Encoding Verbal

8/3/2019 Encoding Verbal

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Verbal Communication

The Power of Words


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Language is a Game It works by rules understood by its

users

It cannot be considered independent ofthe players

Meaning is a product of the system ofrules


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Meanings Are In PeopleA word means what we want it to mean

Experience is shaped by words We cannot share our world of

experience


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Two Wordy Paradigms We live in two

worlds

The world of words

The world ofexperience

There are no twoworlds

The word is theworld

The choice of words

shapes experience


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Some Theories of Meaning Referential

Perceptual Behavioural


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Word do not separate facts

from guesses Inferences are based upon incomplete

information

Our language tends to confuse factsand inferences

Every opinion is a statement aboutourselves

Words always distort reality somewhat


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Words tend to push things

into either or categories


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Danger Signals Use of absolute, conclusive, generalized

terms

Value terms, adjectives and adverbs

Identifying

Confusing facts with inferences Bypassing, polarisation, frozen

evaluation


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Semantics Indexing

Dating

Etc

Quotation marks and hyphens


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Clarity and Ambiguity Use unequivocal terms to avoid

misunderstandings

Use lower level abstractions whenclarity is essential

Avoid using excessive jargon


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EmotionAvoid using brand and trigger words

that arouse undesired emotionalreaction


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Choosing Words Use familiar words

Choose the short words Use technical words carefully

Select words with strength and vigour

Use concrete languageAvoid camouflaged verbs


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Familiar words The machine has a tendency to develop

excessive and unpleasant audialsymptoms when operating at elevatedtemperatures

The machine tends to get noisy when it

runs hot


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Short words The decision was predicated on the

assumption than an abundance ofmonetary funds was forthcoming

The decision was based on the beliefthat there would be more money


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Technical Language These words would be clear to seasoned

railroader

Run that hog into four and tie on to that cut and snake it out of there. Then shake it out.

After you finish that, pick up those tworeefers on eight and cut them in behind thegondolas on ten. Thatll wrap up the hot shot. Then tie her together and blue flagher.

John OHayre Gobbledygook has Gottato Go


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Use concrete language

A significant loss A 50 percent loss

Good attendance record 100 percentattendance record


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Avoid camouflaged verbsControl of the water was not possible

They could not control the water


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Use precise words Lease deal

Employee receptionist


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Are the words appropriate for thescenario?

Are the words appropriate to theknowledge of the people involved?

Do the words precisely denote your

meaning? Is any jargon youve used likely to be

understood by all present and futurereaders?


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Do the connotations of the words create anappropriate tone for the piece?

Have you searched for and replaced cliches?

Have you used slang only where the situation isinformal enough to tolerate it?

Have you emphasized a positive relationship with thereader

Have you identified and replaced all sexist language? Have you chosed words appropriate to your

communication strategy?


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Paralanguage

Paralanguage means short sounds that are used to showyour feeling.

For example, we say Ouch to express pain.

Ouch, I hit my finger with the hammer.

What sounds and body language do you use in your languageto express these ideas?


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What do you think these

other sounds mean? What body language do you think is used with each sound? Uh-oh Ah hah!!!

Mmmmm, Tsk! Tsk! Oops! Shhh Uh-huh Humphf! Hah! Huh-uh. Whew! Phew! Hmmm. PHEW!

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Encoding Verbal