarina used medical terms for explaining her way of torture is unknown. She could have used layman's terms. However, the scene has two potential reasons. The first one is to demonstrate to Red her knowledge about human anatomy as well as ways how to torture a person using what she knew about human anatomy. The second potential reason is that she wants to describe clearly to her enemy how he would die.

Another language concept that the characters used is powerful vs. powerless speech. Speakers use powerless speech if they want to gain sympathy and display empathy. Powerless speech often involves words that display a lack of confidence, low status, insufficient knowledge, or low status. Polite forms of speech such as 'please' and 'thank you for your attention' also belong to the powerless speech category. Other examples of powerless speech include hedges and disclaimers. Hedges are words that demonstrate uncertainty, such as 'maybe' and 'unsure.' Speech hesitations are also part of powerless speech since it displays a lack of confidence (Ciulla, 2008; Priest, 2013). Both characters used specific degrees of powerless speech.

Unlike the powerless speech, powerful speech communicates expertise and self-confidence. It also gives the audience an impression of credibility, high-status, and honesty. A powerful speech is more persuasive than the powerless counterpart. The speech is less personal than its powerless counterpart. It also displays authority and power (Ciulla, 2008; Priest, 2013). Red and Katarina used specific degrees of powerful speech.

Katarina only used powerless speech minimally while Red mainly focused on using powerless speech and employed a powerful language at the end. She employed powerful language while communicating her medical knowledge regarding the torture against Red. Katarina ensured to him that she knows what she was doing and the consequences of the torture. In other words, she demonstrated that given Red's condition, she could do what she wants to him.

However, Katarina employed a powerless language when she showed her empathy towards Red. She claimed that doing the torture was not easy for her and asked Red to cooperate. When he refused, Katarina proceeded to use the powerful language again by asking Red a question whether those secrets are worth dying for, and then he has to prove it. He persuaded Red to prove the worth or the value of his secrets.

In the first part of the scene, Reddington does not have enough energy because his body was bleeding out. He apologized to Katarina making her situation hard. A remorseful statement is an example of a powerless language. However, he communicated a powerful speech to her by refusing to answer her inquiries.

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Both the characters employed non-verbal codes when they communicated to each other. The first non-verbal code is called the Paralanguage. This non-verbal code pertains to volume, pitch, speech rate, fluency, accent, and modulation. Some researchers also consider facial expressions, hand gestures, eye movements, and other non-vocal phenomena (Shah, 2014; Samovar, Porter, and McDaniel, 2009).

In the first scene, Katarina employed a low-volume in explaining what is happening to Red. The volume was enough to be heard by Red. However, the intonation and volume of her voice increased when she argued that he betrayed her. The volume, tone, and intonation of her voice showed she is angry for what Reddington did to her. The speed of his and her voice was sufficient enough to deliver the message.

However, Reddington's speech is slower compared to Katarina because Reddington does not feel well due to the torture. Katarina also effectively articulated her message to Red, displaying her confidence and power of her victim (Shah, 2014; Samovar, Porter, and McDaniel, 2009). In some cases, Red's articulation is not clear because he felt lightheaded as the result of the drainage of blood from his body.

Proxemics is another non-verbal code, which pertains to the distance or space when people interact (Hadad, Doherty, and Purtilo, 2019). Hadad, Doherty, and Purtilo (2019) claimed that height and distance are the two essential components of proxemics. In the Blacklist episode, the characters employed distance as one of their non-verbal cues. Hadad, Doherty, and Purtilo (2019) argued that distance consists of four-types. The first one is the 'intimate distance' that involves direct contact such as comforting, protecting, lovemaking, and playing rugby or wresting. The second kind is the 'personal distance' that ranges from 1 to 4 feet. People who interact at a personal distance often discuss personal interests. Physical contact, such as hitting another person or holding hands, is possible. Social distance can range from four to 12 feet. Formal Business and social discourse conversations usually employ social distance. Public distance ranges from 12 to 25 or higher. Physical contact is absent, but direct eye contact can be possible.

In the episode of Blacklist, the physical distance between Red and Katarina is around 1 to 4 feet. They have personal distance between because they are discussing personal interests. It is also possible for Katarina to hit Red whenever possible to show her anger towards him.

The personal distance between the two made it possible for them to discuss own interests. They do not have to increase the volume of their voices. However, Katarina changed the volume, intonation, and tone of her voice when she insisted that Red betrayed her. The change of her Paralanguage intends to display her anger and disappointment towards her tormented victim. The articulation of her speech and the use of professional jargon also demonstrate her confidence and honesty, which are valuable components of a powerful language. Eventually, she changed the tone, intonation, and volume of her voice to show her empathy towards her victim. Even though she demonstrated a powerless speech to convince her victim to cooperate with her, she shifted her language into a more powerful one. The main reason is to communicate her stance against the victim's decision.

Conclusion

The characters of the Blacklist episode employed language concepts and non-verbal codes to communicate their messages effectively to each other.

Professional jargon is a complicated language concept that experts often use in a specific discipline or field. In this scene, Katarina used medical jargon. Speakers use powerless speech if they want to gain sympathy and display empathy. Unlike the powerless speech, powerful speech communicates expertise and self-confidence. It also gives the audience an impression of credibility, high-status, and honesty. Both characters used specific degrees of powerless and powerful speech. Powerful and powerless communications are language concepts.

Proxemics and Paralanguage are non-verbal codes. Their proxemics or the personal distance between the two made it possible for them to discuss personal interests. They do not have to increase the volume of their voices. However, Katarina changed her Paralanguage, including the volume, intonation, and tone of her voice when she insisted that Red betrayed. The change of her Paralanguage intends to display her anger and disappointment towards her torture victim. The articulation of her speech and the use of professional jargon also demonstrate her confidence and honesty, which are valuable components of a powerful language. Eventually, she changed the tone, intonation, and volume of her voice to show her empathy towards her victim. Even though she demonstrated a powerless speech to convince her victim to cooperate with her, she shifted her language into a more powerful one. The main reason is to communicate her stance against the victim's decision.

References

1. Ciulla, J.B. (2008). Leadership at the Crossroads. London: Praeger
2. Hadad, A., Doherty, R., and Purtilo, R., (2019). Respectful Communications in an Information Age. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/proxemics
3. Nordquist, R. (2019). Definition and Examples of Jargon. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-jargon-1691202
4. Priest, C. (2013). Powerful vs., Powerless Speech. Retrieved from https://prezi.com/rqck3s_wy6uj/powerful-vs-powerless-speech/
5. Samovar, L.A., Porter, R.E., and McDaniel, E.R. (2009). Communication Between Cultures. Boston: Cengage Learning
6. Shah, M. (2014). Paralinguistics. Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/meet3012/paralinguistics-42525723