4 InterAct th 13 Edition Verbal 1 Language

4: Inter-Act, th 13 Edition Verbal 1

Language A symbolic system used by people to communicate verbal or written messages 2

Language • Lexicon – collection of words and expressions • Phonology – sounds used to pronounce words 3

Language Community • Language community: group of people who share a common language • Languages are collections of dialects. • Dialect: form of the language spoken by a specific culture or co-culture, understood by the larger language community • Speech community: speak a common dialect, particular style, observe common linguistic norms or scripts • Privileged dialect marks one as part of the “in-group” of society. 4

Characteristics of Language • • Arbitrary Ambiguous Abstract Self-reflective Changeable Revealing Hierarchical 5

Language and Meaning • Semantic meaning – the meaning derived from the language itself • Words – arbitrarily chosen symbols used by a speech community to name things 6

Levels of Meaning • Denotation – the direct, explicit meaning of a word found in a dictionary • Connotation – the feelings or evaluations we personally associate with a word 7

Improving Message Semantics 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Use specific language. Date information. Index generalizations. Adapt language to listeners. Demonstrate linguistic sensitivity. 8

Abstract to Concrete Art abstract Painting Oil Painting Impressionist Oil Painting Renoir’s La Promenade concrete 9

Rephrase each statement so that it is less abstract and more concrete: • Edward always finds something critical to say. • Most people have lost any sense of personal responsibility. • Let’s keep our trip from getting too expensive. • Politicians are dishonest. 10

Dating 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. 11

Indexing Generalizations Mentally or verbally account 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. 12

Adapt Language to Listener • Use vocabulary the listener understands. • Use jargon sparingly. • Use slang appropriately. 13

Linguistic Sensitivity • Monitor your language to avoid: – Language that offends or alienates – Pointing out a person’s race, sex, etc. (nonparallel language) – Prejudicial language • Use inclusive language. 14

Avoid “Generic” Man Inclusive language Policeman Police officer Man-made Synthetic All of mankind All the people in the world -Wood 15

How would you change the following terms to avoid sexism? • • • Fireman Waitress Repairman Stewardess Mailman • • • Chairman Cleaning lady Congressman Anchorman Freshman 16

Conversations • Pragmatic meaning: meaning that arises from understanding the practical consequences of the utterance • Speech act: verbal message that implies how the listener should respond • Cooperative principle: conversational partners are able to understand meaning because they assume their partners are collaborating 17

Conversation Maxims • Quality maxim: Tell the truth, the whole truth, and only the truth. • Quantity maxim: Provide the “right” amount of information. • Relevancy maxim: Relate what you say to the topic being discussed. • Manner maxim: Be orderly in what you say. 18

Language and Culture • Sociolinguistic meaning: varies in meaning according to norms and expectations of a particular co-culture • Idioms: expressions used by members of a language or speech community whose meaning differs from the usual meanings in that combination of words: “The gas I bought today cost an arm and a leg!” 19

Verbal Styles Direct Verbal Style • Openly states the speaker’s intention • Straightforward, unambiguous • Low-context cultures Indirect Verbal Style • Masks the speaker’s true intention • Roundabout, vague message • High-context cultures 20

Improving Sociolinguistic Understanding • Develop intercultural competence. • Practice mindfulness, the process of drawing novel distinctions. • Recognize, respect, and adapt to the sociolinguistic practices of others. 21