1. Language: Barrier or Bridge
Chapter Summary
Language is Symbolic
Understanding and Misunderstanding
The Impact of Language
Gender and Language
Culture and Language 1

2. Signs Language is Symbolic
Signs have a direct connection with communication
Language is symbolic
Symbols enable more effective communication
Not all languages use the same symbols
Messages mean different things to different people
“Take a little of the top,” means one thing to you and another to the barber 2

3. Understanding and Misunderstanding
Understanding Words
Semantic Rules
The way users of language assign meaning to a word
Bikes are for riding and books are for reading
Equivocation
Statements that have more than one associated meaning
Some amusing newspaper headlines
“Family Catches Fire Just in Time, “Trees Can Break Wind,” and “Man Stuck on Toilet; Stool Suspected” 3

4. Understanding and Misunderstanding
Understanding Words
Relative Language
Words that gain meaning by comparison
“Fast and Slow,” “Smart and Stupid,” “Short and Long.”
Relative language is not always clear
How cheap is cheap?
Static Evaluation
Statements that contain or imply the word is
Subscripting is a devise that reduces static evaluation 4

5. Understanding and Misunderstanding
Understanding Words
FIGURE 5.1
Page 161
Abstraction
Abstract vs. Behavior Language
Specific things people do or say
Overly abstract language can lead to serious problems
Specific language can be undesirable and even seen as rude 5

6. Understanding and Misunderstanding
Understanding Structure
Syntactic Rules
Govern the grammar of language
We tend to notice when they’re violated
African-American English (AAE)
It is important to look past syntax in order to avoid miscommunication
“I be angry,” vs. “I am angry.” 6

7. Understanding and Misunderstanding
Understanding Context
Pragmatic Rules
Pragmatic rules govern the way speech works in everyday interaction
Pragmatic rules govern common saying such as:
“How’s it going,” and “What’s up.”
If someone were to answer these questions literally we’d be confused
Even has PRAGMATIC RULES (stop yelling) 7

8. Naming and Identity The Impact of Language
Research suggests that names are more than just means of identification
Names can shape and reinforce a child's identity
Naming a child after a family member can create a bond
Names also play a role in the identity of groups
Labeling of ethnic groups have changed as our culture has developed different sensitivities 8

9. Affiliation The Impact of Language
Communicators are attracted to those with similar speaking styles
Communicators who wish to show group affiliation will adapt
This process is called convergence
Converges can also take place in the virtual world
and IM users have commonly recognized acronyms
“LOL,” “ROTFL,” “JK,” and “BRB.”
Can you think of any others? 9

10. The Impact of Language
ABC News Video
Click on box to play video 10

11. Power The Impact of Language
Notice the difference between the two statements
“Excuse me, sir. I hate to say this, but I uh I guess I won’t be able to turn in the assignment on time. I had a personal emergency, and well . . .it was just impossible to finish it by today. I’ll have it on your desk on Monday, OK?” or
“I won’t be able to turn in the assignment on time. I had a personal emergency, and it was impossible to finish it by today. I’ll have it on your desk Monday.” 11

12. Disruptive Language The Impact of Language Opinion Statements
Opinion statements can never be proved or disproved
Consider these examples from page 173
Fact Opinion
You forgot my birthday. You don’t care about me.
You keep interrupting me. You’re a control freak.
You tell a lot of ethnic jokes. You’re a bigot. 12

13. Disruptive Language The Impact of Language Fact-Interference Confusion
Conclusions arrived at from an interpretation of evidence
Instead of trying to guess the other person’s emotion use the skill of perception checking we learned in Chapter 3
Emotive Language
Seems to describe but actually announces the speakers attitude toward it 13

14. Disruptive Language The Impact of Language
Remember to take responsibility for your emotions
Nonemotive statements are more accurate and have a better chance of being received accurately by others 14

15. The Language of Responsibility
The Impact of Language
The Language of Responsibility
“It”
These statements replace the personal pronoun “I” with it
“I” language clearly Identifies the speaker
“But”
The word “but” cancels the thought before it
“You’re a really great person, but I think we should see other people”
“You’ve done great work for us, but we’re going to have to let you go” 15

16. The Language of Responsibility
The Impact of Language
The Language of Responsibility
“I” and “You” Language
“I” language accepts responsibility
“You” expresses judgment
“You left this place a mess!”
“You didn’t keep your promise!”
“You” language doesn’t have to contain the word “you”
That was a stupid joke, translates to your jokes are stupid.
Mind your own business translates to you’re too nosey 16

17. The Language of Responsibility
The Impact of Language
The Language of Responsibility
A complete “I” statement has four elements. It describes
the other person’s behavior
your interpretation
your feelings
consequence that the other person’s behavior has for you 17

18. The Language of Responsibility
The Impact of Language
The Language of Responsibility
“We” Language
Implies the issue is the concern of both parties
“We need to figure out a budget that doesn’t bankrupt us.”
“We aren’t doing a very good job of keeping this place clean.”
“We” language suggests that “we’re” in this together
“We” statements are not always appropriate 18

19. Content Gender and Language Conversation Traits Male Female Music
Current events
Sports
Business
Other men
Female
Personal and domestic subjects
Relationships
Family
Health
Reproductive matters 19

20. Reasons for Communicating
Gender and Language
Reasons for Communicating
The goals of almost all ordinary conversations contain
Being friendly
Showing interest
Talking about topics that interest the other person
If these rules are ignored the conversation can become unpleasant for all who are involved 20

21. Conversational Style Gender and Language
Women ask more questions in mixed-sex conversations
Men tend to interrupt more in mixed-sex conversations
Women use conversation to pursue social needs
Statements of emotion are much more common
“I’ve felt the same way myself.”
“How did you feel about that?” 21

22. Nongender Variables Gender and Language
The link between gender and language is not clear cut
The language between the sexes is more similar than different
Woman use less powerful language
Historical role in society at large
Powerless speech can help build rapport
Men and women speak within their gender roles 22

23. Verbal Communication Styles
Culture and Language
Verbal Communication Styles
Each language has its own unique style
Verbal styles vary in their directness
High-context culture
Value language to maintain social harmony
Low-context culture
Value language to express thoughts and feelings
Is the language Elaborate or Succinct 23

24. Language and Worldview
Culture and Language
Language and Worldview
Linguistic Relativism
The worldview of a culture is shaped and reflected by the language its members speak 24

25. Language: Barrier or Bridge
Chapter Summary
Language is Symbolic
Understanding and Misunderstanding
The Impact of Language
Gender and Language
Culture and Language 25