Chapter 4Chapter 4

Verbal CommunicationVerbal Communication

The system of symbols The system of symbols (words) that we use to (words) that we use to think about and think about and communicate communicate experiences and experiences and feelingsfeelings

LanguageLanguage

►Language is symbolicLanguage is symbolic►Words have multiple meaningsWords have multiple meanings

Denotative meaningsDenotative meanings Connotative meaningsConnotative meanings

►Thought informs language and vice Thought informs language and vice versa (cognitive language)versa (cognitive language) E.G. What is a E.G. What is a ““good school?good school?””

The Nature of LanguageThe Nature of Language

►Language is ruled by grammarLanguage is ruled by grammar Phonological rulesPhonological rules Syntactic rulesSyntactic rules

►Language is bound by contextLanguage is bound by context Would you talk to your grandparents Would you talk to your grandparents

the same way you would talk to your the same way you would talk to your friends?friends?

The Nature of Language The Nature of Language

►Communication Communication acquisitionacquisition Learn words of a Learn words of a

languagelanguage

Learn to use wordsLearn to use words appropriatelyappropriately and and effectivelyeffectively in the in the context of the situationcontext of the situation

The Functions of LanguageThe Functions of Language

Functional Communication Functional Communication CompetenciesCompetencies► Using language as a means of controlUsing language as a means of control

E.G. Verbally abusive relationshipsE.G. Verbally abusive relationships► Using language to share informationUsing language to share information► Using language to express feelingsUsing language to express feelings

““II’’m tiredm tired””, , ““II’’m frustratedm frustrated””, , ““II’’m starvingm starving””

► Using language to express creativityUsing language to express creativity E.G. J.K. RowlingE.G. J.K. Rowling’’s s ““Harry PotterHarry Potter”” Don McLeanDon McLean’’s s “V incent”

► Using language as a form of ritualUsing language as a form of ritual Saying the Saying the ““right thingright thing”” at a wedding reception at a wedding reception””

Using Language as a Means Using Language as a Means of Controlof Control

►Control as a neutral termControl as a neutral term

Using Language as a Means Using Language as a Means of Controlof Control

Using Language to Share Using Language to Share InformationInformation

►Giving and receiving informationGiving and receiving information

Using Language to Express Using Language to Express FeelingsFeelings

►Sending messages to others to Sending messages to others to express how we feel about ourselves, express how we feel about ourselves, about them, or about the situationabout them, or about the situation

►““Appropriate and effective” Appropriate and effective” requirementrequirement

Using Language to Express Using Language to Express CreativityCreativity

Using Language as RitualUsing Language as Ritual

Problems with LanguageProblems with Language

► Abstraction and meaningAbstraction and meaning High- and Low-level abstractionsHigh- and Low-level abstractions

►““Pick up a pizza tonightPick up a pizza tonight”” V.S. V.S. ““Pick Pick up a veggie pizza on wheat crust up a veggie pizza on wheat crust from Michelangelo's.from Michelangelo's.””

EvasionEvasion►Mom: Mom: ““Where are you going?Where are you going?””►Son: Son: ““Just out, Mom!Just out, Mom!””

Problems with Language Problems with Language cont.cont.

EquivocationEquivocation►““ThatThat’’s not an ugly sweater, Honey. s not an ugly sweater, Honey.

ItIt’’s… colorful!s… colorful!”” EuphemismEuphemism

►He didn'tHe didn't’’t die, he passed away.t die, he passed away. Slang/JargonSlang/Jargon

►Poker JargonPoker Jargon

Problems with LanguageProblems with Language

►Confusing facts, opinions, and Confusing facts, opinions, and inferencesinferences Fact: something true and Fact: something true and

verifiableverifiable Opinion: personal evaluationsOpinion: personal evaluations Inferences: conclusions about Inferences: conclusions about

what we observewhat we observe

Language in ContextLanguage in Context►Language reflects contextLanguage reflects context

(Have a variety of speech repertoires)(Have a variety of speech repertoires)

►Language builds on contextLanguage builds on context(Adjust language to situation)(Adjust language to situation)

If you have a good relation with a If you have a good relation with a stepparent, you might call them Mom stepparent, you might call them Mom or Dador Dad

►Language determines contextLanguage determines context(Choose formal / informal language)(Choose formal / informal language)

““Call me BrentCall me Brent””

Limits of LabelingLimits of Labeling

Relational ContextRelational Context

►We moderate our language based on We moderate our language based on the status of our relationshipsthe status of our relationships

Relational ContextRelational Context

Situational ContextSituational Context

►High language: formal, polite, or High language: formal, polite, or ““mainstreammainstream”” language language

►Low language: easy going language Low language: easy going language for more comfortable environmentsfor more comfortable environments

Cultural ContextCultural Context

►Culture, words, and thoughtCulture, words, and thought►Sapir-Whorf hypothesisSapir-Whorf hypothesis

Language in ContextLanguage in Context

►The cultural context (cont.)The cultural context (cont.) Gender and languageGender and language

►InterruptionsInterruptions►Qualifiers, hedges, disclaimersQualifiers, hedges, disclaimers►Tag QuestionsTag Questions►Resistance MessagesResistance Messages

Geography and languageGeography and language AccommodationAccommodation

Language in ContextLanguage in Context►Technology as ContextTechnology as Context

When using technology, When using technology, you must use strong, clear you must use strong, clear language to make up for language to make up for lack of nonverbal cueslack of nonverbal cues

English has become the English has become the language of technologylanguage of technology

Acronyms and emoticons Acronyms and emoticons can enhance can enhance communicationcommunication