1. Chapter 3 Verbal Communication

2. Definition of Language  “Language is a collection of symbols, letters, or words with arbitrary meanings that are governed by rules and used to communicate” (p. 60).

3. English/Japanese = Tree =

4. Language & Ambiguity James is independently wealthy. How much money does he have? Mary is quite old. How old is she? Mary is quite old. How old is she? Carol watches a lot of TV. How many hours a day does she watch? The XJI-57 is an expensive car. How much does it cost? Today is a very warm day. What is the temperature? That sure is a tall building. How many stories does it have?

5. Rules of Language Semantics – the study of the way humans use language to evoke meaning. Semantics – the study of the way humans use language to evoke meaning. Changes/Development over time Changes/Development over time “Gay” (1920s) vs “Gay” (today) “Gay” (1920s) vs “Gay” (today) Pragmatics – the use of language in social settings. (ex. scripts) Pragmatics – the use of language in social settings. (ex. scripts) Phatic communication – Communication used to establish pleasant moods. Phatic communication – Communication used to establish pleasant moods.

6. Meanings of Language Denotative – Dictionary meaning(s). Denotative – Dictionary meaning(s). Something agreed upon. Something agreed upon. Connotative – Personal meaning(s) of words. Connotative – Personal meaning(s) of words. Emotional connections, memories, etc. Emotional connections, memories, etc.

7. Meanings of Language Concrete – Words that refer to definite persons, places, objects, and acts. Concrete – Words that refer to definite persons, places, objects, and acts. Tiger Woods Recent professional male golfer Professional Male golfer Professional Golfer Professional Athlete Abstract – Words or phrases that refer generally to ideas, qualities, acts, or relationships. Abstract – Words or phrases that refer generally to ideas, qualities, acts, or relationships.

9. Semantic Triangle My thought DOG DOG “idea of dog” ?????

10. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis “Our perception of reality is determined by our thought processes, AND our thought processes are limited by our language and, THEREFORE, language shapes reality” (p. 66). “Our perception of reality is determined by our thought processes, AND our thought processes are limited by our language and, THEREFORE, language shapes reality” (p. 66). MY THOUGHTS 1) Language and thought are one. 2) Our perception of the world is shaped by the way in which we use language. 3) We can not describe anything outside of the words we have. 4) We can feel, but how we communicate those feelings are limited by language.

11. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

12. Inuit Inuit Friend from India Friend from India

13. The Matrix

14. Language’s Impact Sexist – language that excludes individuals on the basis of sex or gender. Sexist – language that excludes individuals on the basis of sex or gender. Racist – language that insults a group because of ethnicity. Racist – language that insults a group because of ethnicity.

15. Questions?