the world of words

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THE WORLD OF WORDS “The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” Ludwig Wittgenstein

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The World of Words. “The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” Ludwig Wittgenstein. Symbolic Nature of Language. Words are symbols: Arbitrary -no intrinsic connection to what they symbolize Meanings change over time Different meanings with same word in other culture - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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The World of WordsThe limits of my language mean the limits of my world.Ludwig Wittgenstein1Symbolic Nature of LanguageWords are symbols:

Arbitrary-no intrinsic connection to what they symbolizeMeanings change over timeDifferent meanings with same word in other cultureSociety/Social group use in particular way

2Symbols

Symbols are ambiguousMeaning is not always clearNo guarantee people will agree on meaningsCan lead to confusion

3SymbolsSymbols are abstract:Not concrete, not tangibleNot the things they representThe more abstract, the more confusion

4Characteristics of the Verbal CodeVerbal codes consist of discrete, separable unitsWords & sounds can be modified, combined in unique ways, transmitted singly or in combo; stored & retrieved

Language encourages us to create new realitiesTalk about absent, nonexistent things; words do not need to have referents in the physical worldAllows creativity & deception5Verbal Code cont.Language gives us the ability to think in new & more complex waysAllows for development of complex philosophical & mathematical systemsEnhances ability to think rationally & logically

Verbal codes are self-reflexiveAllows us to talk about the way we talkModify when it doesnt work

6Functions of LanguageUsed to conquer the silent & unknown

Allows us to express & control emotion

Reveals or camouflages our thoughts & motives

Permits us to make & avoid contact

7Functions cont.5. Enables us to assert individual/social identity

6. Used to give or seek information

7. Allows us to control & be controlled-language is power

8. Used to monitor the process of communication

83 Levels of Meaning:Word, Sentence, Speech ActSemantic Meaning: Language at the level of the wordTwo kinds of word meanings:Denotative-public, conventional meaning, dictionaryBelongs to the language system itselfConnotative-private, sometimes emotionally chargedAttached to words through experience & associationBaseball exampleDenotative meaningConnotative meaning

9Semantic meaning cont.Importance of semantic competenceNeed appropriate vocabGroup membership is associated w/ access to special words, ie., jargonSensitivity to connotations

10Syntactic MeaningSyntactic: the study of the process by which words are combined & ordered into grammatical sequencesOrder has meaning-its important to be able to order words appropriately.Important its words appropriately order to be to ableContext usually makes its meaning clearNo, not starboard, you fool! Port! vs. Please dont drop that bottle of priceless vintage port.The ship sails. vs. Ship the sails.Sam wants to marry Claudine. vs. Claudine wants to marry Sam.11Syntactic meaning cont.Syntactic competence:Strict rules govern sentence formThought to be a mark of social & economic statusIndication of intellectual abilityProduct of social learningBelieve that people who use incorrect grammar are too dumb or lazy to use language the right wayUse of incorrect sentence forms shows solidarity

12Pragmatic MeaningPragmatic: language at the level of the speech act-investigates language as it is used in actual interactionSpeech actsPromising, questioning, threatening, praising, declaring, warning, requesting, etc.How do we know what speech acts mean?Coordinated management of meaning CMM-we follow rules that tell us how to understand & produce speech acts13Pragmatic meaning cont.Two kinds of rules in CMM theory:Constitutive Rules-tell us how to recognize speech actsRegulative Rules-identify, in a given context, the speech acts that are appropriate & inappropriateYou look terrible todayIn order to interpret the speakers intended act, consult constitutive rules-to pick right rule, look at context.If uttered by physician, decide it is a diagnosisIf uttered by a friend joking around, the first move in teasing and joking aroundIf uttered by a subordinate who dislikes you, it is likely a challenge to your authority

Pragmatic meaning cont.In order to respond to any comment, consult a regulative rule: what speech acts are appropriated given your goals & your understanding of the context Your regulative rule will tell you not to insult the doctor or assert your authority-You think I look bad, Ill see you in my office in half hourMay be appropriate for joking & if your authority is questionedRule for medical episode: given this context & desire to get advice, proper & polite-What treatment do you suggest?Pragmatic speech act cont.Importance of competence:Avoid embarrassmentIdentify contextual levels accuratelyMany interpersonal problems result from differences in pragmaticsPunctuation Shapes MeaningDefines beginning & endings of interactionsCommunication is punctuated by cause/affectDemand/Withdrawal pattern

Symbolic activitiesNotice how language:Shapes perceptionTotalizesAffects relationshipsNegative language heightens awareness of what another doesnt likeFocusing on good virtues creates greater tolerance of imperfections, etc.

Language EvaluatesWe use language to describe other in evaluative terms-reflects our vales & views (that package we all walk around with & rely on)Loaded & degrading languagePay attention to what terms bother othersSpeak up non-confrontationally about terms bother youHate speech

Speech CommunitiesPeople share norms about how to use talk & what purposes it servesGender differencesFemales: discuss personal, domestic subjects, relationship issues, family, health, reproductive matters & sex/sexuality, weight, food, clothing, men, other women, gossip about close friends & family (no more derogatory than mens)Males: discuss music, current events, sports, business & other men, sex & sexualityBoth sexes: perception that the other sex discusses trivial topicsMore on genderReasons for communicatingDominant cultures of North America-language is used to build & maintain relationshipsCommon goal-friendly, showing interest in other personFemales-involve feelings, relationships, personal problems-talk is the essence of relationships-most common theme is empathy-a kind of contact needed- women spend proportionately more time to maintain relationships in marriagesMales-make conversations fun, joking, good-natured teasing, something men like

More on genderConversational style