Presents a consumer's viewpoint of problems inherent in the use of interpretation to get deaf class members into the stream of vocally expressed communication, focusing on the kinds of misunderstandings that can arise when one language is expressed in the three dimensions of space and the other has only the dimensions of speech. (38 references)…

Colleges and educational administration departments can bridge the gap between professors and practitioners by employing professors with administrative experience, establishing clinically based sabbaticals, developing positions for clinical professors, and initiating publications focused on clinical issues. Also, practitioners should be involved…

When dealing with a real dispute based on conflicting goals rather than a misunderstanding, it is better to avoid multiple rounds of "clarifying communication." A better approach is to solicit the opposite party's concerns and critiques, thereby eliciting a sequence of constructive responses until agreement has been reached. Examples are provided.…

Parents' efforts to help their children learn are more important to academic success than the family's economic well-being. This article describes recent research affirming the importance of parent-school involvement and outlines strategies for removing barriers, weighing model programs, and constructing a program that stresses open communications…

Investigates whether variations in five audience characteristics (size, status, familiarity, similarity, and behavior) are related to audience anxiety. Supports the contention that the effect of situational factors are greatly tempered by an individual's predisposition to respond anxiously. Discusses instructional implications of these findings.…

Discusses the problems that have arisen in the workplace because of the fear of sexual harassment charges. Describes the gender communication training needed to build a climate of understanding and allow teamwork to flourish. (JOW)

Focuses on the communication instructor's role in helping students avoid or cope with relationship distress and dysfunctional domestic-communication patterns. Suggests interpersonal-communication instructors include units on destructive-relationship patterns, predictors of negative-relationship cycles, and skills training to correct these…

A study investigated the effectiveness of requests for clarification by 25 adults with hearing impairments and of partner responses in overcoming communication breakdowns. Nonspecific clarification requests, requests for the repetition of a specific constituent, and request for confirmation by participants with hearing losses were effective in…

Focuses on moral agency in contexts of oppression in a case study involving unintelligibility between two women who identify differently with respect to sexual preference. Demonstrates the similarity of intelligibility to an ethics of care through conceptual analysis, and considers ways that such moral learning is relevant to moral educators. (DSK)

Presents a follow-up study to further assess the extent to which reticent participants subscribe to beliefs outlined in prior research and to further test the ability of the Penn State program to alter those beliefs. Reveals significant pretreatment differences between reticent and comparison group participants on 7 of 16 beliefs. Shows…

Presents a theoretical statement on the nature of reticence that affirms, in part, Gerald M. Phillips' conceptualization in prior research but, grounded in new empirical data, refines and revises the construct. Proposes a new definition and a six-component model of reticence. Discusses theoretical and treatment implications. (SR)

Tests the effects of relationship and politeness on perceived regard for face and advice effectiveness among undergraduate students. Finds that regard for positive face is associated with the perceived effectiveness, appropriateness, helpfulness, and sensitivity of advice given; however, the factors normally expected to account for perceived…

Develops the theme of interactional asymmetry by bringing into focus a hierarchical context of a single employer-employee conversation. Argues that the asymmetrical dynamics of a workplace interaction are revealed better when captured in terms of discursively produced selves as opposed to given identities. (RS)

Draws on social anthropology, educational administration, and neoinstitutionalism studies to explore educational administration in a cross-cultural setting. Discusses effects of cultural differences on organizational behavior in an Australian-Malaysian collaboration in higher education in Malaysia. The Australian subculture failed to become…

Misunderstandings and breakdowns in communication often occur when we interact with people from different cultures. Therefore, it is essential for us to be sensitive to other cultures. This article analyses the prevailing problems in intercultural communication and gives suggestions to higher education institutions in the hope of improving…