Chapter 4

VerbalCommunication

• Describe the power of language—the system of symbols we use to think about and communicate our experiences and feelings

• Identify the ways language works to help people communicate—the five functional communication competencies

Chapter Outcomes

Chapter Outcomes (cont.)

• Label communication problems with language and how to address them

• Describe how language reflects, builds on, and determines context

The system of symbols (words) that we use to think about and communicate experiences and feelings

Language

• Language is symbolic.• Words have multiple meanings.

– Denotative: accepted definition– Connotative: emotional or attitudinal

response

• Thought informs language and vice versa.– Cognitive language: specific symbols

used to describe ideas, situations, and so on

The Nature of Language

• Language is ruled by a system of rules (grammar).– Phonological rules: pronunciation– Syntactic rules: word placement in a

sentence

• Language is bound by context.– Competent communication means

understanding a situation.

The Nature of Language (cont.)

• Communication acquisition involves:– Learning words of a

language– Using the words

appropriately and effectively in the context of the situation

The Functions of Language

Functional Communication Competencies

• Using language as a means of control to influence oneself, others, environment

• Using language to share information, which involves:– Questioning– Describing– Reinforcing– Withholding

Functional Communication Competencies (cont.)

• Using language to express feelings appropriately and effectively

• Using language to express creativity– Imagining: ability to think, play, and be

creative in communication

• Using language as a form of ritual– Ritualizing: learning the rules for

managing conversations and relationships

Problems with Language

• Abstraction and Meaning– High- and low-level abstractions

(abstraction ladder)– Evasion: avoiding giving details– Equivocation: using unclear words– Euphemism: using inoffensive words– Slang: using informal, nonstandard

words– Jargon: using technical language

Problems with Language (cont.)

• The Abstraction Ladder

Problems with Language (cont.)

• Situation and Meaning– Semantics: meanings words have for

people based on relationships between symbols, objects, people, and concepts

– Pragmatics: ability to use cultural symbol systems appropriately

• Limits of Labeling– Accepting labels may overlook

individual differences.

The Dangers of Biased Language (cont.)

• Biased language openly excludes or implies something negative about certain groups.

• Politically correct language uses neutral terms in place of biased language.– May avoid real issues in favor of politeness– Allows people to be both sensitive and

accurate when choosing words

The Dangers of Biased Language (cont.)

• Profanity: insulting, rude, vulgar, or disrespectful words or expressions– Some may see offensive words as

reasonably hostile, based on the situational context.

• Civility: social norm for appropriate behavior– Follow guidelines for civil language.

Guidelines for More Civil Language

• Use no words rather than offensive ones.• Use words appropriate to your specific

listener.• Choose temperate, accurate words over

inflammatory ones when commenting on ideas, issues, or persons.

• Use objective, respectful, nondiscriminatory language.

• Use clean language at all times when at work.

Language in Context

• Language reflects context(Have a variety of speech

repertoires)

• Language builds on context(Adjust language to situation)

• Language determines context(Choose formal / informal language)

Language in Context (cont.)

• The Relational Context:– Using language and levels of

abstraction to create / reflect a relationship

Language in Context (cont.)

• The Situational Context:– High language: formal, polite, or

“mainstream” language– Low language: informal, casual

language for more comfortable environments•Includes slang

– Sex and gender are part of situational context.

Language in Context (cont.)

• The Cultural Context:– Culture, Words, and Thought

•Sapir-Whorf hypothesis: A culture’s words influence thinking.

•Linguistic determinism: Language influences how we see the world.

•Linguistic relativity: Speakers of different languages have different views of the world.

Language in Context (cont.)

• The Cultural Context (cont.)

– Gender and language affect communication.• Males: use interruptions• Females: use intensifiers, qualifiers,

hedges, disclaimers, tag questions• Both use resistance messages differently.

Language in Context (cont.)

• The Cultural Context (cont.)

– Geography and language affect communication and understanding of the world.

– Accommodation means adapting to another person.• Code switching• Style switching

Language in Context (cont.)

• Mediated contexts– Communication via technology

requires strong, clear language.• Powerful or intense language may receive

more attention.

– English has become the language of the Internet and mass media.

– Acronyms and emoticons can enhance, or hinder, communication.