A collection of symbols governed by rules and used to convey messages (meaning) between individuals

Made of Symbols Alphabet, numbers, gestures, verbal sounds

Is Rule Governed Semantic, syntactic, pragmatic, phonological

Meaning between individuals Is a process

Meaning in people not words Change with time, place, and experience Denotative- dictionary meaning Connotative- subjective/personal

meanings

Grammar, Accent

Labels Person’s Name Title

Affiliation Jargon and Slang

Attraction and interest Joe and Jane or Jane and Joe

Responsibility I versus You messages You make me mad…I feel angry when…

Linguistic determinism: Whorf-Sapir Hypothesis Reflects▪ Impact of the world on a culture▪ Eskimos/Snow

Shapes▪ Understanding of what is important to the

culture▪ Time, Family Relationships

Used to spare one’s feelings

Used to be politically correct Reflects concerns of a particular group

of people Used to Manipulate feelings, level of

responsibility; status

Talk About: Music, Current Events, Sports, Business

Gossip about sports figures and media personalities

Conversation is a game; make it fun

Words: use swear words, interrupt more

Goal: Use language as a way to assert control Reach goals, solve problems, offer advice

Talk About: Relationship problems, Family, Health,

Reproductive matters, Weight, food, Clothing Gossip About:

Close friends and family Conversation

is about feelings, relationships Words:

justifiers, intensive adverbs, talk less in mixed sex dyads

Goal: Use conversation to meet need for empathy Use Language to maintain Harmony