2. Chapter 3 Objectives Define and identify characteristics of language
Identify rules that govern language use
Explain how language and culture are intertwined
Describe unique language and its impact on communication
Demonstrate effective verbal communication skills

3. What is Language ?
A collection of symbols, letters, or words with arbitrary meanings that are governed by rules and used to communicate

4. What is Language? Language Has Rules Semantic rules Syntactic rules
Pragmatic rules

5. What is Language? Language and Culture are Intertwined
Transmission of culture occurs through language
Culture creates a lens through which we perceive the world and create shared meaning
We create language to describe our environment

6. What is Language? Language Organizes and Classifies Reality
Language is used to classify what we see and experience
Your identity is symbolically created through language

7. What is Language? Language is Arbitrary
Denotative and connotative meanings
Meanings are personal
Context affects meaning

8. What is Language?

9. What is Language? Language is Abstract
Words stand for ideas and things but they are not the same as those ideas and things
“The word is not the thing.”

10. What is Language?

11. Unique & Unusual Language
Grammatical errors
Colloquialisms
Clichés
Euphemisms & doublespeak
Slang
Profanity
Jargon
Regionalisms
Sexist, racist, and heterosexist language

12. Improving Your Language Skills
Avoid intentional confusion
Use descriptiveness
Check your perceptions
Paraphrase
Use operational definitions
Define your terms

13. Improving Your Language Skills
Avoid intentional confusion
Use descriptiveness
Be concrete
Dating
Indexing

14. Improving Your Language Skills
Avoid intentional confusion
Use descriptiveness
Be concrete
Differentiate between observations and inferences
Demonstrate cultural competence

15. Improving ESL Speakers’ Language Skills
Language should be functional
Language varies
Language learning is long-term
Language processes independently
Use your own language to help