Transcript Slide 1
Chapter 3 Language and Communication Chapter Objectives • Understand the power of language • Identify the five functional competencies • Recognize and address communication problems • Understand that language reflects, builds on and determines context Language The system of symbols (words) that we use to think about and communicate experiences and feelings The Nature of Language • Language is symbolic • Words have multiple meanings – Denotative meanings – Connotative meanings • Thought informs language and vice versa (cognitive language) The Nature of Language • Language is ruled by grammar – Phonological rules – Syntactic rules • Language is bound by context The Functions of Language • Communication acquisition – Learn words of a language – Learn to use words appropriately and effectively in the context of the situation Functional Communication Competencies • Using language as a means of control • Using language to share information – Questioning – Describing – Reinforcing – Withholding Functional Communication Competencies • Using language to express feelings • Using language to express creativity • Using language as a form of ritual Problems with Language • Abstraction and meaning – High- and Low-level abstractions – Evasion – Equivocation – Euphemism – Slang/Jargon Problems with Language • Situation and meaning – Semantics – Pragmatics • Limits of Labeling Problems with Language • Confusing facts, opinions, and inferences – Fact: something true and verifiable – Opinion: personal evaluations – Inferences: conclusions about what we observe The Dangers of Biased Language • Biased language openly excludes or implies something negative about certain groups. • Political correctness may not be the solution as it can focus attention on rhetorical arguments. Language in Context • Language reflects context (Have a variety of speech repertoires) • Language builds on context (Adjust language to situation) • Language determines context (Choose formal / informal language) Language in Context • The relational context • The situational context – High language: formal, polite, or “mainstream” language – Low language: easy going language for more comfortable environments Language in Context • The cultural context – Culture, words, and thought • Sapir-Whorf hypothesis • Linguistic determinism/relativity – High and Low Context cultures Language in Context • The cultural context (cont.) – Gender and language • Interruptions • Qualifiers, hedges, disclaimers • Tag Questions • Resistance Messages – Geography and language – Accommodation Language in Context • Technology as Context – When using technology, you must use strong, clear language to make up for lack of nonverbal cues – English has become the language of technology – Acronyms and emoticons can enhance communication