Chapter 3 Objectives Define and identify characteristics of language Identify rules that govern language use Explain how language and culture are intertwined Describe unique language and its impact on communication Demonstrate effective verbal communication skills
What is Language ? A collection of symbols, letters, or words with arbitrary meanings that are governed by rules and used to communicate
What is Language? Language Has Rules Semantic rules Syntactic rules Pragmatic rules
What is Language? Language and Culture are Intertwined Transmission of culture occurs through language Culture creates a lens through which we perceive the world and create shared meaning We create language to describe our environment
What is Language? Language Organizes and Classifies Reality Language is used to classify what we see and experience Your identity is symbolically created through language
What is Language? Language is Arbitrary Denotative and connotative meanings Meanings are personal Context affects meaning
What is Language?
What is Language? Language is Abstract Words stand for ideas and things but they are not the same as those ideas and things “The word is not the thing.”
What is Language?
Unique & Unusual Language Grammatical errors Colloquialisms Clichés Euphemisms & doublespeak Slang Profanity Jargon Regionalisms Sexist, racist, and heterosexist language
Improving Your Language Skills Avoid intentional confusion Use descriptiveness Check your perceptions Paraphrase Use operational definitions Define your terms
Improving Your Language Skills Avoid intentional confusion Use descriptiveness Be concrete Dating Indexing
Improving Your Language Skills Avoid intentional confusion Use descriptiveness Be concrete Differentiate between observations and inferences Demonstrate cultural competence
Improving ESL Speakers’ Language Skills Language should be functional Language varies Language learning is long-term Language processes independently Use your own language to help