Communication Mosaics 6 th Ed. Chapter Four Engaging in Verbal Communication

Communication Mosaics 6 th Ed. Chapter Four Focus Questions How are language and thought related? What abilities are possible because humans use symbols?

Communication Mosaics 6 th Ed. Chapter Four Focus Questions What are the practical implications of recognizing that language is a process? How do rules guide verbal communication?

Communication Mosaics 6 th Ed. Chapter Four A New Twist on an Old Saying “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can really hurt me.”

Communication Mosaics 6 th Ed. Chapter Four Our Most Powerful Tool Language allows us to – Plan – Dream – Remember – Evaluate – Reflect on ourselves and the world around us – Define who we are and want to be – Create reality

Communication Mosaics 6 th Ed. Chapter Four Language & Meaning Language consists of symbols – People – Events – All that goes around us Not all symbols are linguistic – Nonverbal communication

Communication Mosaics 6 th Ed. Chapter Four Features of Language Arbitrariness Ambiguity Abstraction

Communication Mosaics 6 th Ed. Chapter Four Principles of Communication Interpretation creates meaning – brute facts: objective, concrete phenomena and activities – institutional facts: the meanings of brute facts based on human interpretation Communication is guided by rules – Regulative rules regulate interaction by specifying when, how, where, and with whom to communicate about certain things. – Constitutive rules define what a particular communication means or stands for. Punctuation affects meaning

Communication Mosaics 6 th Ed. Chapter Four Symbolic Activities Language defines phenomena – The way we name, or label, define phenomena and shape what they mean to us. Language evaluates phenomena – Language is not neutral; it is laden with values. – Loaded language consists of words that strongly slant perceptions.

Communication Mosaics 6 th Ed. Chapter Four Symbolic Activities Language organizes experiences Language allows hypothetical thought – experiences and ideas that are not part of your concrete, daily reality

Communication Mosaics 6 th Ed. Chapter Four Symbolic Activities Language allows self-reflection Language defines relationships and interaction – Responsiveness, liking, & power

Communication Mosaics 6 th Ed. Chapter Four Guidelines for Effective Verbal Communication Engage in Person-Centered Communication Be Aware of Levels of Abstraction Qualify Language

Communication Mosaics 6 th Ed. Chapter Four Own Your Feelings & Thoughts Avoid You-Language Use I-Language – Own responsibility – More descriptive

Communication Mosaics 6 th Ed. Chapter Four Summary New twist on an old saying Nature & power of verbal communication Language Symbolic activities I-language vs. You-language

Communication Mosaics 6 th Ed. Chapter Four

Communication Mosaics 6 th Ed. Chapter Four