Communicating Verbally Chapter 4 Understanding Verbal Symbols Language

Communicating Verbally Chapter 4

Understanding Verbal Symbols • Language – system of symbols that allows us to convey meaning • Grammar – set of rules dictating how words can be combined Chapter 4 2

Understanding Verbal Symbols » Encoding – forming messages to be sent • Decoding – applying meaning to the message or code Chapter 4 3

Attributes of Verbal Symbols • Words are symbolic • Language evolves • Words are powerful Chapter 4 4

Attributes of Verbal Symbols • Meanings for words can be denotative or connotative – Denotative – literal, agreed on meaning of a symbol (dictionary definition) – Connotative – personal meaning based on past and subjective experiences Chapter 4 5

Words Vary in Abstraction – from concrete to abstract • • Process of abstraction Strategic ambiguity Equivocation Euphemisms Chapter 4 6

Factors Affecting Verbal Symbols • Culture and ethnicity – – Chapter 4 Idiom Phatic communication Code-switching Speech communities 7

Factors Affecting Verbal Symbols • Sex and gender – Two-culture theory – belief that being male or being female constitutes different cultures with different rules, norms, and language patterns Chapter 4 8

Factors Affecting Verbal Symbols • Generation – age cohorts distinguish themselves from the generation before them • Context – setting or situation in which the transaction occurs Chapter 4 9

The Dark Side of Verbal Symbols • Polarization – using language in extremes or an either-or fashion Chapter 4 10

The Dark Side of Verbal Symbols • Rectification – when we respond to the word or label instead of the things themselves • Muting – language use that lets some ideas and experiences go unnamed Chapter 4 11

The Dark Side of Verbal Symbols • Sexist language use – Generic he – Man-linked words • Racist language use • Homophobic language Chapter 4 12

The Bright Side of Verbal Codes • Confirmation - use language in such a way as validate and support the another person • Disconfirmation - use language in such a way as to ignore and disregard another person Chapter 4 13

Choices for Improving Verbal Communication • Perspective taking – cultivating a respect for other’s and their viewpoints • Owning of our thoughts and feelings – I-messages vs. you-messages Chapter 4 14

Choices for Improving Verbal Communication • Understanding the ladder of abstraction • Indexing • Probe the middle ground Chapter 4 15