communication

Health & Safety

Art Of The Buzzkill: Health Officials Struggle To Boost Vaccination, Stall Parties

8:01am February 14, 2021

NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks to sociologist Zeynep Tufekci about why there has been a failure of public health messaging about life after getting a coronavirus vaccine.

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Naked mole rats are very communicative creatures, they quietly chirp, squeak, twitter or even grunt to one another. The scientists wanted to find out whether these vocalizations have a social function for the animals – and found that each colony has its

Friend or Foe? Naked Mole Rats Can Tell By A Unique Squeak

8:35pm January 28, 2021

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

A new study shows that naked mole rats speak with distinct dialects that appear to be learned — and reveal what group they belong to.

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Speaking My Language: How Gary Chapman Changed The Conversation About Love

5:00am February 14, 2018

by Bethany Chafin

Over 25 years ago, a book called "The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate" made its debut. It

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Beyoncé performs at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 12. "Instead of me telling someone how good I look, I can just send them a picture of Beyoncé in a queen's outfit," Youth Radio's Robert Fisher says.

Music & Culture

What This Picture Of Beyoncé Tells Us About How Generation Z Connects

9:01pm December 04, 2017

Why talk when you can say it with an emoji or a GIF? "Instead of me telling someone how good I look, I can just send them a picture of Beyoncé in a queen's outfit," Youth Radio's Robert Fisher says.

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What does it mean when we say "Huh?" or "Um" in conversation? Barbara J. King explores a new book looking at the topic, How We Talk.

Um, Uh, Huh? Are These Words Clues To Understanding Human Language?

9:59am November 13, 2017

by Barbara J. King

Tiny filler words in human rapid-fire conversation hold the key to understanding how language is unique, according to a new book. But anthropologist Barbara J. King raises some questions.

Human Interest

Media Influences The Young And Their Perceptions: Dr. Kim Smith

10:56am February 21, 2017

by Maxym Taras

Associate Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication at North Carolina A&T University, Dr.

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Music & Culture

Communication Plays A Large Role In The Winston-Salem Symphony: Rachel Williams

10:26pm February 02, 2017

by Quinn McCrea

The Director of Dommunication of the Winston-Salem symphony, Rachel Williams, tells radio camper Quinn McCrea about how she got into her career.

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An Egyptian fruit bat flies in an abandoned quarry near the village of Mammari, Cyprus, in 2007.

Science

When Bats Squeak, They Tend To Squabble

7:53am December 31, 2016

by NPR Staff

Researchers have found new clues to how bats communicate. And it turns out they tend to argue — a lot. The research could lead to a broader understanding of animal communication.

Nat Batchelder and his mother, Susan Senator, in Foxborough, Mass.

Abuse Or The Flu? My Autistic Son Couldn't Tell Me What Was Wrong

5:11pm March 06, 2016

by Susan Senator

My heart fell when a counselor called to say he was worried something bad might have happened to Nat, my severely autistic 25-year-old son. Nat has trouble talking, and was teary. What should I do?

Switchtracking, as defined by author Sheila Heen, is when "someone gives you feedback, and your reaction to that feedback changes the subject."

Science

Trying To Change, Or Changing The Subject? How Feedback Gets Derailed

12:08am September 22, 2015

by NPR Staff

The first episode of Hidden Brain explores switchtracking: a common pattern in conversations you'll be accusing your partner of in no time! Plus speedy science, a cup of tea and a song from Adam Cole.

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