The Message Chapter 5

Semiotic Tradition Semiotics of language

Ferdinand de Saussure

Modern founder of structure linguistics Language is arbitrary

Structure approach of Language Forms

Consist of speech, sounds, words, and grammar

Language use is NOT arbitrary Language needs meaning to represent

something

Understanding the Structure Saussure

Key is difference in three areas

SoundLetters sound different: p versus b

Word form differsPat versus Bat

Grammatical formsVerb tenses change meaning“has run” versus “will run”

Language vs. Speech Language (langue)

Formal system of language used in communication

Can be analyzed apart from its use (grammatical etc)

Constant

Speech (parole)

The use of language to deliver a thought or accomplish a purpose

Flexible and changing Linquistics = study of Language not speech

Beyond Semiotics Linguistics not enough to understand human use of

language

Two primary focus:

Generative grammarCognitive study of how rules impact spoken

language Chomsky

DiscourseUse of language in communicationEvaluates conversations, media

productions, and speeches

Nonverbal Communication

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfDWQG47pAQ

Theories of Nonverbal Coding

Includes three dimensions:

SemanticMeaning of signs

SyntacticHow signs are organized into system with

other signPragmatic

Effects or behavior created by signs

Eight aspects of Nonverbal Communication

Kinesics

Clothing and artifacts

Voice: ParalanguagePitch, volume, rate, nonfluencies, silence

Proxemics

Eight Aspects of Nonverbal Communication

Colors

Chronemics

Touch: Haptics

Olfactics: Smell

Tell me her story

Kinesics Ray Birdwhistell, Kinesics and Context, page 127

Seven assumptions used for his theory of body language

Cultural Gaffes

Proxemics Edward Hall

Three types of space

Fixed-featured spaceUnmovable things

Semi-fixed featureMovable objects

Informal Space Personal territory between people

Intimate, Personal, Social & public

Proxemics and Culture

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gscRJhDNVmI

Theoretical Approaches to Understanding the

MessageSpeech Act Theory

Action Assembly Theory

Message Design Models

Speech Act Theory “ I will pay you back”

Accomplishes the following:Utterance ActPropositional Act Illocutionary ActPerlocutionary Act

Two types of rules with Illocution forceConstitutive rules

Used to tell how to interpret statementCreates framework for understanding

Regulatory Rules Tell how to use speech to accomplish a goal

Action-Assembly Theory John Greene

Evaluates how we organize knowledge to form messages

Uses two types of knowledgeContent Knowledge

Knowledge about things, or events in speechProcedural Knowledge

Knowledge about how to do things Takes center stage in theoryProcess of associating common actions becomes

procedural record

John, How are you? Fine, Mary, how are

you?

Message Design Models Planning Theory

Charles BergerExplain the processes people use to plan

communication behavior Communication Plans

Mental images of steps used to accomplish a goal