Symbolic Language Experiment

Part 1:

Carrying on a conversation without the use of symbolic language is more difficult than it would seem. At first, it was a novelty, trying to figure out the most effective way to communicate without violating the rules. The conversations were difficult to maintain, as I could not fully articulate my side, leaving the other party laboring to keep the discussion from dying.

The first attempt at this experiment was frustrating for my partner. She grew weary of trying to translate and interpret my movements as I attempted to answer questions and respond to her queries. She adapted to my communication limitations and began using hand signals and motioning in conjunction with her speech, which demonstrated a willingness to be flexible in order to be understood. The control of the conversation undoubtedly belonged to my partner. A new topic or subject only came from my partner, and therefore, the power was firmly in her grasp. She would ask questions, and being limited in my ability to communicate, I was subjected to primitive answers without truly being able to express much more than yes or no.

Imagining that we each represented different cultures, those with the ability to use spoken or symbolic language would definitely have the advantage over those that cannot express complex ideas. The ability to articulate exactly what one intends to communicate is a clear point of differentiation. There was an air of superiority coming from my partner in the conversation, and a feeling that she could take the discussion in whatever direction she wanted. I surmise that the environmental pressures that led our hominid ancestors to adapt to communicate verbally would naturally create a separation from those that did not undergo the same or similar adaptation, leading to the extinction of the latter. I think, perhaps, the inequality in access to education in our country could be seen as a reflection of this dynamic. Those who have had the privilege of receiving a higher education oftentimes look down on those who have not had the same experience.  This clearly defined line of separation can lead to animosity and distrust between the two groups, furthering the aforementioned separation.

Part 2:

The experiment that prohibited the use of body language, inflection, and facial expressions was not as difficult as the previous exercise which limited symbolic speech. The value of being able to vocalize, I believe, is far more valuable, even if it cannot be accompanied by expressions and body language. While there was some difficulty in deciphering my intentions and emotions associated with my words, my opinion was understood by my conversation partner.

The importance of the use of signs in our communications cannot be overstated. In a given conversation, the body language, inflection, intonation, expressions, and gestures all play a role in how our words are both delivered and received. Crossed arms, a furrowed brow, short/harsh answers, and quick responses can all be interpreted in a negative way, and provide more context to the words that are being spoken. Conversely, a smile, a raised brow, and an occasional nod could be indications that our words are being understood and received positively.

The ability to observe and understand non-verbal communication such as facial expressions and body language are a very important adaptive trait. Understanding intention and being able to identify deception would have been major factors in the survival of our early hominid forebears, and still play a major role in the success of our species. If a rival or competing group offered to share its resources, one could observe body language and expressions of not only the speaker, but also of the bystanders to better inform his opinion and decision, potentially avoiding a trap or ambush.

Reading body language is not inherent in everyone. Individuals with Autism often have trouble recognizing emotion, and they tend to focus on the words being spoken rather than the manner in which they are delivered. I think that this genetic mutation would pose problems to members of a more primitive society, where this trait would be seen as a weakness that should be exploited. Body language can also be unreliable. Pick pockets, illusionists, and magicians have been using sleight of hand and intentional misdirection through body language for as long as they have been around. Ignoring the body language and focusing on the verbal communication is useful in avoiding deception.