1. Verbal communication + interpersonal
Chapter 4 Recap/Lecture
Verbal communication + interpersonal

2. What is verbal communication?
Written
Face-to-face
Use of words to communicate message
Part of communicating effectively
Relationship to interpersonal communication?

3. Use of Symbols Language = System of Symbols Words = Verbal Symbols
Grammar = Rules for use of words/symbols
Encoding and Decoding – difference?

4. Verbal symbols…. Are symbolic Evolve Vary in level of abstraction
Impacted by culture?
Evolve
Over time
Because of technology
Examples?
Vary in level of abstraction
Can be intentional (strategic ambiguity, equivocation “You are always so kind to me! Thanks for the gift!”, euphemisms “Pardon me while I run to the powder room.” )

5. Verbal symbols … Have denotative and connotative meaning Difference?

6. Connotative vs. Denotative Meaning
What do these words mean?
Hot
Scrub
Crazy
Bad
Jumping
Thirsty
Swag

7. Verbal symbols….are powerful
Positively
Negatively
Static Evaluation
Polarization
Reification*
Muting
Sexist language
Racist language
Homophobic language
Albeist language
Building relationships
Inclusion
Confirmation
Problem solving

8. Improving Verbal Communication
Perspective taking
I-Messages
Understanding ladder of abstraction
Indexing
Probing middle ground

9. Influences on Verbal Symbols

10. Sex and Gender Two-culture theory Some argue:
Women use: more rapport talk, modifiers, polite talk
Also align those traits with femininity
Debate over if difference exist
Application Exercise

11. Culture and Ethnicity Symbolic Interactionism Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
Related to…
Linguistic determinism
Linguistic relativity
Phatic communication
Code switching
Codabiliy
Speech communities
Idioms

12. Generation Differences based on Shared experiences
New technologies (or lack thereof)
Co-culture

13. Context Determines appropriateness e.g. “Shut up”
Consider all elements in environment, such as:
Situation
Time
Relationship
Nonverbal cues
Relationship between verbal and nonverbal
Will discuss with Chapter 5