Comm 100-day5

Agenda Administrative Attendance Grades Questions? Journals today Exams by the end of the week Questions? Lecture—Verbal Communication (6:35-7:40) Lecture Journaling Break (7:40-7:55) Activity—Radio Address (7:55-8:55)

What is verbal communication? consists of spoken language. describes the verbal symbols we use. takes as its units of analysis words and sentences. is used to express meanings to others.

Theories of language Sapir-Whorf hypothesis Speech act theory Language shapes our perception of reality. The way we think is affected by our native language Linguistic relativity—structural differences between languages are paralleled by nonlinguistic cognitive differences. Linguistic determinism—the structure of language determines our worldview. Speech act theory Linguistic utterances can be used to carry out actions. Locution Illocution Perlocution

Theories of Language We know that language is arbitrary, abstract, and ambiguous social symbolic systematic vocal non-instinctive, conventional productive and creative

abstraction

Ladder of abstraction MOST ABSTRACT Action: Avoid interacting with Nick. Judgment: Nick is a selfish and immature person. Label applied: Nick is taking more than his share of time. Perceived behavior: Nick asks a lot of questions during the meeting. Concrete phenomena: Nick moves around a lot; he says he is worried about making a good grade in the course; and he asks many questions. LEAST ABSTRACT

Principles of verbal messages The meanings of messages are in people. Verbal messages are connotative and denotative Connotation Denotation Snarl words Purr words Messages can deceive Messages can vary in assertiveness

Principles of verbal messages Verbal communication is guided by rules Communication rules Regulative rules Constitutive rules Verbal communication is punctuated

The Nature of Verbal Messages Messages can be confirming or disconfirming Confirmation Disconfirmation Rejection Disconfirming language often rejects someone’s identity Ableism Racist speech Heterosexist speech Ageist speech Sexist speech

The Nature of verbal messages Types of verbal communication Assertive Aggressive Passive

Effective verbal communication Engage in person centered communication People are different from one another That doesn’t men they’re not people first People change, so avoid static evaluations Be conscious of abstraction Qualify your language Own your thoughts and feelings

Journaling Have you ever had a disconnect with someone due to language? Explain. What caused the difficulty and what would have fixed it? Do you agree or disagree with the idea of linguistic determinism? Given an example of how this concept has played out in your relationship with someone who is close to you.

Activity: Radio Address Your task is to develop a verbal and vocal message that might be aired on the radio. You will deliver your message in such a way that your audience cannot see you. Criteria: You must develop either an advertisement or a news story: The advertisement must persuade your audience to purchase some fantastic or fictional product. The news story must tell your audience of an impending apocalyptic event—an alien invasion, a zombie apocalypse, a horrific natural disaster, World War III, etc. You must use elements of verbal communication and paralanguage. You must use voice to create characters. You must develop a 3 minute spot.

Radio address