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InterpersonalInterpersonal

VerbalVerbal

Language CommunitiesLanguage Communities((Speech CommunitiesSpeech Communities))

Words are symbols that have understood meaning to the people in a language community.

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Language CommunitiesLanguage Communities((Speech CommunitiesSpeech Communities))

Words are symbols that have understood meaning to the people in a language community.

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What communities exist in this room?

Words are SymbolsWords are Symbols

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Arbitrary

Ambiguous

Abstract

Symbols are ArbitrarySymbols are Arbitrary

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Words do not necessarily have inherent meanings; rather, we can assign meaning to words based on our own unique frame of reference.

Symbols are AmbiguousSymbols are Ambiguous

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Meanings are not clear cut, there are variations on what a word means.

Language is used toLanguage is used to

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1. Name, describe, classify,

and limit

2. Evaluate

3. Discuss things outside our

immediate environment

4. Talk about language.

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Language varies over time, across cultures, and with the situation.

Assignment:Look up the word “niggardly.” Know

the meaning.Research the following incidents

regarding the word:David Howard’s use of the word in January, 1999 and the events that followed.

Amelia Rideau’s problem with the word in February, 1999 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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Denotative Connotative

The dictionary definition

The emotions linked to a

word

• Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis•Symbolic Interactionism•Coordinated Management of Meaning

Three Language Theories

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Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

The structure of a culture’s language determines how people think in that culture.Language defines the way a person behaves and thinks – You are restricted by your vocabulary.

Language is not simply a way of voicing ideas, but is the very thing which shapes our reality.

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Thought controls language or

Language controls thought?

Concept: “People who speak different languages perceive reality

and think differently.”

Thought controls language or

Language controls thought?

Concept: “People who speak different languages perceive reality

and think differently.”

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Suggests:“Language and experience are so

tightly related that language controls thought.

Thus:1. You cannot think of things for which

you have no language.2. Our language creates and limits our

reality.3. Your language choices reflect what

you think about and how you think.Do you agree?

Language and Meaning pg 87

Symbolic Interactionism is a theory that claims the meaning of words is a product of social interaction.

Whatever meaning a person has for a thing is a result of interactions with others about the thing, ie. the value of gold, diamonds or flowers.

People act toward things based on the meaning those things have for them, ie. flag burning.

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Language and Meaning, con’t pg 87

Coordinated management of meaning is a theory that demonstrates how people come to any agreement on the meaning of language and behavior.

This says that one individual may subtly propose enacting a certain type of communication, but only when the other person accepts that proposal that the exchange and the rules been agreed upon that the meaning becomes coordinated -

, i.e. “flirting.”

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1. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis2. Symbolic Interactionism3. Coordinated Management of

Meaning

Three Language Theories

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Understanding cultural Understanding cultural differences helps us understand differences helps us understand

differences in differences in connotationconnotation

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Individual Collective

Low-context High-context

Masculine Feminine

Low power-distance

High power-distance.

Low uncertainty avoidance

High uncertainty avoidance

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Individual Collective

Low-context High-context

Low uncertainty avoidance

High uncertainty avoidance

Individual goals are emphasized more than group goals

Group goals are emphasized morethan individual goals

Accept uncertainty and are tolerant of differing behavior

Provide security and reduce risk - have little tolerance for deviant behavior

Messages are verydirect

Messages are indirect – expect others to know howthey’re feeling.

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Masculine Feminine

Low power-distance

High power-distance

Cultures that expect people to maintain rigid sex roles

Cultures that allow both men and women to take different roles

Cultures in which inequalities are playeddown

Cultures in which peopleshow respect forauthority emphasizing titles, rank, and status.

Identify the 5 Connotative Identify the 5 Connotative Descriptors for the United States? Descriptors for the United States?

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Individual Collective

Low-context High-context

Masculine Feminine

Low power-distance

High power-distance.

Low uncertainty avoidance

High uncertainty avoidance

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Individual

Low-context

(Direct – say what we mean)

Masculine (rigid sex defined)

Low power-distance (downplay social distances)

Low uncertainty Avoidance (Tolerant)

United States

Gender Differences in Gender Differences in LanguageLanguage

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Differences between men’s speech and women’s speech are gender based. Da. . .

Women tend to use more intensifiers and hedges than men.

Women ask questions more frequently than men.

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Choose language and symbolsthat are adapted to the needs,interests, knowledge, and attitudesof listeners in order to avoid language that alienates them.

Language SkillsLanguage Skills

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1. Be specific

2. Use concrete words

3. Date generalizations

4. Index generalizations

& avoid Marking

To increase language clarity, To increase language clarity, develop your vocabularydevelop your vocabulary. This . This will allow you to use more will allow you to use more precise, concrete language when precise, concrete language when you communicate with others. you communicate with others.

1. Language Tip

Strategic AmbiguityWhen a speaker chooses to use vague language when interacting with another person. Example, teenagers frequently choose to be more clear, specific, and definite when revealing information to peers than to parents. This serves to preserve family harmony and advances the teen’s natural drive toward independence. (Sillars, 1998)30

2. Abstract to Concrete2. Abstract to Concrete

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Art

Painting

Oil Painting

Impressionist Oil Painting

Renoir’s La Promenade

abstract

concrete

2. Rephrase each statement so that it 2. Rephrase each statement so that it is less abstract and more concreteis less abstract and more concrete

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Edward always finds something critical to say.

Mr. Wilcox is a fair grader.Let’s keep our trip from getting too expensive.

Politicians are dishonest.

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Group Exercise“He’s a Snake”

Instructions:A. Identify the names of 5 people you know. You may like or dislike them.B. Identify one “concrete” word that describes each individual.C. Back up each concrete word with an example.

InitialsConcrete

Word Example

Person #1

Person #2

Person #3

Person #4

Person #534

3. Date Information3. Date Information

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Specify a time that indicates when a given fact was true or known to be true.

Palm Springs is really popular with the college crowd.

When we were in Palm Springs two years ago, it was really popular with the college crowd.

-Verderber/Verderber

4. Indexing(Qualified) 4. Indexing(Qualified) GeneralizationsGeneralizations

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Mentally or verbally accounting for individual differences

Because men are stronger than women, Max is stronger than Barbara.

In general, men are stronger than women, so Max is probably stronger than Barbara.

-Verderber/Verderber

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4. Generic Man4. Generic Man AlternativeAlternative

Policeman Police officer

Man-made Synthetic

All of mankind All the people in the world

-Wood

4. How would you change the 4. How would you change the following terms to avoid sexism?following terms to avoid sexism?

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FiremanWaitressRepairmanStewardessMailman

ChairmanCleaning ladyCongressmanAnchormanFreshman

4. Marking4. Marking

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The unnecessary addition of sex,race, age, or other designations toa general word.

“He is planning to be a male kindergarten teacher.”

Unnecessary

4. Marking4. Marking

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The unnecessary addition of sex,race, age, or other designations toa general word.

“He is planning to be a male kindergarten teacher.”

PracticeCommunication Accommodation

Communication accommodation theory explains that people change their language patterns to accommodate their partner. This is a practice is called convergence. It’s opposite is divergence.41

DemonstrateLinguistic SensitivityChoosing language that respects others and avoids usages that others perceive as offensive.

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Speaking AppropriatelySpeaking Appropriately

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Adapt to the situation.Monitor your language to avoid:

Language that offends or alienatesJargon & slangProfanityGeneric “he” and “man” when referring to both men and women

Use I-language to own your thoughts and feelings.

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