Chapter 3: Language
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Transcript of Chapter 3: Language
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