Would you communicate without speech?

[Nerys Ghemor]

Totally weird question time...

Assuming society were more accommodating of the choice and nobody would discriminate or comment on it in cases where there is not a medically established reason for it, would you choose to communicate by writing instead of speech in the majority of cases? Why or why not?

 

[shivkala]

No. First, it's more time consuming to communicate by writing. Second, by doing so you miss out on the non-verbal communication happening alongside the verbal communication. Tone of voice, posture, gestures, etc. add so much to the conversation.

While I do laugh at times while reading something, it really takes me looking at someone to laugh. A joke written on the internet is never as funny to me as one told in person. Hell, even a bad joke told well is funnier in person than a good joke written well.

Likewise, a sad story is always more heartbreaking when you can hear the tremors in the person's voice telling it, see them fighting tears, etc.

 

[auntiehill]

Well, many of us already do. We come here and communicate by writing, we send emails and text messages, etc. I wouldn't mind if more emphasis was given to written communication, but I would still expect a human being, say across the table from me at dinner, to put their phone down and talk to me face to face.

But I love it when I can just email a company, rather than have to call. If I have a simple question for my boss or co-workers, I just send an email because it's faster, easier and prevents me from losing too much time during my shift. But I have co-workers/supervisees who call me with the dumbest damn questions, rather than look it up themselves. They'd rather talk to me than read an email or go to the webpage. It irritates me sometimes, but I also understand that it's nice to have a little human interaction every now and then.

 

[scotpens]

I'd give up speaking for a specified length of time if it meant winning a lot of money, like the guy in that Twilight Zone episode “The Silence.”

I've also thought it would be interesting and fun to learn American Sign Language. Especially how to curse in it.

 

[Jetfire]

Gestures & looks. I hate to write stuff down.

 

[TorontoTrekker]

But I have co-workers/supervisees who call me with the dumbest damn questions, rather than look it up themselves. They'd rather talk to me than read an email or go to the webpage.

As a web developer, especially one who's spent time in the last couple of months revamping my employer's sites, I can tell you that a lot of information doesn't actually get posted on corporate websites. Sometimes it's just faster to ask the person who knows the answer than it is to look around a website trying to find it.

But since I frequently exchange emails with two people at work who sit three and ten feet away from me, I'm not sure that my opinion on this topic matters much.

I like email because, assuming I get the response to my question the same way, I can refer back to it later. I can't commit everything to memory - I just have too much to remember to be able to do that easily.

And if I had the time, I'd love to learn ASL. I was in a play about 20 years ago in which an entire scene had an ASL translator - she even had her own jokes in the script. (One of her lines was "Who wrote this dialogue, anyway? It's terrible!") Plus, ASL translators make good money - I tried to hire some for the 2003 Worldcon, and I couldn't afford it on my budget. (Maybe when I retire... but given how bad my hearing is right now, I'll probably be relying on ASL by then anyway.)

 

[Thestral]

As great as written communication is, nothing will ever replace the human voice (along with the aforementioned nonverbal stuff).

 

[trampledamage]

I could replace speech with writing, but I couldn't cope without words. I don't do well at interpreting gestures - so I drive my kids crazy by not getting what they're pantomiming and they drive me crazy by continuing to do it "Speak!" is an oft-stated command in this house.

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

I already do. I have never been a verbal person and I am honestly not very good at talking(well I am probably better than I give myself credit for, but I am not very good at long, spontaneous conversations). I imagine there are some days when I don't talk at all(that's mostly of course when my anxiety and/or depression keeps me indoors all day though). That is the main reason why I am here at places like this. It is the only way I can really communicate with the outside world and express opinions(even though nobody reads them). I met my girlfriend through writing on-line and I think that is something I still couldn't do face-to-face(so if my GF died it would be much easier if one of you became my new girlfriend). I'd much rather send an e-mail than pick up a phone. Even face-to-face I rely on non-verbal communication so much I even find myself doing it on the phone. If the world suddenly went mute I'd be a much happier person. well maybe because I'd get elected king or something.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

I think that if we were on a planet where it was basically a normal choice that some people made, I probably would switch to mostly writing, with the spoken word reserved for simple things that don't require a whole lot of thought. I find that I don't communicate what I want all that well--at least, when it comes to more detailed information--by speaking at all, unless it's something very rehearsed. In writing my thoughts flow...they aren't inhibited, and it's far easier to make a clear, coherent point. I think it surprises people if all they've seen are my e-mail postings and such, and then they hear me talk...it's definitely not the same. Even with the relative delay involved in writing, if I had something of substance to say I would definitely much rather be allowed to write it rather than speak it. (Of course, in this "ideal" world, people would take the time to read, and have much better reading comprehension!!!)

 

[scotpens]

I think it surprises people if all they've seen are my e-mail postings and such, and then they hear me talk...it's definitely not the same.

I'm not like that at all; the way I write is pretty much the way I speak. I'm always consciously editing my words just before they emerge from my mouth. Of course, sometimes I wish I could edit my words AFTER I've spoken them -- but we all have moments like that!

 

[SVD]

I have similar findings to some in this thread. I find myself a little more eloquent when writing posts and Emails than speaking, getting to refine what I say with respect to word choice and sentence structure before I "say" it by posting. Plus, I seem to get tongue tied at times.

Phone calls that are not for casual conversation I find difficult, having to spend a number of minutes mentally rehearsing what to say/ask.

 

[highlyillogical]

Interesting question, but no. part of communication is to recognize different tones in a person's voice and different gestures/facial expressions a person uses.

Plus, telling jokes wouldn't nearly be as funny.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

I think it surprises people if all they've seen are my e-mail postings and such, and then they hear me talk...it's definitely not the same.

I'm not like that at all; the way I write is pretty much the way I speak. I'm always consciously editing my words just before they emerge from my mouth.

I try to do that, but a lot of times it just makes what comes out a mess. It's very frustrating, for sure! At least when I write, I find I have far fewer problems in that regard.

I think what makes it even tougher is that I think in terms of written language rather than the spoken word--and often what looks good on paper and makes sense doesn't sound "natural" to people, so it's almost like I have a language barrier that I'm fighting all the time, to try and sound natural but still find a way to get my words together. With simple things it's not such a big deal, but with things that are complicated, it really is a pain.

 

[melancholymecha]

Im socially anxious & hate talking. So Id prefer writing. Ive often even wished something would happen to me that would cause me to suddenly become mute. Id finally have an excuse to not have to engage in conversations, which Im just no good at.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

I'd give up speaking for a specified length of time if it meant winning a lot of money, like the guy in that Twilight Zone episode “The Silence.”

WOW...I just watched that on YouTube last night. I thought it was going to be stupid, because I can't stand most black and white stuff--but that was AWESOME. I may have to check out some more Twilight Zone episodes.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

I answered "maybe somewhat". For me, it depends on the situation.

When being organized and articulate is important, I prefer communicating in writing. And I often prefer e-mail to the telephone, because it's often more efficient. For some things I like having a paper trail (or at least an e-trail) to go back to.

Sometimes I want to socialize with friends, and that involves a lot of speech. Sometimes I just like to hear the sound of my own voice. For conversation to be most intimate, I think it needs voice, eye contact and body language.

 

[SPCTRE]

No, definitely not. I like the sound of my own voice way too much

 

[K'Ehleyr]

It very much depends on the situation.
I work in 'the service industry' ~ I cook bacon sandwiches and make coffee for golfers! Some of whom I like and will chat away to, and some I don't. I'm always polite, sometimes maybe in a sarcastic way, but no offense ~ just the kind of 'I wish I had a different life' kind of way.

I love to chat face to face with whose company I enjoy.

I can phone best friends with problems and be on the phone for hours and are always there for them.

But with our way of living now, it's easier to facebook/email/tbbs and pick it up when you can.

I can take an evening making an Email to a friend ~ just to get it right.

 

[Marie1]

I'd write- I like hand writing, and I type really fast.