1. Verbal Communication 1 Focus Questions What is the relationship between language and thought? How do labels affect meaning? What are the implications of recognizing that language is a process? How do rules guide communication? How does punctuation influence the meaning of communication?

2. Verbal Communication 2 Language and Meaning Language (words) in the human world Features of Language (Symbols) Arbitrary Not intrinsically connected to what is represented; no natural relationship Commonly shared & used in a society; meaning changes over time Ambiguous No precise, clear-cut meanings; within a range of meaning but with degrees of uncertainty Specific to contexts, individual experience; relationships Abstract Not concrete or tangible Various abstractness (degrees away from external, objective phenomenon) e.g, “reading matter” 讀物

3. Verbal Communication 3 Symbols and Meaning Ladder of Abstraction (Korzybski & Hayakawa) Steps away from observed phenomenon See Figure 4.1 (page 103) Overgeneralization General language to describe groups of people Perceptions (recall) consistent with labels used Labels predispose selective perception

4. Verbal Communication 4 “Cow” 抽象化階梯 Cow: not the word, but the object experience “ Bessie ” : the name we give to the object (cow) Cow: common characteristics; not peculiar to specific ones Cow: consists of atoms, electronics … etc; scientific reference Livestock: referring to characteristics in common with chicken, goats.. Farm assets: in common with other salable items on the farm Asset: all valuable things Wealth: characteristics of “ Bessie ” are left out. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

5. Verbal Communication 5 Principles of Communication Interpretation creates meaning Active, creative process of making sense Process of constructing meaning Brute facts vs. Institutional facts Brute fact: objective, concrete phenomena (e.g., huddling in football) Institutional fact: interpreted meaning of brute fact (players planning the next step) Communication is guided by rules (p. 106: task-to-do) Rule learning through socialization Regulative rules: specify when, how, where… Constitutive rules: define meaning

6. Verbal Communication 6 Principles of Communication (continued) Punctuation affects meaning Marks a flow of activity into meaning units Determines initiation, interaction, invitation, participation… In personal relationships: demand-withdraw pattern (Figure 4.2, p. 108)

7. Verbal Communication 7 Symbolic Abilities Language defines phenomena Totalizing: one label represents a person totally; ignoring other aspects Totalizing: spotlighting an aspect; stereotyping: describing with group characteristics Language evaluates phenomena (not neutral) Symbols are loaded with ‘value’ Loaded language Language organizes experiences Categories that we place people

8. Verbal Communication 8 Symbolic Abilities (2) Language allows hypothetical thinking Visions of the future Language allows self-reflection I : spontaneous, creative self Me: socially conscious self 佛洛依德︰ id 本我 – unconscious & instinctive ego 自我 – between id and superego superego 超我 – of moral and social rules

9. Verbal Communication 9 Symbolic Abilities (3) Language defines relationships & interaction Three dimensions of relationship-level meaning Responsiveness: question & statements (responses, feedback) Liking: When we say “I care about you.” Power: Establishing control

10. Verbal Communication 10 Guidelines for Verbal Comm. Engage in person-centered communication Be conscious of levels of abstraction Qualify language Avoid overgeneralization Avoid static evaluation: She ‘is’ selfish Indexing technique: evaluation only applies to specific times, circumstances Own your feelings and thoughts: Claim feelings but not blame others for that You vs. I language (p. 120) (Note: Chinese cultural & syntax differences)