Transcript Slide 1

LANGUAGE
CHAPTER 3 REVIEW
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Language has several important characteristics:
• It is symbolic. (Words)
•Why is human communication symbolic?
•Words are arbitrary and open to
interpretation
• Meanings reside in the minds of people,
not in words themselves.
•Understanding those rules helps us
understand one another.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
•Language can express ideas and be very
powerful.
•It can shape our attitudes toward things and
each other.
•It can reflect the way we feel about things
and people.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Some kinds of language can create problems by
unnecessarily…
•disrupting relationships
•confusing others
•avoiding important information
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Types of language rules:
•PHONOLOGICAL rules: How words sound.
(lead vs. lead, a dump had to refuse refuse).
•SYNTACTIC rules: The structure of
language.
•That each word contain a vowel.
•SEMANTIC rules: The meaning of words.
•PRAGMATIC rules: How people use
words in everyday language. “Shut-up”
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
•Gender plays an important role in the way
language operates.
•Content of male/female speech varies.
•Men/women often have different reasons
for communicating.
•Male/female conversational style varies.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Cultural factors can shape the way we see and
understand language.
•Different cultures have different notions of what
language styles are and aren’t appropriate.
•Language we speak can shape view of
the world.
•Words: Fresca---in Spanish slang in
Mexico means Lesbian
•Pet condensed milk. In French means “to
break wind”
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
High context cultures
•Value language as a way to maintain social
harmony.
•Relational harmony is valued.
•Communicators refrain from saying “no”
directly.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Low context cultures (North American)
•Use language to express thoughts, feelings, and
ideas as clearly and logically as possible.
•Communicators state opinions and
desires directly.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Other factors that influence the way people
speak…examples?
•The setting
•Expertise of the speakers
•Social roles (boss/employee)
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Language can be a way of building and
demonstrating solidarity with others
•When someone wants the approval of another
person they may adapt their speech to
suit the others’ style
•Trying to say the right thing
•Trying to fit in.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
What is equivocal language?
•Words with more than one correct definition.
•Possible outcomes?
•Equivocal misunderstandings can have
serious consequences.
•Nurse: “Won't be needing the materials.”
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
What are relative words?
•Large/small
•Fast/slow
•Short/long
•Compared to what?
•Mistake: To assume they have a clear
meaning.
•Using relative words without explaining
them can lead to communication problems.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Facts and Opinions
Fact?
Opinion?
Examples?
•Label opinions as opinions
•Label facts as facts
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
What is “emotive” language?
•Words that sound as if they’re describing
something when they are really announcing the
speaker's attitude toward something.
•Emotive words may sound like
statements of fact but are always opinions.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
TEST
EXAMPLES
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
A conclusion based on an interpretation of
evidence is called a(an):
a) Opinion
b) Inference
c) Connotation
C INFERENCE
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Which of the following is valued most highly in
communication by women in all female talk?
a) Humor
b) New ways to solve problems
c) Empathy
d) Rapid pace
C EMPATHY
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Which of the following statements would
researchers classify as being the most
powerfully expressed?
a) “I guess I have a question”
b) “Excuse me, but I have a question”
c) “I think I have a question”
d) “I have a question”
D “I have a question”
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
A language is a collection of symbols.
a) True
b) False
Symbols make up language
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
In order to speak a language fluently, a speaker
should be able to describe the rules that govern
that language?
a) True
b) False
FALSE
• Child.
• Most people cannot articulate the rules
of language.
• Most rules are learned unconsciously.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
What is a euphemism?
A pleasant term substituted for a more direct
term.
Examples:
“Bumpy air” instead of “turbulence”
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Inferences refer to things or acts we can observe
directly.
a.
True
b.
False
False
This is a description of factual statements.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Which of the following types of words gain their
meanings by comparison?
a. relative
b. abstract
c. equivocal
d. emotive
a. relative
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
A behavioral description describes behavior that
is:
a. observable
b. abstract
c. negative
d. positive
a. observable
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
The basic goals of almost all ordinary
conversations vary strikingly, based on the sex
of the communicators.
a.
True
b.
False
False
Both men and women share the same
conversational goals, but they often go
about achieving these goals in very
different ways.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Roger has reported to your study group that he
plans to improve his study habits this semester.
In fact, he said, "I will study two hours outside of
class for each hour in class." His statement is an
example of:
a. abstract description
b. emotive description
c. syntactic description
d. behavioral description
d. behavioral description
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Language use can reflect the speaker's
willingness to take responsibility for his/her
statements. Which of the following categories of
statements reflects the highest amount of
speaker responsibility?
a. I statements
b. they statements
c. you statements
d. it statements
a. I statements
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Euphemisms are deliberately vague and can be
interpreted in more than one way.
a.
True
b.
False
False
That describes an equivocation.
Euphemism is a pleasant term
substituted for a more direct but
potentially less pleasant one.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
You are at the pizza restaurant ordering pizza
with several friends. Suzanne says, "Don't order
one with anchovies. Just hearing the word
'anchovies' about makes me sick!" Suzanne is
responding to:
a. equivocal meaning
b. relative meaning
c. emotive meaning
d. fictional meaning
c. emotive meaning
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Human communication is symbolic. Why?
a. A particular word means the same thing to any
two people.
b. Words are arbitrary and open to individual
interpretation.
c. There are logical reasons why certain
words stand for certain ideas.
d. We are emotionally connected to others.
b. Words are arbitrary and open to
individual interpretation.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
Adler/Rodman
Copyright © 2006 by Oxford University Press, Inc.