Language Matching: Interpersonal Communication

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Language Matching Matt Ashford University COM200 Interpersonal Communication Professor Decker July 13, 2011 It is often said by psychologists and marriage counselors that the single most important component in a healthy relationship is the ability to communicate. If two people have the capacity to communicate with each other, then any issue can be worked through to some kind of clarity. However, relationships are a combination of many different factors and elements and communication, while key, is only one necessary element for a healthy and stable relationship. Despite this fact, some feel that matching communication and language style are one measurement that can accurately predict the quality of a relationship and the ability for a relationship top last. In this document, research on matching communication styles will be explored, as well as language matching websites. While matching communication styles can enhance a relationship and those with similar styles are found to enter into romantic partnerships, this one element is not necessarily the holy grail of happy and lasting romantic or business connections. Article Reflection According to the article by Bowman, matched language or similar communication styles by couples is able to predict “mutual romantic interest and stable relationships,” because couples who share similar communication styles are thought to communicate better, listen more effectively to one another, and simply be more in-tune to their partner. It is the author’s conclusion that language matching shows how deep a personal and romantic connection is that “romantic ties may indeed benefit from matching conversational styles” (Bower, 2010). However, the article also notes that language style matching not only waxes and wanes during long-term relationships, but also that there is more in a relationship than just
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