The Message Chapter 5

Semiotic Tradition Modern founder of structure linguistics Semiotics of language Ferdinand de Saussure Modern founder of structure linguistics Language is arbitrary Structure approach of Language Forms Consist of speech, sounds, words, and grammar Language use is NOT arbitrary Language needs meaning to represent something

Understanding the Structure Saussure Key is difference in three areas Sound Letters sound different: p versus b Word form differs Pat versus Bat Grammatical forms Verb tenses change meaning “has run” versus “will run”

Language vs. Speech Formal system of language used in communication Language (langue) Formal system of language used in communication Can be analyzed apart from its use (grammatical etc) Constant Speech (parole) The use of language to deliver a thought or accomplish a purpose Flexible and changing Linquistics = study of Language not speech

Beyond Semiotics Generative grammar Linguistics not enough to understand human use of language Two primary focus: Generative grammar Cognitive study of how rules impact spoken language Chomsky Discourse Use of language in communication Evaluates conversations, media productions, and speeches

Nonverbal Communication Watch video and describe emotions in each scene http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfDWQG47pAQ

Theories of Nonverbal Coding Includes three dimensions: Semantic Meaning of signs Syntactic How signs are organized into system with other sign Pragmatic Effects or behavior created by signs

Eight aspects of Nonverbal Communication Kinesics Clothing and artifacts Voice: Paralanguage Pitch, volume, rate, nonfluencies, silence Proxemics

Eight Aspects of Nonverbal Communication Colors Chronemics Touch: Haptics Olfactics: Smell

Tell me her story

Kinesics Seven assumptions used for his theory of body language Ray Birdwhistell, Kinesics and Context, page 127 Seven assumptions used for his theory of body language Cultural Gaffes

Proxemics Fixed-featured space Unmovable things Semi-fixed feature Edward Hall Three types of space Fixed-featured space Unmovable things Semi-fixed feature Movable objects Informal Space Personal territory between people Intimate, Personal, Social & public

Proxemics and Culture http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gscRJhDNVmI

Theoretical Approaches to Understanding the Message Speech Act Theory Action Assembly Theory Message Design Models

Speech Act Theory “ I will pay you back” Accomplishes the following: Utterance Act Propositional Act Illocutionary Act Perlocutionary Act

Two types of rules with Illocution force Constitutive rules Used to tell how to interpret statement Creates framework for understanding Regulatory Rules Tell how to use speech to accomplish a goal

Action-Assembly Theory John Greene Evaluates how we organize knowledge to form messages Uses two types of knowledge Content Knowledge Knowledge about things, or events in speech Procedural Knowledge Knowledge about how to do things Takes center stage in theory Process of associating common actions becomes procedural record

John, How are you? Fine, Mary, how are you?

Message Design Models Charles Berger Planning Theory Charles Berger Explain the processes people use to plan communication behavior Communication Plans Mental images of steps used to accomplish a goal