1. Communication - Verbal
Communication is the sharing of meaning.
Words are symbols
They represent things but are not the actual things
When you say, hear, or see the WORD elephant, you are not seeing or hearing the elephant but a symbol that stands for elephant.
Communication - Verbal
Here is an example of what you might paraphrase from the notes to the left:
Words = symbols ≠ actual things

2. Communication - Verbal
The MEANINGS of words are NOT always found in a dictionary!
Because people experience words in their own way, each person may have totally different emotional responses to the words.
The definition found in a dictionary is called the denotative meaning.
The definition found within an individual (emotional or personal response to a word) is called the connotative meaning.
Communication - Verbal
Here is an example of what you might paraphrase from the notes to the left:
MEANINGS NOT always in dictionary
each person = different emotional responses to words.
denotative meaning = dictionary definition .
connotative meaning = definition within individual (emotional/personal response)

3. Communication - Verbal
Denotative meaning is the literal meaning.
Connotative meaning is an individual’s feeling of the meaning.
Examples: The words home, house, residence and dwelling all have the same denotation, but the connotation of each word is very different.
Denotation:  Where a person lives at any given time.
Connotation: Home: cozy, loving, comfortable House: the actual building or structure Residence: cold, no feeling Dwelling: primitive or basic surroundings
Communication - Verbal
Here is an example of what you might paraphrase from the notes to the left:
Denotative = literal
Connotative = feelings

4. Communication - Verbal
More examples of connotative & denotative meanings:
Examples: slim, scrawny, and svelte
Denotation:  thin
Connotation: What do you “picture” as differences between these three words that have the same denotative meaning?
What is your connotation of the following words that refer to a young person?
youngster, child, kid, little one, small fry, brat, urchin, juvenile, minor
Communication - Verbal

5. Communication - Verbal
ALL WORDS HAVE DENOTATIVE MEANINGS AND MAY HAVE DIFFERENT CONNOTATIVE MEANINGS FOR EACH PERSON.
QUICK DRAW THE WORDS:
VACATION
DESSERT
DOG
TREE
Meaning is found in people!
Communication - Verbal
Here is an example of what you might paraphrase from the notes to the left:
Words have denotative AND connotative meanings

6. Communication - Verbal
Why does language change?
The world is constantly changing.
New words are needed to describe new things and ideas.
Words change as they are used in different ways by different people and societies or cultures.
1950: Gay = happy
1985: Gay = happy
Gay = homosexual
2010: Gay = homosexual
Gay = weird
What other words can you think of that have changed?
Communication - Verbal

7. Communication - Verbal
Specialized language types:
 Technical
Relates to a particular subject and is marked by specialization
Educational (ex: ESL)
Technology (software, Internet)
Electrical
Hobbies (cooking, athletics, stamp collecting)
Others?
Communication - Verbal

8. Communication - Verbal
Specialized language types:
 Regional
Speech that is particular to a geographical area
bubbler, water fountain
danish, roll
creek, stream
pop, soda
Communication - Verbal

9. Communication - Verbal
Specialized language types:
 Slang
Informal, nonstandard vocabulary, unique to a particular group.
the bomb
Airhead
Blown away
Catchin’ some Z’s
Others?
Communication - Verbal

10. Communication - Verbal
Specialized language types:
Cultural
Terms related to the particular background of a group of people
Taro
Catchment barrel
Quinceanera
Others?
Communication - Verbal

11. Communication - Verbal
Words can “include” or “exclude.”
“Hey, come on over with us!”
“No, we already have our group.”
 Words can “build up” and “put down.”
“That was great!”
“Dude, you really screwed up!”
 Words “reveal” and “conceal.”
“That really makes me feel like…”
“Never mind; it’s not important.”
Communication - Verbal

12. Communication - Verbal
REVIEW – What did you learn today about communication?
Symbols
Meanings
Change
Specialized language
Include/exclude
build up/put down
Reveal/conceal
Communication - Verbal