Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational Modes of Communication

Exploring Culture

Below are two assignment where I summarized my cultural exploration of a Spanish speaking nation: Spain. The first entry is about a person universally admired by the people of Madrid, the capital city of Spain, and the latter traverses the modern practices of the “siestas” in the nation of Spain.

“La persona admirada que escogí es de España; Magistrada jubilada y ex alcaldesa de Madrid Manuela Carmena. Como jueza, se destacó por luchar contra la corrupción en el sistema judicial y en 1986 ganó el Premio Nacional de Derechos Humanos. Después de jubilarse, Manuela se involucró en la política como parte del Partido Socialista Obrero Español donde ganó un mandato como alcaldesa de Madrid.”-Issac Camberos

“La regió que elegí para investigar es España. Una Encuesta de 2017 informa que solo 48 por ciento de la población española toma siesta. Un dia laboral típico comienza entre las 8:00 y las 9:00, un descanso de dos horas al mediodia (algunos toman siestas) y luego vuelve al trabajo hasta las 17:00-21:00. El deseo por menos horas de trabajo ha disminuido la práctica de la siesta en España.”-Issac Camberos

Through these two narrow topics of cultural exploration I was able to understand the Spanish people of Madrid hold deep admiration for public figures who are willing to speak openly and oppose corruption in the nation, and work to implement a more just judicial system. Through the exploration of modern practices of the “siesta” I shed light on the stereotype the nations who practice it are generally lazy. I found the opposite tone true. Nations were the “siesta” is common practice have business who remain open longer, well into the night to accommodate a larger percentage of the population.

Engaging in Communities

Engaging in our community is how we grow to better understand the world around us. Through community engagement we realize differences unmoving cultures as well as what connects us all as people of the world. We draw value of understanding and compassion as well as understanding ourselves better when we engage communities outside of our own.

“Tuve la oportunidad de vivir en España por un año. En mi experiencia, las personas respetan las diferencias de cultura y te dan la mano si notan que eres de los Estados Unidos. Al mismo tiempo, he conocido Europeos en Los Estados y les he dado un beso porque sé que es apropiado. Dar un beso como saludo puede crear una conexión instantánea. Dar la mano es más formal. “-Issac Camberos

Above is entry I made in my Spanish 101 class on the topic of greeting in other cultures. The assignment was to analyze a casual encounter of three people from a Latin country meeting for the first time. I observed differences in greetings such as kissing on the cheek and a more informal dialogue than that observed in the United States. I highlighted my understanding of this culture difference through my personal experiences from travels to the country of Spain. I learned that there is no one way of personal interactions that are better than the other and more intimate greeting can create connections more easily between friends.

Interpersonal Communication

In English, give a very brief 3-4-line description of TalkAbroad and other interpersonal oral/audio activities, discussion board and other interpersonal writing/reading activities you completed this semester inside or outside of class for or related to your Spanish learning. (See Modes of Communication link for definition and examples).

Then, in a short paragraph or two, write a reflection that includes each type of the interpersonal (spontaneous, unplanned) communication activities: telecollaborative (TalkAbroad) conversations, discussion board posts, and any other interpersonal exchange.  Explain how you’ve grown with each assignment/activity. What was difficult and how did you overcome that difficulty? What did you excel at and why/how? What/how did you learn from it and would you do differently next time?

Presentational Speaking

The video below highlights my presentational speaking proficiency on the topic of locations on my university campus. I selected three places where I spend most my time and where I like to eat.

Through this course in Spanish 101 my ability to recall Spanish words was challenged. I have a familiar understanding of the Spanish language but have occasional diffulties with finding the words to express myself. In order to overcome this I practice my presentations in Spanish to my non-Spanish speaking spouse to work through some of the nerves and work on my recall and repetition of Spanish words.

Presentational Writing

In English, give a very brief 2-3-line description of the presentational communication of compositions, pamphlets, blogs, flyers, stories, articles, and any other written presentation activities you completed this semester inside or outside of class for or related to your Spanish learning. Include a copy of a written presentational activity you produced? (See Modes of Communication link for description and examples).

Two assignment for Spanish 101 called on me to conduct research utilizing resources in Spanish to describe a celebration in a Latin country and compare a Latin University webpage to my own University’s. I used my analytical skills to conduct the search in Spanish and extract information to describe where, when and how the celebration is conducted and how a Spanish university webpage compares to my own. Each is shown below respectively.

“La fiesta que mas me llamo la atencion se celebra el último miércoles de cada mes de Agosto. Es La Fiesta de La Tomatina, celebrada en la ciudad de Buñol. En esta fiesta, los participantes se reúen en el centro de la ciudad para una pelea de comida. Y los tomates son el arma preferida. Me interesó más porque no es político ni religioso. Es una fiesta solo por diversion. Por lo que pude encontrar en internet, no existe una fiesta igual en los Estados Unidos. Mi celebración favorita es el cuarto jueves de cada mes de Noviembre. Es el “Thanksgiving” o  Dia del Pavo. Me encanta esta celebración porque es una excusa para reunirnos en familia y deleitarnos con una rica comida. El dia se celebra reuniédose con familiares y amigos para cocinar una gran comida, con pavo como atracción principal, y comenzando la cena conuna delaración de agradecimiento.”-Issac Camberos

“La universidad que elegí para investigar es la Universidad Complutense Madrid (UCM). Las páginas web de la UCM y ODU son muy similares. Ambas páginas destacan los acontecimientos actuales en la universidad. Las dos páginas destacan las admisiones, los servicios y la vida universitaria. Algunas diferencias son el diseño general del sitio web. la página de la UCM es más sencilla y la de ODU más audaz.”-Issac Camberos

Through my research in this course I have learned that Latin countries have many differences and also share many of the same values. Mainly having fun, emphasis on education, and a focus on connecting with those around you. Through this assignment I realized growth in understanding of the Spanish culture as both my topics where focused in Spain. The first was the world famous “Fiesta de La Tomatina” what we recognize as the Spanish tomato fight in the streets of Buñol, Spain. While researching this, I learned that the annual celebration is held to commemorate the harvest season and is just plain fun. My second research topic was a comparison of the University of Madrid. Through this I learned that the emphasis on education around the globe is universal. I am becoming more proficient at analyzing spanish text and now am better able to extract information from various resources. I was difficult to start my research as I had little experience but am sure I have gotten better through these assignments.

Interpretive Listening

In English, give a very brief 2-3-line description of interpretive listening activities you completed this semester for or related to your Spanish learning. (See Modes of Communication link for description and examples).

In this course I completed a conversation with my partner about the favorite and least favorite people in our lives.

In this assignment I had to listen to my conversational partner, Trey, talk about his least and most favorite person in his life. I then shared my least and most favorite person. We then described and compared some similarities and difference between the two. It was challenging to listen to my partner describe the people in his life and then draw similarities/differences between the two. What is not shown in the recording is how my partner and I discussed the people we were sharing prior to the Spanish conversation so that we had an understanding prior to recording the dialogue. This prior work helped immensely with the project and shows the value of doing some research on a given topic. I learned that listening paired with reading a persons facial expressions carries a strong message and language transfers easier when you look and listen.

Interpretive Reading

In this assignment I was to analyze, interpret, and recreate a nomination letter to present an award to a deserving person in my life. Below is my submission for nomination of my father as “Best Person Award”

Then, write a short reflection paragraph that includes the activities you described above. What was unclear or challenging for you? How did you overcome this difficulty? What did you find most interesting or compelling? What was your takeaway from the reading? How have you grown with each assignment?

This was perhaps the most challenging assignment yet. I required my to critically think and extract information from a sample letter and apply what I have learned thus far to nominate a deserving person for an award. This assignment was critical to get correct because when applied in a real life circumstance it effects others rather than myself. It was valuable to understand how to write these type of letters as I will be seeking a career working along side international companies, hopefully based in a Spanish speaking nation.