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InterpersonalInterpersonal
VerbalVerbal
Language CommunitiesLanguage Communities((Speech CommunitiesSpeech Communities))
Words are symbols that have understood meaning to the people in a language community.
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Language CommunitiesLanguage Communities((Speech CommunitiesSpeech Communities))
Words are symbols that have understood meaning to the people in a language community.
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What communities exist in this room?
Words are SymbolsWords are Symbols
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Arbitrary
Ambiguous
Abstract
Symbols are ArbitrarySymbols are Arbitrary
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Words do not necessarily have inherent meanings; rather, we can assign meaning to words based on our own unique frame of reference.
Symbols are AmbiguousSymbols are Ambiguous
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Meanings are not clear cut, there are variations on what a word means.
Language is used toLanguage is used to
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1. Name, describe, classify,
and limit
2. Evaluate
3. Discuss things outside our
immediate environment
4. Talk about language.
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Language varies over time, across cultures, and with the situation.
Assignment:Look up the word “niggardly.” Know
the meaning.Research the following incidents
regarding the word:David Howard’s use of the word in January, 1999 and the events that followed.
Amelia Rideau’s problem with the word in February, 1999 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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Denotative Connotative
The dictionary definition
The emotions linked to a
word
• Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis•Symbolic Interactionism•Coordinated Management of Meaning
Three Language Theories
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Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
The structure of a culture’s language determines how people think in that culture.Language defines the way a person behaves and thinks – You are restricted by your vocabulary.
Language is not simply a way of voicing ideas, but is the very thing which shapes our reality.
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Thought controls language or
Language controls thought?
Concept: “People who speak different languages perceive reality
and think differently.”
Thought controls language or
Language controls thought?
Concept: “People who speak different languages perceive reality
and think differently.”
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Suggests:“Language and experience are so
tightly related that language controls thought.
Thus:1. You cannot think of things for which
you have no language.2. Our language creates and limits our
reality.3. Your language choices reflect what
you think about and how you think.Do you agree?
Language and Meaning pg 87
Symbolic Interactionism is a theory that claims the meaning of words is a product of social interaction.
Whatever meaning a person has for a thing is a result of interactions with others about the thing, ie. the value of gold, diamonds or flowers.
People act toward things based on the meaning those things have for them, ie. flag burning.
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Language and Meaning, con’t pg 87
Coordinated management of meaning is a theory that demonstrates how people come to any agreement on the meaning of language and behavior.
This says that one individual may subtly propose enacting a certain type of communication, but only when the other person accepts that proposal that the exchange and the rules been agreed upon that the meaning becomes coordinated -
, i.e. “flirting.”
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1. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis2. Symbolic Interactionism3. Coordinated Management of
Meaning
Three Language Theories
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Understanding cultural Understanding cultural differences helps us understand differences helps us understand
differences in differences in connotationconnotation
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Individual Collective
Low-context High-context
Masculine Feminine
Low power-distance
High power-distance.
Low uncertainty avoidance
High uncertainty avoidance
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Individual Collective
Low-context High-context
Low uncertainty avoidance
High uncertainty avoidance
Individual goals are emphasized more than group goals
Group goals are emphasized morethan individual goals
Accept uncertainty and are tolerant of differing behavior
Provide security and reduce risk - have little tolerance for deviant behavior
Messages are verydirect
Messages are indirect – expect others to know howthey’re feeling.
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Masculine Feminine
Low power-distance
High power-distance
Cultures that expect people to maintain rigid sex roles
Cultures that allow both men and women to take different roles
Cultures in which inequalities are playeddown
Cultures in which peopleshow respect forauthority emphasizing titles, rank, and status.
Identify the 5 Connotative Identify the 5 Connotative Descriptors for the United States? Descriptors for the United States?
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Individual Collective
Low-context High-context
Masculine Feminine
Low power-distance
High power-distance.
Low uncertainty avoidance
High uncertainty avoidance
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Individual
Low-context
(Direct – say what we mean)
Masculine (rigid sex defined)
Low power-distance (downplay social distances)
Low uncertainty Avoidance (Tolerant)
United States
Gender Differences in Gender Differences in LanguageLanguage
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Differences between men’s speech and women’s speech are gender based. Da. . .
Women tend to use more intensifiers and hedges than men.
Women ask questions more frequently than men.
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Choose language and symbolsthat are adapted to the needs,interests, knowledge, and attitudesof listeners in order to avoid language that alienates them.
Language SkillsLanguage Skills
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1. Be specific
2. Use concrete words
3. Date generalizations
4. Index generalizations
& avoid Marking
To increase language clarity, To increase language clarity, develop your vocabularydevelop your vocabulary. This . This will allow you to use more will allow you to use more precise, concrete language when precise, concrete language when you communicate with others. you communicate with others.
1. Language Tip
Strategic AmbiguityWhen a speaker chooses to use vague language when interacting with another person. Example, teenagers frequently choose to be more clear, specific, and definite when revealing information to peers than to parents. This serves to preserve family harmony and advances the teen’s natural drive toward independence. (Sillars, 1998)30
2. Abstract to Concrete2. Abstract to Concrete
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Art
Painting
Oil Painting
Impressionist Oil Painting
Renoir’s La Promenade
abstract
concrete
2. Rephrase each statement so that it 2. Rephrase each statement so that it is less abstract and more concreteis less abstract and more concrete
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Edward always finds something critical to say.
Mr. Wilcox is a fair grader.Let’s keep our trip from getting too expensive.
Politicians are dishonest.
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Group Exercise“He’s a Snake”
Instructions:A. Identify the names of 5 people you know. You may like or dislike them.B. Identify one “concrete” word that describes each individual.C. Back up each concrete word with an example.
InitialsConcrete
Word Example
Person #1
Person #2
Person #3
Person #4
Person #534
3. Date Information3. Date Information
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Specify a time that indicates when a given fact was true or known to be true.
Palm Springs is really popular with the college crowd.
When we were in Palm Springs two years ago, it was really popular with the college crowd.
-Verderber/Verderber
4. Indexing(Qualified) 4. Indexing(Qualified) GeneralizationsGeneralizations
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Mentally or verbally accounting for individual differences
Because men are stronger than women, Max is stronger than Barbara.
In general, men are stronger than women, so Max is probably stronger than Barbara.
-Verderber/Verderber
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4. Generic Man4. Generic Man AlternativeAlternative
Policeman Police officer
Man-made Synthetic
All of mankind All the people in the world
-Wood
4. How would you change the 4. How would you change the following terms to avoid sexism?following terms to avoid sexism?
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FiremanWaitressRepairmanStewardessMailman
ChairmanCleaning ladyCongressmanAnchormanFreshman
4. Marking4. Marking
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The unnecessary addition of sex,race, age, or other designations toa general word.
“He is planning to be a male kindergarten teacher.”
Unnecessary
4. Marking4. Marking
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The unnecessary addition of sex,race, age, or other designations toa general word.
“He is planning to be a male kindergarten teacher.”
PracticeCommunication Accommodation
Communication accommodation theory explains that people change their language patterns to accommodate their partner. This is a practice is called convergence. It’s opposite is divergence.41
DemonstrateLinguistic SensitivityChoosing language that respects others and avoids usages that others perceive as offensive.
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Speaking AppropriatelySpeaking Appropriately
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Adapt to the situation.Monitor your language to avoid:
Language that offends or alienatesJargon & slangProfanityGeneric “he” and “man” when referring to both men and women
Use I-language to own your thoughts and feelings.
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