Whip Around If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Be prepared to share aloud with the class.

Chapter 4 Connecting through Verbal Communication Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Language Activity Refer to handout. Work with 1-2 partners. Be honest and be prepared to share aloud.

The Importance of Language Language is a structured system of signs, sounds, gestures, or marks used to express ideas and feelings among people within a community Language is powerful Affects our thought Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Language Is Powerful Muted Group Theory: suggests that power and status in communication are linked. Groups who feel underrepresented or marginalized feel more silenced then the dominate or more powerful groups in the society. Style-Switch: refers to when people from a sub or co- culture will use one language or style with similar group members but will switch to the “dominant” or generally promoted culture when appropriate. My husband and grandchildren fossil collecting

The Elements of Language The elements of language are sounds, words, grammar, and meaning. Sounds Words Grammar Meaning

The Elements of Language Sounds The first element of language is the concept of sound. We are able to produce sounds before we know language. Sounds help us create language so we can share meaning.

The Elements of Language Words Words, the second element of language, are symbols that stand for objects or concepts. Words have meaning because communities and cultures give them meaning. Idioms are words with meanings that cannot be understood according to usage.

The Elements of Language Grammar The third element of language is grammar. Grammar is the term for rules that govern how words may be joined into phrases and sentences. These rules are crucial to competent communication.

The Elements of Language Meaning The study of meaning, the fourth element of language, is called semantics. Words have denotative and connotative meaning. Denotation is a word’s standard dictionary definition. Connotation is what a word suggests because of feelings or associations it evokes. Words can be concrete or abstract. Words can be specific or vague.

The Elements of Language Meaning Meaning depends on commonalities. Language can obscure meanings. Jargon is language used by certain groups that may be too specialized to be understood by the general population. Slang is language used by groups to keep the meaning of the communication within the group. Euphemism is the use of an inoffensive or mild expression in place of one that might offend. Doublespeak is the deliberate misuse of language to distort meaning.

Language Can Obscure Meanings Regional variations: The local expressions that vary from one geographic are to the next. Slang: Cultural expressions influenced by popular, geographic, ethnic and regional culture within a group or community https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGXAZn wFHB8 Jargon: Technical language used by specific disciplines and groups that is too specialized for the general population. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2f8Pjh9 IcA

Language Can Obscure Meanings Euphemisms: The use of inoffensive or mild language in place of one that might offend, cause embarrassment, or suggest something unpleasant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxR2MebjM5A Doublespeak: The deliberate misuse or distortion of language to purposefully create vague meaning. How do I look?  “Better than Lindsey Lohan.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjwqwa21jeU

Language-Based Barriers to Communication Attitude shaping Indiscrimination: Neglecting individual differences and overemphasis of similarities; stereotyping. Indexing: Technique to reduce stereotyping by recognizing individual differences by events persons or ideas. Dating: A form of indexing that sorts people, events, or ideas by chronological timeline; generational identity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aVUoy9r0CM (The Office, Diversity Training) Meanings Can Be Misunderstood Misunderstanding between a sender and a receiver is called bypassing.

Language-Based Barriers to Communication (cont.) Polarization: to view things in extremes Pendulum effect: the escalating conflicts between two opposing points of view E.g. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie

Language-Based Barriers to Communication Meanings Can Be Misunderstood Language Can Shape Our Attitudes Language Can Cause Polarization Culture Affects Language Use Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Language-Based Barriers to Communication Language can be sexist or homophobic. Our goal should be to use gender-inclusive language, language that does not discriminate against males or females. Sexist language creates sexual stereotypes or implies that one gender is superior to another.

Language-Based Barriers to Communication (cont.) Culture Linguistic determinism: Theory that language determines and shapes thought Linguistic relativity: Theory that suggests that a person’s language community shapes perception

Language-Based Barriers to Communication (cont.) Culture: Hall’s Theory of Context High context: A culture in which of the meaning of the communication is driven from the location or situation Low context: A culture in which the meaning of the communication is driven from the messages themselves.

Language and Technology Refines and redefines culture Advantages vs. disadvantages Influence on thought Changing the very vocabulary of modern language Increasing the awareness of the world through social media and access to information Chapter 4 page 92 © Juice Images/Alamy Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Language and Technology Technology is redefining language and is creating an new perception of language Terminology that is being absorbed in the culture – Social networking, texting, etc…

How to Use Language Effectively Use Accurate Language A wrong word can distort the intended message. Use Vivid Language Vividness is active, direct, and fresh language that brings a sense of excitement, urgency, and forcefulness to a message. Use Immediate Language Verbal immediacy identifies and projects the speaker’s feelings and makes the message more relevant to the listener.

How to Use Language Effectively Use Appropriate Language Different kinds of language are appropriate to different situations. Use of inappropriate language damages credibility. Use Metaphorical Language A metaphor is a figure of speech that associates two things or ideas that are not commonly linked, as a form of description.

Think-Pair-Share (with someone you have not worked with) Why do three people who witness the same event see and describe it in various ways? How or why do some communication interactions work better than others? What kinds of problems do you encounter when communicating with others? What do you do to get around those problems or reach understanding?

Eddie Lizzard http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hJQsvoY6VU

Quiz 4

Group Project Work Time