1. Interpersonal
Verbal

2. Language Communities (Speech Communities)
Words are symbols that have understood meaning to the people in a language community.

3. Language Communities (Speech Communities)
Words are symbols that have understood meaning to the people in a language community.
What communities exist in this room? 3

4. Words are Symbols
Arbitrary
Ambiguous
Abstract

5. Symbols are Arbitrary Words do not necessarily have inherent meanings;
rather, we can assign meaning to words based on our own unique frame of reference.

6. Symbols are Arbitrary Words do not necessarily have inherent meanings;
rather, we can assign meaning to words based on our own unique frame of reference.

7. Symbols are Ambiguous Meanings are not clear cut, there
are variations on what a word means.

8. Language is used to Name, describe, classify, and limit Evaluate
Discuss things outside our immediate environment
Talk about language.

9. Language varies over time, across cultures, and with the situation.

10. Assignment: Look up the word “niggardly.” Know the meaning.
Research the following incidents regarding the word:
David Howard’s use of the word in January, and the events that followed.
Amelia Rideau’s problem with the word in February, 1999 at the University of Wisconsin- Madison.

11. Denotative Connotative
The emotions
linked to a
word
The dictionary
definition

12. Third World
Backward
Underdeveloped
Corpse
Dead body
Loved one
War
Defensive response
Massacre
Coffin
Casket
Slumber chamber
Heavy
Overweight
Obese
Handkerchief
Cloth tissue
Nose rag
Laying off
Firing
Downsizing
Cheat
Evade
Use loopholes

13. Three Language Theories
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
Symbolic Interactionism
Coordinated Management of Meaning

14. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
The structure of a culture’s language determines how people think in that culture.
Language defines the way a person behaves and thinks – You are restricted by your vocabulary.
Language is not simply a way of voicing ideas, but is the very thing which shapes our reality.

15. Thought controls language or Language controls thought?
Concept: “People who speak different languages perceive reality and think differently.”

16. Thought controls language or Language controls thought?
Concept: “People who speak different languages perceive reality and think differently.”

17. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Suggests:
“Language and experience are so tightly related that language controls thought.
Thus:
You cannot think of things for which you have no language.
Our language creates and limits our reality.
Your language choices reflect what you think about and how you think.
Do you agree?

18. Language and Meaning pg 87
Symbolic Interactionism is a theory that claims the meaning of words is a product of social interaction.
Whatever meaning a person has for a thing is a result of interactions with others about the thing, ie. the value of gold, diamonds or flowers.
People act toward things based on the meaning those things have for them, ie. flag burning.

19. Language and Meaning, con’t pg 87
Coordinated management of meaning is a theory that demonstrates how people come to any agreement on the meaning of language and behavior.
This says that one individual may subtly propose enacting a certain type of communication, but only when the other person accepts that proposal that the exchange and the rules been agreed upon that the meaning becomes coordinated -
, i.e. “flirting.”

20. Three Language Theories
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
Symbolic Interactionism
Coordinated Management of Meaning

21. Understanding cultural differences helps us understand differences in connotation
Individual
Collective
Low uncertainty
avoidance
High uncertainty
avoidance
Low-context
High-context
Masculine
Feminine
Low power-distance
High power-distance.

22. Individual Collective High uncertainty avoidance Low uncertainty
Individual goals are emphasized more than group goals
Group goals are emphasized more
than individual goals
High uncertainty
avoidance
Low uncertainty
avoidance
Provide security and reduce risk - have little tolerance for deviant behavior
Accept uncertainty and are tolerant of differing behavior
Low-context
High-context
Messages are very
direct
Messages are indirect –
expect others to know how
they’re feeling.

23. Masculine Feminine Low power-distance High power-distance
Cultures that expect people to maintain rigid sex roles
Cultures that allow both men and women to take different roles
Low power-distance
High power-distance
Cultures in which people
show respect for
authority emphasizing
titles, rank, and status.
Cultures in which
inequalities are played
down

24. Identify the 5 Connotative Descriptors for the United States?
Individual
Collective
Low uncertainty
avoidance
High uncertainty
avoidance
Low-context
High-context
Masculine
Feminine
Low power-distance
High power-distance.

25. United States Individual Low uncertainty Avoidance (Tolerant)
Low-context
(Direct – say what we mean)
United States
Masculine (rigid sex defined)
Low power-distance (downplay social distances)

26. Gender Differences in Language
Differences between men’s speech and women’s speech are gender based. Da. . .
Women tend to use more intensifiers and hedges than men.
Women ask questions more frequently than men.
When you use technical terms I feel you know more than me and I feel insignificant.
When you burp in front of my friends, I feel embarrassed.
I appreciate your sensitivity to my hearing deficiencies.
When you make plans without consulting me I feel that you are self-centered.

27. Choose language and symbols
that are adapted to the needs,
interests, knowledge, and attitudes
of listeners in order to avoid
language that alienates them.

28. Language Skills Be specific Use concrete words Date generalizations
Index generalizations & avoid Marking

29. 1. Language Tip
To increase language clarity, develop your vocabulary. This will allow you to use more precise, concrete language when you communicate with others.

30. Strategic Ambiguity
When a speaker chooses to use vague language when interacting with another person. Example, teenagers frequently choose to be more clear, specific, and definite when revealing information to peers than to parents. This serves to preserve family harmony and advances the teen’s natural drive toward independence. (Sillars, 1998)

31. 2. Abstract to Concrete Art abstract Painting Oil Painting
Impressionist Oil Painting
Renoir’s La Promenade
abstract
concrete

32. 2. Rephrase each statement so that it is less abstract and more concrete
Edward always finds something critical to say.
Mr. Wilcox is a fair grader.
Let’s keep our trip from getting too expensive.
Politicians are dishonest.

33. Group Exercise
“He’s a Snake” 33

34. Initials Concrete Word Example
Instructions: A. Identify the names of 5 people you know. You may like or dislike them. B. Identify one “concrete” word that describes each individual. C. Back up each concrete word with an example.
Initials
Concrete
Word
Example
Person #1
Person #2
Person #3
Person #4
Person #5

35. 3. Date Information
Specify a time that indicates when a given fact was true or known to be true.
Palm Springs is really popular with the college crowd.
When we were in Palm Springs two years ago, it was really popular with the college crowd.
-Verderber/Verderber

36. 4. Indexing(Qualified) Generalizations
Mentally or verbally accounting for individual differences
Because men are stronger than
women, Max is stronger than Barbara.
In general, men are stronger than women, so Max is probably stronger than Barbara.
-Verderber/Verderber

37. 4. Generic Man Alternative Police officer Policeman Man-made Synthetic
All of mankind
All the people in the world
-Wood

38. 4. How would you change the following terms to avoid sexism?
Fireman
Waitress
Repairman
Stewardess
Mailman
Chairman
Cleaning lady
Congressman
Anchorman
Freshman
Man-made Hand made
Waitress Server
Repairman Technician
Mailman Mail Carrier
Chairman Chair or Chairperson
Cleaning Lady Cleaning Person
Congressman Congressperson or Legislator
Coed Female student
Freshman First year student

39. 4. Marking The unnecessary addition of sex,
race, age, or other designations to
a general word.
Unnecessary
“He is planning to be a male
kindergarten teacher.” 39

40. 4. Marking The unnecessary addition of sex,
race, age, or other designations to
a general word.
“He is planning to be a male
kindergarten teacher.”

41. Practice Communication Accommodation
Communication accommodation theory explains that people change their language patterns to accommodate their partner. This is a practice is called convergence. It’s opposite is divergence.

42. Demonstrate Linguistic Sensitivity
Choosing language that respects others and avoids usages that others perceive as offensive.

43. Speaking Appropriately
Adapt to the situation.
Monitor your language to avoid:
Language that offends or alienates
Jargon & slang
Profanity
Generic “he” and “man” when referring to both men and women
Use I-language to own your thoughts and feelings.

45. Today’s Language
What are five “new” words that have become popular in the last five years?
What are five “old” (obsolete) words that are no longer commonly used.
List five words with extremely negative emotional connotations in our society right now.
List five common slang terms.