1. Chapter 4: Verbal Messages

2. Language
A symbolic system used by people to communicate verbal or written messages

3. What is (are). . . . RG3? hashtags? Food Comas? Headcams? A Mooc?
Phablets
Bitcoins
Cake Pops
Monte Cristos
4G LTE?
Chatbots?
A Boo?
A Hat Tip?
Blondies?
Silly Money?
Eggy Bread?
Streaky Bacon?
Debt Trap?

4. Language Lexicon – collection of words and expressions
Phonology – sounds used to pronounce words

5. Language Community
Language community: group of people who share a common language
Languages are collections of dialects.
Dialect: form of the language spoken by a specific culture or co-culture, understood by the larger language community
Speech community: speak a common dialect, particular style, observe common linguistic norms or scripts
Privileged dialect marks one as part of the “in-group” of society.

6. Characteristics of Language
Arbitrary
No physical connection between the word and its meaning and must have a shared community to understand it’s use.
Ambiguous
Words can be open to multiple interpretations
I am hot!
Abstract
The word is not the thing it represents and is open to multiple interpretations even when in a shared community.
Self-reflective
We can use words to reflect about our past and discuss the future, speak hypothetically, and learn from other’s experiences.

7. Characteristics of Language
Language changes over time
New words come into and leave our popular lexicon
groovy, sexting, cyber-bullying, xeroxing
New inventions create new words
Googling, MP3, blueray disc
Meanings of words change over time as well
Language reveals our attitudes, judgments, or feelings
Thrifty or stingy? Loving or smothering? Curious or nosey?
Hierarchical
Language shows our biases, ordering reality
Saying someone is smarter implies others aren’t as smart.

8. Language and Meaning
Semantic meaning – the meaning derived from the language itself
Words – arbitrarily chosen symbols used by a speech community to name things

9. Levels of Meaning Connotation Denotation
the direct, explicit meaning of a word found in a dictionary
Connotation
the feelings or evaluations we personally associate with a word

10. Improving Message Semantics
Use specific language (language that is concrete and precise)
Date information.
Index generalizations.(qualify messages instead of offering overt generalizations)
Adapt language to listeners.
Demonstrate linguistic sensitivity.

11. Abstract to Concrete Art abstract Painting Oil Painting
Impressionist Oil Painting
Renoir’s La Promenade
abstract
concrete

12. Rephrase each statement so that it is less abstract and more concrete:
Edward always finds something critical to say.
Most people have lost any sense of personal responsibility.
Let’s keep our trip from getting too expensive.
Politicians are dishonest.

13. Dating Information
Specify a time that indicates when a given fact was true or known to be true:
Palm Springs is really popular with the college crowd.
When we were in Palm Springs two years ago, it was really popular with the college crowd.

14. Use Qualifying Language
Shows when a statement applies or does not apply:
Because men are stronger than
women, Max is stronger than Barbara.
In general, men are stronger than women, so Max is probably stronger than Barbara.

15. Adapt Language to Listener
Use vocabulary the listener understands.
Use jargon sparingly.
Use slang appropriately .

16. Linguistic Sensitivity
Monitor your language to avoid:
Language that offends or alienates
Pointing out a person’s race, sex, etc. (nonparallel language)
Prejudicial language
Use inclusive language.

17. All the people in the world
Avoid
“Generic” Man
Inclusive language
Police officer
Policeman
Man-made
Synthetic
All of mankind
All the people in the world
-Wood

18. Linguistic Sensitivity
Message Designs may Vary by the cognitive ability of the sender
Message Design Logics (not in text)
Expressive- Directly state feelings
Conventional- Understand Social Rules
Rhetorical- Understand individual differences and biases.

19. How would you change the following terms to avoid sexism?
Fireman
Waitress
Repairman
Stewardess
Mailman
Chairman
Cleaning lady
Congressman
Anchorman
Freshman
Man-made Hand made
Waitress Server
Repairman Technician
Mailman Mail Carrier
Chairman Chair or Chairperson
Cleaning Lady Cleaning Person
Congressman Congressperson or Legislator
Coed Female student
Freshman First year student

20. Conversations
Pragmatic meaning: meaning that arises from understanding the practical consequences of the utterance
Speech act: verbal message that implies how the listener should respond
Paul Grice: The Cooperative principle: conversational partners are able to understand meaning because they assume their partners are collaborating

21. Conversation Maxims
Quality maxim: Tell the truth, the whole truth, and only the truth.
Quantity maxim: Provide the “right” amount of information.
Relevancy maxim: Relate what you say to the topic being discussed.
Manner maxim: Be orderly in what you say.
* Acknowledge when you are violating a maxim.
* Rely on the cooperative principle when interpreting violations of a maxim.

22. Language and Culture
Sociolinguistic meaning: varies in meaning according to norms and expectations of a particular co-culture
Idioms: expressions used by members of a language or speech community whose meaning differs from the usual meanings in that combination of words:
“The gas I bought today cost an arm and a leg!”

23. Verbal Styles Direct Verbal Style Indirect Verbal Style
Openly states the speaker’s intention
Straightforward, unambiguous
Low-context cultures
Masks the speaker’s true intention
Roundabout, vague message
High-context cultures

24. Improving Sociolinguistic Understanding
Develop intercultural competence.
Practice mindfulness, the process of drawing novel distinctions.
Recognize, respect, and adapt to the sociolinguistic practices of others.