1. Chapter 3
Verbal Communication

2. Verbal Communication
Talking and eloquence are not the same: to speak and to speak well are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise speaks.
— Ben Jonson
The notion that thought can be perfectly or even adequately expressed in verbal symbols is idiotic.
— Alfred North Whitehead
The sum of human wisdom is not contained in any one language and no single language is capable of expressing all forms and degrees of human comprehension.
— Ezra Pound

3. Learning Objectives understand the importance of language
see how language and culture are closely linked
understand cultural influences on meaning of words
understand the phenomenon of language diversity
understand cultural influences on discourse patterns and thinking patterns

4. Case 1 A Misunderstanding Caused by a Joke
Roger: Personal Executive, American multinational firm
Rosalita: a Brazilian woman
Why was Roger confused by Rosalita’s behavior?
Please give him an explanation.

5. While-Class Learning A B C D E Language and Culture
The Importance of Language A C
Culture and Word Meaning
Language Diversity D
Discourse Patterns and Thought Patterns E

6. Text A. The Importance of Language
the archives of history
human’s one major characteristic: ability to use language
through it, make contact with outside world
employ words to relate to the past, control over the present, form images of the future
use words to persuade, to exchange ideas, to express views, to seek information, to express feelings
Understanding and appreciation of verbal language
as it functions in intercultural communication

7. Case 2 Slogans and the importance of language
Pepsi
US: Come Alive with the Pepsi Generation.
Chinese: Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave.
Chevy Nova 切维诺瓦 (汽车品牌)
Nova no va no go
What can be reflected concerning intercultural communication?

8. Text B. Pre-reading Activity
How to translate these Chinese names
1. 阿吉
2. 阿祥
3. 阿如
4. 阿意
5. 乐洋洋

9. Text B. Language and Culture
3 categories of relationship between language and culture
1. Language ＋ Culture ＝ A Living Organization
↓ ↓ ↓
Flesh Blood Communication
2. Language ＋ Culture ＝ Swimming
↓ ↓ ↓
Swimming skills Water Communication
3. Language ＋ Culture ＝ Transportation
↓ ↓ ↓
Vehicle Traffic Light Communication

10. Text B. Language and Culture
Relationship between language and culture
Language is part of culture and plays a distinct role in it.
Language is influenced and shaped by culture, it reflects culture.
Language is both a means of communication and a channel of culture.
Language and culture are inseparable.

11. Text B. Language and Culture
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
a influential, controversial theory
language helps mould way of thinking, different languages express unique ways of understanding
language determine thinking patterns
the greater structural differentiation is, the more diverse conceptualization of the world

12. Text B. two versions of Hypothesis
Linguistic Determinism (strong version)
Decisive role of language as shaper of thinking
Linguistic Relativity (weak version)
correlation between language, culture and thought
cross-cultural differences produced in ways of thinking are relative

13. Case 3 Snow
What can be reflected concerning intercultural communication?
How does this relate to the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis?
Can you find some similar examples in your mother tongue?

14. Text C. Culture and Word Meaning
1. Types of Word Meanings
2. Culturally Loaded Words
3. Culture Reflections on Words for Colors, Animals and Plants

15. Concept
two legs
two wings
a beak
features

16. Label
bird （英语）
oiseau (法语）
鸟 （汉语）
鳥類 (日语)

17. Words Cultural memories markers of cultural attention Encoded memories
phenomenon concept label

18. indication What is significant to society Interpretations of the world
Social realities
Snow:
Chinese (Southern, Northern)
Eskimo

19. C1. Types of Word Meanings
Denotative Meaning: objects and concepts
外延意义；指示意义
Connotative Meaning: feelings and associations
内涵意义

20. Denotative meaning 从传统的词汇学角度来讲，词义包括概念意义和内涵意义。
所谓概念意义，也叫外延意义或认知意义（cognitive meaning），就是词汇的最基本意义，是语言符号所代表的事物的基本特征的抽象概括，常视为词语在字典中的定义或释义。
Woman: [+HUMAN], [-MALE], [+ADULT]

21. connotative meaning
所谓内涵意义，是隐含于或附加在概念意义上的意义。社会、群体或个人都可以使一个词具有内涵意义，有时还是很不相同的内涵意义。这种差异既可以存在于两种语言、两种文化之间，也可以存在于一种语言和一种文化的亚文化之间。
Woman:
Dog:
英语中的goose（a man who is a stupid incompetent fool）有“愚蠢、傻瓜”的内涵意义，但汉语中的“鹅”却没有这种不好的内涵意义。

22. 1a. Denotative meaning Categories Real objects Imaginary things
Qualities of objects
Feelings
States of being
Abstractions
Actions

23. 1a. Denotative meaning
Words with one meaning:
report card
Words with more than one meaning:
pot
1) a rounded container
2) a sum of money
3) ruin or deterioration
4) slang for marijuana（大麻）
5）a shot in which a billiard （台球的）ball is pocketed
use the correct word in the correct context to denote the intended meaning

24. Culture determines connotations
1b. Connotative meaning
Culture determines connotations
different connotations for different individuals, depending on experiences
e.g. your report card
carefully choose connotative words
much easier: with many similar experiences; more problematic: from distinct cultures

25. C2. Culturally Loaded Words
Exact equivalent terms in any two languages are rare.
Five categories of words are based on the degree of equivalence.
1) equivalents (or near equivalents)
2) no counterparts
3) the same objects or concepts on the surface
4) only partly equivalent
5) one or two terms in one, but many more in the other

26. 2.1) equivalents (or near equivalents)
Terms in one language that have equivalents (or near equivalents) in the other language.
Comparatively there are fewer such words.
e.g. 1) fox
2) natural substances: scientific, technological terms
Clone sheep Dolly is dead.

27. 2.2) no counterparts
节气：a day marking one of the 24 divisions of the solar year in the traditional Chinese calendar; solar terms
中医的经络：the meridian theories of Chinese medicine
democracy： 1）the political orientation of those who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives；2）a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
privacy
brunch：combination breakfast and lunch; usually served in late morning 早午餐
car pool：a small group of car drivers who arrange to take turns driving while the others are passengers
commuter：someone who travels regularly from home in a suburb to work in a city
splashdown：a landing of a spacecraft in the sea at the end of a space flight 在海中溅落，在海中降落

28. 2.3) same objects/concepts on the surface, different things/connotations
English
Chinese
a person’s spouse：husband, wife, fiancé, or fiancée 爱人
Lover：a man in love with or having a sexual relationship with a woman outside of marriage
a place where one works：a school, a company, a factory or any other institution
单位：in China takes care of almost everything we are to encounter in our life and work

29. 2.4) only partly equivalent
family：
1）a social unit living together
e.g. He moved his ~ to Virginia.
2）primary social group; parents and children
e.g. He wanted to have a good job before starting a ~.
家庭: 以婚姻和血缘为纽带的基本社会单位,包括父母、子女及生活在一起的其他亲属。
play：
1）participate in games or sport
2）~ about/around (with sb/sth): (informal) have a sexual relationship with sb, usually with sb who is not usual partner 鬼混；私混
e.g. Her husband is always ~ing around. 总是在外沾花惹草。
玩：玩耍；玩弄

30. 2.5) one or two in one, many more in the other
祖母，奶奶；外祖母，外婆
1）a social unit living together
e.g. He moved his ~ to Virginia.
2）primary social group; parents and children
e.g. He wanted to have a good job before starting a ~.
grandmother 以婚姻和血缘为纽带的基本社会单位,包括父母、子女及生活在一起的其他亲属。

31. 2.5) one or two in one, many more in the other
English
Chinese
grandmother
祖母，奶奶；外祖母，外婆
teacher
教师, 老师, 教员, 导师, 师长, 先生
Translate:
Linda’s brother married Michael’s sister.

32. C3. Cultural Reflections on Words
a. Words for Colors
b. Words for Animals
c. Words for Plants

33. 3a. Words for Colors
Colors have both similar and different meanings in different languages. e.g. mourning: black? white?
Color
Meaning
English
Chinese
RED
similar: celebrations, joyful occasions
red-letter days, paint the town red
开门红, 红榜, 红火, 又红又专
different
red-handed: in the act of committing a crime or other reprehensible act 正在作案的；手染血的
see red: become angry 突然发怒，大怒
red-light district （美）红灯区（城镇中的妓院区）
The Red Lantern Story 红灯记
WHITE
similar: purity, innocence
white lies: trivial, harmless, well-intentioned untruths
红白喜事：weddings and funerals

34. 3b. Words for Animals Animal English Chinese dog 龙
usually have same denotations in different languages, but very often distinct connotations
Animal
English
Chinese
dog
positive
derogative 贬义的
lucky dog ，work like a dog (拼命工作)
狗急跳墙, 狗仗人势, 狼心狗肺, 狗腿子 龙
dragon: fire-spitting monster
龙：symbol of emperor in ancient
cruel and fierce
almighty（having unlimited power 全能的；有无限权力的 ）
must be destroyed
望子成龙

35. 3b. Words for Plants
usually have same denotations in different languages, but very often distinct connotations

36. Choose the correct meaning of “终身大事”.
Case 4 终身大事
Choose the correct meaning of “终身大事”.
a. 工作
b. 事业
c. 婚姻
d. 生死
Why did the American guest have difficulty figuring out the implied meaning?

37. While-Class Learning: Text D
Language Diversity
1. Dialect
2. Pidgin
3. Lingua Franca
4. Taboo and Euphemism
5. Jargon

38. D1. Dialect British English a variant form of a language
peculiar to a group of people
dialects of English
British English
American English
Black English
ESL English
international English
regional and ethnic group variants of the language

39. D2. Pidgin 洋泾浜语 a special language variety mixing/blending languages
a. for restricted purposes such as trading
b. as a result of colonialization in military-occupied areas
two characteristics
a. no native speakers
b. simple linguistic and grammatical structure
久违了!
Long time no see!

40. D3. Lingua Franca 通用语 highly valued，compared with pidgin
for communication purposes between different groups of people
an international means of communication
Latin
French
English

41. D4. Taboo and Euphemism 委婉语
Taboo：prohibition of a set of avoided behaviors for offensive and impoliteness
Euphemism: linguistic counterpart substituting the offensive and disturbing vocabulary
taboo vary from culture to culture, customs and perceptions of the society play an important role
euphemism: substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt
e.g. “To pass away” is a euphemism for “to die.”
more examples?

42. D5. Jargon 行话
special or technical vocabularies developed to meet the special needs of particular professions
language of a professional, occupational, or other group, often meaningless to outsiders

43. Text E. Discourse Patterns and Thought Patterns
Sources of miscommunication lie in differences in patterns of discourse, depending on thought patterns.
Thought patterns vary greatly.
Two contrasting thought patterns have stronger impact on discourse patterns.
1. Linear and Nonlinear Language
2. Deductive and Inductive Patterns
Chinese
synthesis, imagination, unity, subjectivity, and inductive reasoning
Westerners
analysis, logic, dichotomy, objectivity, and deductive reasoning

44. E.1 Linear and Nonlinear Language
a. Linear language 线性语言
1. a beginning, an end
2. logical, object oriented
3. example: English (time as a continuum of past, present, and future)
4. business practices: short-range planning
b. Nonlinear language 非线性语言
1. circular, tradition oriented and subjective
2. business practices: long-range planning

45. E.1 Linear and Nonlinear Language
5 cultural patterns related to 5 major language groups
1) English
2) Semitic (闪语，是古代美索不达米亚语言的一个支系。闪族人，是起源于阿拉伯半岛的游牧人民。阿拉伯人、犹太人都是闪族人。今天生活在中东北非的大部份居民，不过就是阿拉伯化的古代闪族人的后裔。)
3) Oriental
4) Romance（罗曼语,拉丁系语言(包括意大利语、西班牙语、葡萄牙语、法语和罗马尼亚语等)[亦作Romanic，Romance languages]）
5) Russian

46. 1. 1 English Language Group
a vertical straight line suggesting of “direction”
linear logical development of paragraph
a topic statement
related supporting ideas
a conclusion
linearity, directness, clarity, and logic

47. 1. 3 Oriental Language Group
a circular, spiral line suggesting of “indirection”
organization is “off the point”, “out of focus”, “indirect”, and even “awkward” for English natives
incapable of grasping the main idea or not so honest and straightforward as Westerners

48. E.2 Deductive and Inductive Patterns
Induction
particular/minor points general/major topic
Deduction
general/major topic particular/minor points
Inductive argument
specific/minor arguments placed first, general statement as a conclusion reached
Deductive argument
general statement/major topic presented first, supporting specific statements followed

49. E.2 Deductive and Inductive Patterns
Chinese
Westerners
inductive reasoning
deductive reasoning
delay the topic
advance the topic directly
inductive discourse patterns
deductive discourse patterns

50. Findings:
Both English and Chinese have recourses to the deductive and the inductive.
Chinese have a preference for the inductive because of reluctance to impose.
Westerners tend to think Chinese like to communicate in an indirect way.
Which one to use depends on a number of factors including power difference, social distance and weight of imposition of a request.

51. Thank You