Chapter 3Chapter 3

Verbal CommunicationVerbal Communication

Definition of LanguageDefinition of Language

““Language is a collection of symbols, Language is a collection of symbols, letters, or words with letters, or words with arbitrary meaningsarbitrary meanings that are governed by rules and used to that are governed by rules and used to communicate” (p. 60).communicate” (p. 60).

English/JapaneseEnglish/Japanese

= =

Tree =Tree =

Language & AmbiguityLanguage & Ambiguity

James is independently wealthy. How much money does he have?James is independently wealthy. How much money does he have?

  

Mary is quite old. How old is she?Mary is quite old. How old is she?   

Carol watches a lot of TV. How many hours a day does she watch?Carol watches a lot of TV. How many hours a day does she watch?

The XJI-57 is an expensive car. How much does it cost?The XJI-57 is an expensive car. How much does it cost?

Today is a very warm day. What is the temperature?Today is a very warm day. What is the temperature?

That sure is a tall building. How many stories does it have?That sure is a tall building. How many stories does it have?

Rules of LanguageRules of Language

SemanticsSemantics – the study of the way humans – the study of the way humans use language to evoke meaning.use language to evoke meaning.Changes/Development over timeChanges/Development over time

““Gay” (1920s) vs “Gay” (today)Gay” (1920s) vs “Gay” (today)

PragmaticsPragmatics – the use of language in – the use of language in social settings. (ex. scripts)social settings. (ex. scripts)Phatic communicationPhatic communication – Communication – Communication

used to establish pleasant moods.used to establish pleasant moods.

Meanings of LanguageMeanings of Language

DenotativeDenotative – Dictionary meaning(s). – Dictionary meaning(s).Something agreed upon.Something agreed upon.

ConnotativeConnotative – Personal meaning(s) of – Personal meaning(s) of words. words. Emotional connections, memories, etc.Emotional connections, memories, etc.

Meanings of LanguageMeanings of Language

ConcreteConcrete – Words that refer to definite – Words that refer to definite persons, places, objects, and acts.persons, places, objects, and acts.

Tiger WoodsTiger Woods

RecentRecent professional male golfer professional male golfer

Professional Professional MaleMale golfer golfer

Professional Professional GolferGolfer

Professional AthleteProfessional Athlete

AbstractAbstract – Words or phrases that refer – Words or phrases that refer generally to ideas, qualities, acts, or generally to ideas, qualities, acts, or relationships.relationships.

Semantic TriangleSemantic TriangleMy thoughtMy thought

DOGDOG ““idea of dog”idea of dog”??????????

Sapir-Whorf HypothesisSapir-Whorf Hypothesis

““Our perception of reality is determined by our Our perception of reality is determined by our thought processes, thought processes, ANDAND our thought processes our thought processes are limited by our language and, are limited by our language and, THEREFORETHEREFORE, , language shapes reality” (p. 66).language shapes reality” (p. 66).

MY THOUGHTSMY THOUGHTS1)1) Language and thought are one.Language and thought are one.

2)2) Our perception of the world is shaped by the way in which we use language.Our perception of the world is shaped by the way in which we use language.

3)3) We can not describe anything outside of the words we have.We can not describe anything outside of the words we have.

4)4) We can feel, but how we communicate those feelings are limited by language.We can feel, but how we communicate those feelings are limited by language.

Sapir-Whorf HypothesisSapir-Whorf Hypothesis

Sapir-Whorf HypothesisSapir-Whorf Hypothesis

InuitInuitFriend from IndiaFriend from India

The MatrixThe Matrix

Language’s ImpactLanguage’s Impact

SexistSexist – language that excludes – language that excludes individuals on the basis of sex or gender.individuals on the basis of sex or gender.

RacistRacist – language that insults a group – language that insults a group because of ethnicity.because of ethnicity.

QuestionsQuestions

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