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LANGUAGE
CHAPTER 3 REVIEW
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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Language has several important characteristics:
It is symbolic. (Words)
Why is human communication symbolic?
Words are arbitrary and open to interpretation
Meanings reside in the minds of people, not in words themselves.
Understanding those rules helps us understand one another.
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Language can express ideas and be very powerful.
It can shape our attitudes toward things and each other.
It can reflect the way we feel about things and people.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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Some kinds of language can create problems by unnecessarily…
disrupting relationships
confusing others
avoiding important information
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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Types of language rules:
PHONOLOGICAL rules: How words sound (lead vs. lead, a dump had to refuse refuse).
SYNTACTIC rules: The structure of language.
That each word contain a vowel.
SEMANTIC rules: The meaning of words.
PRAGMATIC rules: How people use words in everyday language. “Shut-up”
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Gender plays an important role in the way language operates.
Content of male/female speech varies.
Men/women often have different reasons for communicating.
Male/female conversational style varies.
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Cultural factors can shape the way we see and understand language.
Different cultures have different notions of what language styles are and aren’t appropriate.
Language we speak can shape view of the world.
Words: Fresca---in Spanish slang in Mexico means Lesbian
Pet condensed milk. In French means “to break wind”
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High context cultures
Value language as a way to maintain social harmony.
Relational harmony is valued.
Communicators refrain from saying “no” directly.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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Low context cultures (North American)
Use language to express thoughts, feelings, and ideas as clearly and logically as possible.
Communicators state opinions and desires directly.
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Other factors that influence the way people speak…examples?
The setting
Expertise of the speakers
Social roles (boss/employee)
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Language can be a way of building and demonstrating solidarity with others
When someone wants the approval of another person they may adapt their speech to suit the others’ style
Trying to say the right thing
Trying to fit in.
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What is equivocal language?
Words with more than one correct definition.
Possible outcomes?
Equivocal misunderstandings can have serious consequences.
Nurse: “Won't be needing the materials.”
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What are relative words?
Large/small
Fast/slow
Short/long
Compared to what?
Mistake: To assume they have a clear meaning.
Using relative words without explaining them can lead to communication problems.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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Facts and Opinions
Fact? Opinion?
Examples?
Label opinions as opinions
Label facts as facts
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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What is “emotive” language?
Words that sound as if they’re describing something when they are really announcing the speaker's attitude toward something.
Emotive words may sound like statements of fact but are always opinions.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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TEST
EXAMPLES
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A conclusion based on an interpretation of
evidence is called a(an):
Opinion
Inference
Connotation
C INFERENCE
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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Which of the following is valued most highly in
communication by women in all female talk?
Humor
New ways to solve problems
Empathy
Rapid pace
C EMPATHY
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Which of the following statements would
researchers classify as being the most
powerfully expressed?
“I guess I have a question”
“Excuse me, but I have a question”
“I think I have a question”
“I have a question”
D “I have a question”
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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A language is a collection of symbols.
True
False
Symbols make up language
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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In order to speak a language fluently, a speaker
should be able to describe the rules that govern
that language?
True
False
FALSE
Child.
Most people cannot articulate the rules of language.
Most rules are learned unconsciously.
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What is a euphemism?
A pleasant term substituted for a more direct term.
Examples:
“Bumpy air” instead of “turbulence”
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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Inferences refer to things or acts we can observe directly.
a. True
b. False
False
This is a description of factual statements.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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Which of the following types of words gain their meanings by comparison?
a. relative
b. abstract
c. equivocal
d. emotive
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A behavioral description describes behavior that is:
a. observable
b. abstract
c. negative
d. positive
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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The basic goals of almost all ordinary conversations vary strikingly, based on the sex of the communicators.
a. True
b. False
False
Both men and women share the same conversational goals, but they often go about achieving these goals in very different ways.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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Roger has reported to your study group that he plans to improve his study habits this semester. In fact, he said, "I will study two hours outside of class for each hour in class." His statement is an example of:
a. abstract description
b. emotive description
c. syntactic description
d. behavioral description
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Language use can reflect the speaker's willingness to take responsibility for his/her statements. Which of the following categories of statements reflects the highest amount of speaker responsibility?
a. I statements
b. they statements
c. you statements
d. it statements
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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Euphemisms are deliberately vague and can be interpreted in more than one way.
a. True
b. False
False
That describes an equivocation.
Euphemism is a pleasant term substituted for a more direct but potentially less pleasant one.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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You are at the pizza restaurant ordering pizza with several friends. Suzanne says, "Don't order one with anchovies. Just hearing the word 'anchovies' about makes me sick!" Suzanne is responding to:
a. equivocal meaning
b. relative meaning
c. emotive meaning
d. fictional meaning
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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Human communication is symbolic. Why?
a. A particular word means the same thing to any two people.
b. Words are arbitrary and open to individual interpretation.
c. There are logical reasons why certain words stand for certain ideas.
d. We are emotionally connected to others.
b. Words are arbitrary and open to individual interpretation.
Understanding Human Communication, Ninth Edition
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