Chapter 7: Verbal Communication

Chapter 7: Verbal CommunicationChapter 7: Verbal Communication

OverviewOverview

This chapter is about the importance of This chapter is about the importance of language and how language functions in language and how language functions in communication. In this chapter, you will communication. In this chapter, you will learn about the world of language, learn about the world of language, including the definition of language and its including the definition of language and its many characteristics. You will learn that many characteristics. You will learn that language can be both an enhancement language can be both an enhancement and an obstacle to communication. Finally, and an obstacle to communication. Finally, specific suggestions are provided for specific suggestions are provided for improving your verbal skills.improving your verbal skills.

The text discusses five methods to avoid The text discusses five methods to avoid intentional confusion in messages (under intentional confusion in messages (under the heading: How Can Language Skills the heading: How Can Language Skills Be Improved?). Explain how each of these Be Improved?). Explain how each of these can be incorporated into your daily life can be incorporated into your daily life (provide examples for each). (provide examples for each).

We will discuss as a class in slide 17.We will discuss as a class in slide 17.

What is Language?What is Language?

A collection of symbols, letters or words A collection of symbols, letters or words with arbitrary meanings that are governed with arbitrary meanings that are governed by rules and used to communicate.by rules and used to communicate.

Language and speech are not the Language and speech are not the same thingsame thing

Speech is a broad term simply referring to Speech is a broad term simply referring to patterned verbal behavior. In contrast, apatterned verbal behavior. In contrast, a languagelanguage is a set of rules for generating is a set of rules for generating speech. speech.

Language and Culture are Language and Culture are IntertwinedIntertwined

Culture: defined as all of the socially Culture: defined as all of the socially transmitted behavior patterns, beliefs, transmitted behavior patterns, beliefs, attitudes and values of a particular period, attitudes and values of a particular period, class, community, or population.class, community, or population.

For discussion:For discussion:

Can a person belong to more than one Can a person belong to more than one culture?culture?

What cultures do you belong to? How What cultures do you belong to? How does your language change among these does your language change among these various cultures?various cultures?

Language and CultureLanguage and Culture

A A dialect dialect is a variant of a language. If it is a variant of a language. If it is associated with a geographically is associated with a geographically isolated speech community, it is referred isolated speech community, it is referred to as a to as a regional dialectregional dialect. However, if it is . However, if it is spoken by a speech community that is spoken by a speech community that is merely socially isolated, it is called a merely socially isolated, it is called a social dialectsocial dialect. These latter dialects are . These latter dialects are mostly based on class, ethnicity mostly based on class, ethnicity , gender , gender , age, and particular social situations , age, and particular social situations

Sapir-Whorf hypothesisSapir-Whorf hypothesis

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis theorizes that The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis theorizes that thoughts and behavior are determined (or thoughts and behavior are determined (or are at least partially influenced) by are at least partially influenced) by language. language.

Our understanding of the world is Our understanding of the world is determined by the language we use. In determined by the language we use. In effect, we language reality into existence effect, we language reality into existence (a scary thought!). (a scary thought!).

ExamplesExamples

ExampleExampleIf I say ‘vegetarianism is good’ often enough then it will If I say ‘vegetarianism is good’ often enough then it will eventually become true. In fact it becomes a (not the) eventually become true. In fact it becomes a (not the) truth as I say it, at least for me.truth as I say it, at least for me.So what?So what?Using itUsing itUnderstand the power of language. Use it to good effect. Understand the power of language. Use it to good effect. The pen and the mouth are truly more powerful than the The pen and the mouth are truly more powerful than the sword.sword.Defending itDefending itUnderstand the power of language. Hear how others are Understand the power of language. Hear how others are using it. Do not let their reality become your reality using it. Do not let their reality become your reality unless it makes sufficient sense to you.unless it makes sufficient sense to you.

SymbolsSymbols

SymbolsSymbols are sounds or things which are sounds or things which have meaning given to them by the users. have meaning given to them by the users. Originally, the meaning is arbitrarily Originally, the meaning is arbitrarily assigned. For instance, the English word assigned. For instance, the English word "dog" does not in any way physically "dog" does not in any way physically resemble the animal it stands for. All resemble the animal it stands for. All symbols have a material form but the symbols have a material form but the meaning can not be discovered by mere meaning can not be discovered by mere sensory examination of their forms. They sensory examination of their forms. They are abstractions. are abstractions.

Examples of SymbolsExamples of Symbols

For instance, the English word "dog" does For instance, the English word "dog" does not in any way physically resemble the not in any way physically resemble the animal it stands for. All symbols have a animal it stands for. All symbols have a material form but the meaning can not be material form but the meaning can not be discovered by mere sensory examination discovered by mere sensory examination of their forms. They are abstractions. of their forms. They are abstractions.

For instance, the English word "dog" does not in any way For instance, the English word "dog" does not in any way physically resemble the animal it stands for. All symbols physically resemble the animal it stands for. All symbols have a material form but the meaning can not be have a material form but the meaning can not be discovered by mere sensory examination of their forms. discovered by mere sensory examination of their forms. They are abstractions. They are abstractions.

Do the following words sound or lookDo the following words sound or looklike the animal shown here: canis like the animal shown here: canis ,,chien chien , hund , hund , perro , perro ? ?

(They all are words for dog in(They all are words for dog inEuropean languages.)European languages.)

Language is arbitrary, organizes and Language is arbitrary, organizes and clarifies reality, is abstract, and shape clarifies reality, is abstract, and shape perceptions.perceptions.

Language employees rules of semantics, Language employees rules of semantics, syntax, and pragmatics.syntax, and pragmatics.

For discussionFor discussion

How does a person’s language use shape How does a person’s language use shape your perception of the individual?your perception of the individual?

Improving language use p. 76Improving language use p. 76

Avoid intentional confusionAvoid intentional confusion

Be more descriptiveBe more descriptive

Be more concreteBe more concrete

Differentiate between observations and Differentiate between observations and inferencesinferences

Demonstrate communication competence Demonstrate communication competence in your interaction with othersin your interaction with others


Explain how each of the five methods to Explain how each of the five methods to avoid intentional confusion in messages avoid intentional confusion in messages these can be incorporated into your daily these can be incorporated into your daily life (provide examples for each). life (provide examples for each).

Unconventional language useUnconventional language use

Grammatical errorsGrammatical errorsClichésClichésEuphemisms and doublespeakEuphemisms and doublespeakSlangSlangProfanityProfanityJargonJargonColloquialismsColloquialismsRegionalismsRegionalismsSexist, racist, and heterosexist language.Sexist, racist, and heterosexist language.

Sample ClichésSample Clichés

Ace in the HoleAce in the HoleBack to the Drawing BoardBack to the Drawing BoardBag of BonesBag of BonesBark Up the Wrong TreeBark Up the Wrong TreeBeggars Can't Be ChoosersBeggars Can't Be ChoosersCart Before the HorseCart Before the HorseChase a RainbowChase a RainbowChip Off the Old BlockChip Off the Old BlockDivide and ConquerDivide and ConquerDrop in the BucketDrop in the BucketEvery Cloud Has a Silver LiningEvery Cloud Has a Silver LiningFair ShakeFair ShakeFilled to the BrimFilled to the BrimFish in Troubled WatersFish in Troubled WatersFlip Your LidFlip Your LidFly the CoopFly the Coop


Can you think of any other clichés?Can you think of any other clichés?

Difference Between EUPHEMISM Difference Between EUPHEMISM and DOUBLESPEAK???and DOUBLESPEAK???

DoublespeakDoublespeak implies an intent to mislead implies an intent to mislead or deceive.or deceive.

EuphemismEuphemism implies and attempt to soften implies and attempt to soften something harsh. something harsh.

Corporate euphemisms and Corporate euphemisms and doublespeakdoublespeak

layoff, downsize, rightsize, headcount adjustment, RIF layoff, downsize, rightsize, headcount adjustment, RIF (reduction in force), realignment(reduction in force), realignment: mass dismissal of employees, : mass dismissal of employees, usually due to business restructuring or economic conditions usually due to business restructuring or economic conditions also also counseled out, made redundant, let go, dismissed, counseled out, made redundant, let go, dismissed, terminated, services are no longer requiredterminated, services are no longer required, et cetera, for firing in , et cetera, for firing in general general job flexibilityjob flexibility: lack of job security (where job security means an : lack of job security (where job security means an actual or implied promise of continued employment) actual or implied promise of continued employment) outsourceoutsource: dismissing in-house employees to hire cheaper labor : dismissing in-house employees to hire cheaper labor provided by another organization. provided by another organization. replacement workersreplacement workers: scabs or strikebreakers in labor disputes : scabs or strikebreakers in labor disputes reliability enhancementreliability enhancement: fix for a software bug. : fix for a software bug.

ColloquialismsColloquialisms

Words and phrases that are used informally.Words and phrases that are used informally.

We often use colorful or colloquial phrases in We often use colorful or colloquial phrases in spoken English that are inappropriate in formal spoken English that are inappropriate in formal written English. Be sure to edit these phrases written English. Be sure to edit these phrases out of your written work, replacing them with out of your written work, replacing them with more precise language. more precise language.

ExamplesExamples

Incorrect: On arriving at the scene of Incorrect: On arriving at the scene of the crime, the officer tore up the stairs the crime, the officer tore up the stairs in search of the big enchilada.in search of the big enchilada.

Correct: On arriving at the scene of the Correct: On arriving at the scene of the crime, the officer ran up the stairs in crime, the officer ran up the stairs in search of the leader of the crime search of the leader of the crime syndicate.syndicate.

ExamplesExamples

In the preceding example, the colloquial phrases In the preceding example, the colloquial phrases "tore up the stairs" and "big enchilada" have "tore up the stairs" and "big enchilada" have more than one meaning. As a result, more more than one meaning. As a result, more precise language is more appropriate. precise language is more appropriate.

Incorrect: On December 12, 1992, Ms. DeWitt Incorrect: On December 12, 1992, Ms. DeWitt kicked the bucket.kicked the bucket. Also Incorrect: On Also Incorrect: On December 12, 1992, Ms. DeWitt passed on to December 12, 1992, Ms. DeWitt passed on to her heavenly reward.her heavenly reward. Better: Ms. DeWitt died Better: Ms. DeWitt died on December 12, 1992.on December 12, 1992.

RegionalismsRegionalisms

In the South it’s called Coke, even when it’s Pepsi. Many In the South it’s called Coke, even when it’s Pepsi. Many in Boston say tonic. A precious few even order a fizzy in Boston say tonic. A precious few even order a fizzy drink.drink.What many call a "Submarine sandwich" or just "Sub" == What many call a "Submarine sandwich" or just "Sub" ==

PA / Philly NJ: hoagie, PA / Philly NJ: hoagie, NY: hero (I'm told its from the Greek "Gyro" which is NY: hero (I'm told its from the Greek "Gyro" which is pronounced more like "hero" than "gye-row")pronounced more like "hero" than "gye-row")RI, MA: grinderRI, MA: grinderME: Italian sandwichME: Italian sandwichLA (and other south?): Po’ boyLA (and other south?): Po’ boyAny other names for subs? Any other names for subs?

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Chapter 7: Verbal Communication