Verbal Communication

The more communicators have in common in terms of background, experience, and attitudes, the more likely they are to hold what?

similar meanings for the words they exchange.

Incendiary

(Of a device or attack) Designed to cause fires.

What is doublespeak?

Deliberate misuse of language in order to distort eaning. It is not a slip of the tongue or language used improperly because of ignorance. It is a tool that the powerful use to achieve their ends without clearly communicating with those who may be affected by their actions or who may foot the bill for them. It is particularly harmful when it makes something inappropriate or negative appear to be appropriate or positive.

How does culture affect language use?

Each language has its own grammatical rules.

What are concrete words?

Symbols for specific things that can be pointed to or physically experienced (seen, tasted, smelled, heard, or touched). They represent specific, tangible objects, and therefore their meanings are usually quite clear. Consequently, communication based on concrete words leaves little room for misunderstanding, and any disagreement can typically be resolved by referring to the objects themselves.

What are words?

Symbols that stand for objects and concepts.

What is denotation?

The common meaning associated with a word--its standard dictionary definition.

Competent communicators should continuously refine messages based on what?

The feedback they receive.

What can expanding your vocabulary do?

The more likely that you'll find the one word you need to make your meaning clear.

What is indiscrimination?

The neglect of individual differences and the over-emphasis of similarities. It is a form of perceptual set in which a person chooses to ignore differences and changes in events, things, and people. Language plays a significant role in our tendency to see similarities between things, even when they don't exist.

What is the pendulum effect?

The point at which two parties simply cannot communicate caused by the escalating conflict of polarization. The pendulum represents a person's perception of reality, which includes feelings, attitudes, opinions, and value judgments about the world. When the pendulum hangs in the center, a person's perception is considered realistic, virtuous, intelligent, sane, honest, and honorable. Of course, most of us believe that our pendulums are at or near the center most of the time. When two individuals disagree in their perceptions of reality, their pendulums begin to move in opposite directions. The distance the pendulum swings represents their difference in opinion or conviction. As the conversation intensifies, each remark provokes a stronger reaction from the party to whom it is directed until both parties are driven to positions at opposite extremes. If the disagreement continues, both will become more entrenched in their positions.

What is semantics?

The study of meaning, or the association of words with ideas, feelings, and contexts.

What is connotation?

The subjective meaning of a word, what a word suggests because of feelings or associations it evokes. *****cnnotative meaning is based on the context in which the word is used, how the meaning is expressed nonverbally (tone of voice, facial expression of the speaker, and so on), and the understandings of the person who is receiving it.

What is polarization?

The tendency to view things in terms of extremes--rich or poor, beautiful or ugly, large or small, high or low, good or bad, intelligent or stupid--even though most things exist somewhere in between. This either-or, black-or-white way of thinking is aggravated by aspects of language.

Words acquire meaning how?

Through the context in which they are used and by the fact that those who use them give them meaning.

Candid

Truthful or straightforward; frank

What are abstract words?

Words that are symbols for ideas, qualities, and relationships. Abstract words represent intangible things that cannot be experienced through the senses; thus, *****their meanings depend on the experiences and intentions of the persons using them. For instance, words such as beauty, liberty, joy, and stubborn stand for ideas or symbols that signify different things to different people.

What is slang?

Words used to communicate only with those who know the words.

The competent communicator can differentiate between the ____________ and_________________ meanings and understands which is being used in a given situation.

denotative/connotative

Words have _____________ and _________________ meanings.

denotative/connotative

When you have no ______________for certain words, you're lost in a conversation when they are used and not ______________.

frame of reference/explained

What is verbal immediacy?

identifies and projects the speakers feelings and makes the message more relevant to the listener. Verbal immediacy draws listeners in and involves them in the subject at hand.

Even if we create what we think is the perfect message, the possibility always exists that the receiver will _____________________ the message or find it _____________. Why is this?

misinterpret/ambiguous/Because it will never be concrete or objective and thus always carries the potential for misunderstanding.

Although commonly understood dictionary definitions (denotative meanings) do exist, when we communicate we usually use words _______________.

connotatively

Do words contain meaning?

No. We tend to associate language symbols (words) with specific meanings and to take that relationship for granted. But it is important to understand that, in fact, language by itself has no meaning. People give words meaning.

What is grammar?

Rules that govern how words may be joined into phrases and sentences.

How can you reduce bypassing?

1. Be person-minded, not word-minded: Think about words and their meanings but also consider the persons using the words and the meanings they might give them. Constantly question your interpretation and ask if it is the same as was intended by the sender. 2. Query and paraphrase: Ask questions and paraphrase your message or the meaning you've derived from others' messages, whenever there is potential for misunderstanding. If you are uncertain, ask others to explain. Restating a message in your own words gives you and the sender a chance to check that you received a message similar to what was sent. 3. Be approachable: Encourage open and free communication. The most frequent barrier to effective communication is an unwillingness to listen to others. Being receptive is not always easy, but the effort will ensure a clear exchange of information. 4. Be sensitive to contexts: Consider the verbal and situational contexts in which communication occurs. The meaning of a word can be more precisely interpreted by considering the words, sentences, and paragraphs that precede and follow it and the setting in which communication takes place.

What are some language-based barriers to communication?

1. Meanings can be misunderstood 2. Language can shape our attitudes 3. Language can cause polarization 4. Language can be sexist or homophobic 5. Culture affects language use

What are the four key elements of language?

1. Sounds 2. Words 3. Grammar 4. Meaning

Name some methods on how to use language effectively.

1. Use accurate language 2. Use vivid language 3. Use immediate language 4. Use appropriate language 5. Use metaphorical language

What is a stereotype?

A categorizing of events, objects, and people without regard to unique individual characteristics and qualities.

What is a low-context culture?

A culture in which the meaning of the communication act is inferred from the messages being sent and not the location where the communication occurs. The United States is a low-context culture.

What is a high-context culture?

A culture in which the meaning of the communication act is inferred from the situation or location. In Japan, for example, businesspeople do not conduct business in a social setting, although they might refer to their business interests. If one visits Japan on business and is invited out to dinner, there is no hidden agenda--the objective for the evening is to eat a meal together. Also, in a high-context culture, language is indirect, nonspecific, and not assertive.

What is a metaphor?

A figure of speech that associates two things or ideas, not commonly linked, as a means of description.

What is bypassing?

A misunderstanding that occurs where there is a difference between what the speaker means and what is heard and understood by the listener.

What is language?

A structured system of signs, sounds, gestures, or marks that is used and understood to express ideas and feelings among people within a community, nation, geographic area, or cultural tradition.

What is dating?

A technique used to reduce indiscrimination and is a form of indexing that sorts people, ideas, events, and objects according to time. *****By telling when something occurred, we acknowledge that things change over time and add specificity to a statement.

What is style-switch?

A term that identifies when people from co-cultures or other out-groups speak the language of their own culture or group but switch to that of the dominant culture when needed and appropriate in order to successfully operate.

What is muted group theory?

A theory that suggests that status and power are closely linked. It suggests that underrepresented groups (women, seniors, gays, blacks, Hispanics, etc.) are not as free or as able as men to say what they mean, when and where they wish.

Jest

A thing said or done for amusement; a joke

What is indexing?

A way to point up differences that distinguish various members of a group and thus reduce indiscrimination. Indexing identifies the specific person, idea, event, or object to which the statement refers.

What are idioms?

An expression consisting of words whose meanings cannot be understood according to ordinary usage. Thr example: "That happens once in a blue moon."

What is a euphemism?

An inoffensive or mild expression given in place of one that may offend, cause embarrassment, or suggest something unpleasant. Euphemisms can defuse the emotional charge associated with controversial or difficult concepts. For example, when somebody dies we say they "passed away." Euphemisms can also enhance something, to make it seem more glamorous that it actually is, such as a "sanitation engineer" as opposed to a "garbage man".

Abide

Accept or act in accordance with.

What is vivid language?

Active, direct, and fresh language that brings a sense of excitement, urgency, and forcefulness to a message.

Why do words have meanings?

Because communities and cultures give them meaning.

Why is language subjective?

Because it communicates much about what we are and what we think.

Why is stereotyping easy?

Because it is does not require analysis, investigation, or thought.

Why don't stereotypes occur in a social vacuum?

Because they often exert powerful influence on the lives of those who are stereotyped. They affect both men and women and affect how both are treated in society and how they think of themselves.

How do you expand your vocabulary?

By listening to others and by reading. Whenever you come across a word you don't understand, determine the context in which it is used and consult a dictionary to find its meaning. Once you have learned a new word, try to put it use. Unused words are typically forgotten. As you develop your vocabulary though, avoid the temptation to use long or little-known words when short or common words serve the purpose.

How can speakers avoid the dangers of polarization?

By recognizing the potential for misunderstandings and by avoiding statements that are overgeneralized (generalized extremes).

What is sexist language?

Sexual stereotypes and the assumption that one gender is superior.

What can choosing the wrong word do?

It can distort your intended message, misguide your receiver, and undermine your credibility. When you speak, your goal should be precision. Don't leave room for misinterpretation.

What is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

It is what intercultural communication scholars use to help explain the connection of culture and language. The hypothesis suggests that language helps us think and that culture and language are bound together. The hypothesis explains how thought influences our reality and how our thought process is influenced by our language. In other words, language influences thought, and thought influences language, and each is influenced by culture. According to Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, language is more than simply attaching labels to the world around us. Language shapes our reality. We "know" the world only in terms of the language we have at our command, and that language determines our cultural reality. If we don't have the words to explain something, we don't really know it, and it doesn't exist. When we can use words to explain the concept, event, or idea, it takes on meaning that can be shared.

What does vivid language do?

It tells your audience that they had better listen because what you have to say is important. Vivid language makes things seem more animated and interesting. Social psychologists say that vivid language affects us in several ways. It is more persuasive than flat, pallid presentation of information, because it is more memorable and has an emotional impact. They are also more likely to create readily retained and recalled mental images. Finally, people tend to listen more attentively to vivid messages than to uninspiring or uninteresting messages.

What is gender-inclusive language?

Language that does not discriminate against males or females.

What is jargon?

Language that might be too specialized to be understood by the general public.

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis involves what two theories?

Linguistic determinisim: The theory that language determines thought. Linguistic relativity: The theory that people from different language communities perceive the world differently.

Can we assume that using words we consider appropriate and adequate to convey a particular message will succeed with every listener? Why?

No, because different people associate different meanings with even the simplest words. ****Because words are symbols only--people fill in the meaning.

A word can represent an object or an ___________ concept.

abstract

In our society, sexist language involves an ___________ as much as the use of specific words.

attitude

Without language, little or no human _______________ as we now know it would exist.

communication

The belief that words hold meaning in themselves is ______________

widespread.