Human language is a system of arbitrary signs and symbols used
to communicate thoughts and feelings Every language spoken is a
system; an interrelated collection of words and rules employed to
construct and express messages that generate meaning All languages
impose a grammar that arranges words in a meaningful way: the went
store he to Human Language 5-3
Slide 5
Well-chosen words are at the centre of effective communication
5-4
Slide 6
Look for meaning not only in the words spoken, but in the
person speaking them When you see or hear a word, you apply your
prior knowledge, experience, and feelings to decide what the word
means Verbal Messages 5-5
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Denotation: The dictionary (literal, objective) meaning of a
word; the meaning that members of a culture assign to a word
Connotation: A words emotional, subjective, or personal
associations Denotative vs. Connotative 5-6
Slide 8
Advantage: Indirect messages allow you to express a thought
without insulting or offending anyone; they allow you to observe
the rules of polite interaction Disadvantage: Indirect messages can
create ambiguity and be misunderstood Indirect Messages 5-7
Slide 9
Most languages reflect a gender bias Because of gender bias in
English in North American society, female terms tend to take on
demeaning connotations The connotations of the second word in some
pairings are negative or outdated: governor/governess,
master/mistress, sir/madam Women tend to use language that
expresses uncertainty, lack of confidence, and excessive deference
or politeness Language and Gender 5-8
Slide 10
Stereotypically, women make indirect requests; men give direct
orders Gender Differences in Directness 5-9
Slide 11
There are approximately 5,000 to 6,000 languages spoken in the
world, all of them with different vocabularies and rules of grammar
The words in a language often reflect what is important to the
people in a specific culture (Hope youre hungry! happy request
here, cruel taunt in third world countries) Individualistic
cultures have an I orientation; collectivist cultures have a we
orientation English is the only language that capitalizes the
pronoun I in writing Language and Culture 5-10
Slide 12
Many Asian and Latin American cultures value indirectness,
which enables a person to avoid appearing criticized or
contradicted American styles of communication favour directness
Cultural Differences in Directness 5-11
Slide 13
The level of abstraction in verbal communication will vary
depending on the context and audience of the message Use
abstraction sparingly; express your meaning in specific terms
Abstraction 5-12
Slide 14
Abstract terms - concepts and ideas that have no physical
dimensions (freedom, love, happiness, equality) Concrete terms
-refers to objects, people, happenings that are perceived through
sight, smell, touch, hearing, or taste Abstract vs Concrete
5-13
Slide 15
Animal Domestic animal Dog Poodle Toy poodle White toy poodle
Pampered white toy poodle From the General to the Concrete
5-14
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The meaning of a message can vary depending on the speaker and
the speakers circumstances Depending on the speaker, message can be
assertive, non-assertive, or aggressive People 5-15
Slide 17
Complete Test Yourself on page 118 of your text Submit by email
on Canvas Your Turn 5-16
Slide 18
Verbal and nonverbal messages exist in context, which affects
their meaning Cultural context influences the meaning assigned to
speech as well as whether the meaning is friendly, offensive,
sensitive, etc. Context 5-17
Slide 19
Bypassing, exclusionary language, and offensive language are
three common barriers to effective communication Bypassing when two
people assign different meanings to the same word or phrase, they
risk bypassing each other a form of miscommunication that occurs
when people miss each other with their meanings. Overcoming Common
Language Barriers 5-18
Slide 20
Inclusive messages: Include all people present and acknowledge
the relevance of others Exclusive messages: Exclude specific people
and, in some cases, entire cultural groups Exclusionary language
uses words that reinforce stereotypes, belittle other people, or
exclude others from understanding an in- groups message Inclusion
and Exclusion 5-19
Slide 21
Exclusionary language widens the gap by separating the world
into we (to refer to people who are like you) and they or those
people (to refer to people who are different from you Avoid
mentioning anything about age, health or mental and physical
abilities, sexual orientation, or race and ethnicity unless these
characteristics are relevant to the discussion Inclusion and
Exclusion 5-20
Slide 22
Sexism: derogatory behaviour or language toward one sex
(usually women) Heterosexism: attitudes, behaviours, and languages
that disparage people who are GLBTQ Racism: conscious or
unconscious attempt to place a racial or ethnic group in an
inferior position Ageism: discrimination based on age
Disconfirmation: Denying Others Significance 5-21
Slide 23
Acknowledges the presence of the other person Indicates your
acceptance of this person, of this persons definition of self, and
of your relationship as defined or viewed by this other person
Confirmation 5-22
Slide 24
Complete Test Yourself on page 121 of your text Submit by email
on Canvas Your Turn 5-23
Slide 25
To avoid sexism, heterosexism, racism, and ageism, learn and be
sensitive to preferred cultural identifiers Cultural Identifiers
5-24
Slide 26
Intensional: To view people, objects, and events in the way
they are labeled Extensional: To look first at the actual people,
objects, and events, and only afterwards at their labels
Orientation 5-25
Slide 27
Recognize the distinction between statements of fact and
statements of inference Facts and Inferences 5-26
Slide 28
Inferences are treated as fact Statements are made based on
observation and inferences Factual statements are not based on
observed facts only Inferential statements are not recognized as
important to establish what is meaningful Fact-Inference Confusion
Occurs When 5-27
Slide 29
The tendency to look at the world in terms of opposites and
extremes The fallacy of either/or and black/ white statements The
inappropriate use of opposites The implication that there are only
two sides to a problemfailure to look for middle ground
Polarization 5-28
Slide 30
Formality of language Jargon specialized technical language of
a profession or homogenous group Slang - idioms Profanity Vulgar
expressions Speaking Appropriately 5-29
Slide 31
Expand your vocabulary Use oral language (as opposed to
written) Use active language expressive Use I and You language
wisely you can be very judgmental Use grammatical language
Improving Your Way With Words 5-30
Slide 32
Complete Check Your Ability on page 133-4 of your text Submit
by email on Canvas Your Turn 5-31