Download - Chap3: Communicating Verbally
By: Miranda Emery
Language- Body of symbols and systems for their use in messages that are common to people on the same speech community
Speech community- Group that speaks the same language
Words- Symbols used to represent objects, ideas, and feelings
Sapir-Whorf hypothesis- Language affects how people think and what they pay attention to.
Tree house=
We use language to:◦ Designate, label, define, and limit◦ Evaluate◦ Discuss things outside our immediate experience
◦ Talk about language
Meaning of words is in people, not the word
Two levels of meaning◦ Denotation- Direct, explicit meaning (dictionary)
◦ Connotation- Feelings or evaluations we associate with a word
Meaning may vary based on syntactic context (position of word)
Language changes over time As people come together, so does language
Low-context culture- Messages are direct and language is specific
High-context culture- Verbal messages are more indirect
Feminine style of language- Empathy, support, concrete and personal, and show politeness and tentativeness
Masculine style of language- Status and problem solving, abstract and general, show assertiveness and control
Use Clear Language◦ Specific words- More concrete and precise, clear up confusion
◦ Concrete words-Appeal to the senses◦ Precise words- Large category to smaller group
◦ Dating information- Details that specify a time or period
◦ Indexing generalizations- Mental and verbal practice of acknowledging individual differences when generalizing
Make your language memorable◦ Vivid wording- Full of life, vigorous, bright, and intense
◦ Vividness can be reached through similes and metaphors
◦ Simile- Direct comparison of dissimilar things (like/as)
◦ Metaphor- Comparison that establishes a figurative identity between objects (is)
◦ Emphasis- The importance you give to certain words or ideas
Use language sensitivity- Show respect for listener◦ Adapt vocab to level of listener◦ Use jargon (technical terms) sparingly ◦ Use slang (informal vocab) appropriate to the listener and situation
◦ Use inclusive language Generic language- Words that apply to one sex, race, or group as thought they represent everyone
◦ Use nonoffensive language