Language The World of Words

The Nature of Language

Language is Symbolic Symbols are Arbitrary Symbols are Ambiguous Symbols are Abstract

Language is Rule-Guided Phonological Rules – how language sounds Syntactic Rules – how symbols are arranged Semantic Rules – meanings attributed to symbols Pragmatic Rules – inform about appropriate interpretations of symbols –Regulative rules –Constitutive rules

Language is Subjective We each ascribe different meanings to the same words/language. “Meanings are in people, not in words” Punctuation

Discuss your group’s quotation, and come up with a concrete example of the point being made in the quotation. Group 1: “I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.” Group 2: “When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone, “it means just as I choose it to mean – neither more nor less.” Group 3: “Learn a new language and get a new soul.” Group 4: “What ’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

The Impact of Language

We can think about language as being… or

Naming and Identity Language shapes our identity Language shapes our perceptions of others Naming something makes it real to us Naming the problem Validation CAT

Credibility and Status Your use of language influences how credible others perceive you to be, and how much status they afford you. You make judgments about others’ credibility and status based on their language use. so… By monitoring how you use language, you can help others see you as having more power and credibility. But we also stereotype about others based on what we think is “proper” or “improper” language, and others stereotype us.

Affiliation, Attraction, and Interest The language we use helps us to fit in with others, or to differentiate ourselves from others. Convergence Divergence

Power Powerful (?) speech mannerisms –Directness –Conversational control –Less responsive Less powerful (?) speech mannerisms –Hedges –Hesitations –Intensifiers –Polite forms –Tag questions –Disclaimers Gender and Culture Variations

Racism and Sexism Language defines race and gender –Can be inclusive or exclusive (e.g., firemen vs. firefighters; he vs. he or she) –Definitions based on different criteria (e.g., Smith wins election! Vs. Black leader wins election! Vs. Smith becomes first lady governor!) –Language names what exists (e.g., discrimination) Language organizes perceptions of race and gender –(e.g., girl, chick, lady, bitch, woman) –(e.g., Negro, Black, African-American, person of color) Language evaluates race and gender –Language is frequently demeaning to women and people of color Language allows self-reflection –Language allows us to think about ourselves and how we want to define ourselves and others Language is a process –Language can change to be more inclusive and less oppressive (e.g., Ms., harassment, racial profiling)

Communication Cultures

Communication Cultures… “Exist when people share norms about how to use talk and what purpose it serves.” Are defined by shared understandings of how to communicate Have distinct “rules” Can be based on: –Ethnicity –Gender –SES –Less formal characteristics (age, occupation, etc.)

Some Specific Types of Language and Suggestions for Improving Verbal Communication

Communicating Precisely or Vaguely Equivocal Language –Words/Phrases with multiple meanings –Listeners questions and feedback are important Abstractions –Can lead to stereotyping, confusion, relationship miscommunications –Using behavioral descriptions can be helpful Euphemisms Relative Language (e.g., fast, slow, easy, hard) –Try giving specifics, or scaling Static Evaluations –Stable characteristic vs. behavior

Conveying Responsibility “It” Language “You” Language “I” Language –“I” Statement The other person’s behavior Your feelings The consequences the other person’s behavior has on you “We” Language “But” Statements

A Few Common Errors Fact-Opinion Confusion –Can clarify when a statement is an opinion Fact-Inference Confusion –Identify the facts that have led to your interpretation, and ask for feedback (Perception-Checking) Emotive Language –May be helpful to use more neutral language

Some Suggestions… Strive for Accuracy and Clarity (especially when you don’t have much shared understanding &/or when conflict is present) Own Your Own Thoughts and Feelings Engage in Dual Perspective (Empathy) Respect What Others Say About Their Feelings and Ideas