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Verbal Communication

Verbal Communication. CHAPTER TOPICS. Language is Symbolic Understandings and Misunderstandings The Impact of Language Gender and Language Culture and Language. Language is Symbolic. Cat. Symbol- word Referent- thing Reference- meaning. Understanding and Misunderstanding.

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Verbal Communication

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  1. Verbal Communication CHAPTER TOPICS • Language is Symbolic • Understandings and Misunderstandings • The Impact of Language • Gender and Language • Culture and Language

  2. Language is Symbolic Cat Symbol- word Referent- thing Reference- meaning

  3. Understanding and Misunderstanding • Semantic rules • “Bikes” are for riding and “books” are for reading • Equivocation • Statements that have more then one meaning • “Family catches fire just in time.” • Syntactic Rules • Govern the grammar of language • Relative Language • Words that gain their meaning by comparison • Static Evaluation • Statements that contain or imply the word is lead to mistaken assumptions about people

  4. Understandings and Misunderstandings • Abstraction • Is vague in nature • Pragmatic Rules • Govern the way speech works in everyday interaction • Consider the difference between: • I love you • I love ya • I luv U Figure 5.1 Page 165

  5. The Impact of Language • Naming and Identity • They shape the way others think of us • They shape the way we view ourselves • 1900’s most popular names • Bertha, Mildred and Ethel • 2010’s most popular names • Sophia, Isabella and Olivia

  6. The Impact of Language • Affiliation • language can build and demonstrate solidarity with others • Convergence • The process of adapting one’s speech style to match others • Divergence • Speaking in a way that emphasizes one’s differences from others

  7. The Impact of Language • Power • Power difference between two statements: • “Excuse me, sir. I hate to say this, but I . . .I . . .I guess I won’t be able to turn in the assignment on time. I had a personal emergency, and . . .well . . .it was just impossible to finish it by today. I’ll have it on your desk Monday, OK?” • “I won’t be able to turn in the assignment on time. I had a personal emergency, and it was impossible to finish by today. I’ll have it on your desk Monday.”

  8. The Impact of Language • Powerless Language • Hedges: • “I’m kinda disappointed . . .”“I think we should . . .”“I guess I’d like to . . .” • Hesitations: • “Uh, can I have a minute of your time?” • “Well, we could try this idea . . .” • “I wish you would—er—try to be on time.” • Tag questions: • “It’s about time we got started, isn’t it?” • “Don’t you think we should give it another try?”

  9. Disruptive Language Three linguistic habits to avoid • Fact-Opinion Confusion FactOpinion You forgot my birthday. You don’t care about me. You keep interrupting me. You’re a control freak. • Emotive Language Seems to describe something but actually announces the speakers attitude toward it If you approve, sayIf you disapprove, say Thrifty Cheap Traditional Old-fashioned

  10. Fact-interference confusion • A: Why are you mad at me? • B: I’m not mad at you. Why have you been so insecure lately? • A: I’m not insecure. It’s just that you've been so critical. • B: What do you mean, “critical?” I haven’t been critical. . . .

  11. The Impact of Language • “It” Statements “It bothers me when you’re late.” vs “I’m worried when you’re late.” • “But” Statements • the word but cancels the thought that precedes it: • Questions • Some questions are used to avoid making a declaration • “I” and “You” Language “I” statements accept responsibility “You” statements express judgment • “We” Language • Implies the issue is the concern of both parties

  12. Gender, Culture and Language Gender Differences in Content &Conversation Style • Ultimately the language between sexes is more similar than it is different. Culture Low-context cultures • Generally value language to express thoughts, feelings, and ideas as directly as possible. High-context cultures • Generally value using language to maintain social harmony.

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