Chapter 3: Language

Language is…

• A collection of symbols governed by rules and used to convey messages (meaning) between individuals

• Made of Symbols– Alphabet, numbers, gestures, verbal sounds

• Is Rule Governed– Semantic, syntactic, pragmatic, phonological

• Meaning between individuals– Is a process

Richard and Ogden’s

Triangle of Meaning

• Meaning– in people not words– Change with time, place, and experience– Denotative- dictionary meaning– Connotative- subjective/personal meanings

Language Shapes Perceptions Power, Status, and Credibility,

• Grammar, Accent

• Labels – Person’s Name – Title

Language Reflects Attitudes

• Affiliation – Jargon and Slang

• Attraction and interest – Joe and Jane or Jane and Joe

• Responsibility– I versus You messages– You make me mad…I feel angry when…

Racism, Sexism, Bigotry• A man is commanding • A woman is demanding• • A man is forceful • A woman is pushy• • A man strategizes• A woman manipulates• • A man is assertive • A woman is aggressive

• A man shows leadership • A woman is controlling

• A person is homosexual • A person is gay.• A person is _______(slur).

• A person is white.• A person is Caucasian.• A person is a _____(slur).•

• A person is black.• A person is African-

American.• A person is _____(slur).

• You people

Language Shapes and Reflects Culture

• Linguistic determinism: – Whorf-Sapir Hypothesis– – Reflects

• Impact of the world on a culture• Eskimos/Snow

– Shapes• Understanding of what is important to the culture• Time, Family Relationships

Troublesome Language

Equivocal Language has with more than one meaning

Sometimes unintentional

example:• A nurse tells a hospital patient he would no longer be needing their help. He

thought he had a terminal diagnosis and was going to die. She had the good news of telling him it wasn't serious. He was going home.

Sometimes used to avoid making an explicit statement; avoid lying

example:• Your best friend gets a haircut, which you hate.

• You respond: • “What an interesting contemporary style”• A shag, how retro!

Relative WordsWords which gain meaning by comparison

• How many are: – A few____– Several___– Many____– A lot_____

– If a store is “not far away,” how long does it take to get there?

– Your friend needs to buy a “cheap car” so how much can he spend?

Abstract LanguageWords which vary in specificity

• Level Four: Abstractions

– Examples: life, beauty, love, success, power, evil, good.

• Level Three: Noun classes: broad group names with little specification.

– Examples: People, men, women, industry, jewelry, television, plants

• Level Two: Noun categories: more definite groups.

– Examples: teen-agers, senior citizens, clothing industry, necklace, TV drama, house plants.

• Level One: Specific, identifiable nouns.

– Examples: Tina, Bob, Sixes Jeans, Adina, Grey’s Anatomy, African violets,

Slang Words used by members in a similar group or co-culture

• define "insiders" and "outsiders" – The implication is that if you don't understand them, you're an

outsider.– To qualify as street slang, you have to annoy someone.

• examples:– bling-bling, bounce, sick, trip, wack, dawg–

• Regionalisms– are geographical slang terms.– South: Ya’ll, buggy, – milk shakes: Massachusetts =frappes; Rhode Island = cabinets – carbonated drinks: Boston = tonic; NY = soda; GA = coke

Slang

• Influenced by Age – Badunkadunk– Shawty– (Generation Appropriate Rules?)

• Influenced by technology– Hit me on the hip

• Newly created and based on old slang– Milton

• Different from Jargon– Ya coded ( as heard on Grey’s Anatomy)

Jargonshorthand used by people with common interests or jobs

• Professionals:– legalese. NASDAQ, AWOL

• computer-mediated acronyms, – i.e. lol, brb, btw, BFF

• Retail – cut, etc.

• Used to spare one’s feelings

• Used to be politically correct– Reflects concerns of a particular group of

people– Used to Manipulate feelings, level of

responsibility; status

Euphemismssubstituting a pleasant word for a less pleasant one

Language is influenced by Gender

MEN

• Talk About:– Music, Current Events, Sports, Business

• Gossip about – sports figures and media personalities

• Conversation– is a game; make it fun

• Words: – use swear words, interrupt more

• Goal: – Use language as a way to assert control– Reach goals, solve problems, offer advice

WOMEN• Talk About:

– Relationship problems, Family, Health, Reproductive matters, Weight, food, Clothing

• Gossip About:– Close friends and family

• Conversation– is about feelings, relationships

• Words: – justifiers, intensive adverbs, talk less in mixed sex

dyads• Goal:

– Use conversation to meet need for empathy– Use Language to maintain Harmony