CHAPTER 2Foundation of Verbal

Knowledge

In three pieces of paper write…

• The name of the grossest insect, bug, or animal you can thing of

• The name of your least favorite food

• The word you use to call your mom

The language dilemma

• Does language create meaning?

• Does meaning create language?

How did we get here?

• We derive meaning through our backgrounds, experiences, perceptions.

• Thus, people interpret information differently

What affects our understanding of meaning?

• Different frames of reference lead to difference denotative and connotative meanings

How do we learn language?

Language Explosion Theory

• Parents

• Childhood

• School • Peers • Friends • BOOM!

Significant-Other Theory

• Individuals have no identity except in relation to others

Functions of language

• Emotive language: – Employs emotional, connotative words to express attitudes and

emotions

• Phatic language– Used to perform social tasks

• Cognitive language– Used to convey information

• Rhetorical language– Used to influence thoughts and actions / Persuade

• Identifying language– Centers on naming persons or things to clarify of what is being spoken

Language Distortion

• Ambiguity– Double meaning

• Vagueness– Unclear– Doublespeak

• Inferences– Assumptions

The language dilemma

• Language is always evolving