1. Chapter 4 Verbal Communication
Embracing Difference Fourth Edition
Dunn and Goodnight
Chapter 4
Verbal Communication
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2. Nature of Language and Meaning
Language is symbolic
Words are symbols that represent our thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a specific context or relationship.
Language represents both concrete things (book pencil, apple) and abstract (love, democracy, freedom).
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3. Nature of Language and Meaning
Language is an arbitrary system of symbols.
The meaning can change depending on the speaker, audience, and context.
New words created everyday, such as:
Fist bump, bromance, tweet
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4. Nature of Language and Meaning
Language is rule governed
We learn the “rules” by watching and listening to our parents and caregivers.
Regulative rules tell us how to use language in particular contexts.
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5. Nature of Language and Meaning
Language communicates power
Confident, assertive communication creates powerful language. A person using this language will be perceived as credible and capable.
Powerless language conveys uncertainty and tentativeness.
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6. The Meaning of Words... Ogden and Richards Model
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7. The Meaning of Words... Denotative Connotative
The dictionary meaning of a word
Connotative
Determined by someone’s experiences, values, and culture (frame of reference)
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8. Factors That Influence Our Language...
Culture
The customary beliefs and attitudes of a racial, religious, or social group
These customs shape the language used in the group
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9. Factors That Influence Our Language...
Ethnic groups
Racial groups
Social groups
Subcultures create identity through language.
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10. Factors That Influence Our Language...
Geographic location
Often accounts for language differences
For example, a carbonated beverage is called “soda” along the East Coast. People in the Midwest call it “pop.”
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11. Factors That Influence Our Language...
Perceptions
A result of our experiences, social groups, cultural backgrounds, and geographic location.
These factors shape and provide us with language to express what we see as reality.
Our frame of reference.
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12. Problems With Language
Vague Language
Lacks directness and is void of details
Creates confusion and leaves the other person wondering what you mean
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13. Problems With Language
Abstraction
Using broad terms to explain ideas or concepts
Often the receiver or audience does not understand the terms being used
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14. Problems With Language
Multiple Meanings
Some words have different meanings to different people, making it difficult to discern the meaning
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15. Problems With Language
Jargon/Technical Language
Specialized terms associated with a particular discipline, skill, or career
Leaves the receiver confused and frustrated
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16. Problems With Language
Slang
Language that is used by a co-culture
Can be geographical or generational
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17. Problems With Language...
Doublespeak
William Lutz defined doublespeak as “the language that avoids responsibility, that makes the bad seem good, the negative appear positive, something unpleasant appear attractive, language that only appears to communicate” (1999).
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18. Problems With Language... Doublespeak
Examples of Doublespeak...
“awarded a non-passing grade” = failed an assignment
“negative employment growth” = unemployment
“chronologically experienced citizen” = an older person
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19. Problems With Language
Euphemisms
Words that substitute for other words because they are more pleasant.
Although they can be used to spare someone’s feelings, they can be confusing and misleading.
Larger clothing sizes are “plus size”
When someone dies, they “pass away”
Nuclear waste referred to as “spent fuel”
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20. Problems With Language
Racist, Sexist, Generic Language, and Insensitive Language
Be aware of all language that may offend others, not just race and sex, but things like age and sexual orientation
Avoid using “he” or “man” to refer to all people
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21. Improving Verbal Skills
Being Descriptive
Use specific words that describe behavior or phenomena
Don’t offer an explanation or interpretation of the behavior, just state the facts
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22. Improving Verbal Skills
Dating
Use a specific time reference to clarify a message
By interjecting a specific date, we make a statement based on fact
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23. Improving Verbal Skills
Indexing
A technique that takes into account the individual differences among people, objects, and places
Helps accurately reflect our perceptions
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24. Improving Verbal Skills
Avoiding vulgar language and profanity
Can cause damage by alienating our audience
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25. Improving Verbal Skills
Eliminating generic language
Instead of using “he” when referring to all people, use the word “people”
Avoid using the word “man” when you want to talk about men and women; instead use the word “they”
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