English essay questions
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Chapter4.pptxChapter 4: The World of Words
The Symbolic Nature of Language
Symbols Are:
Arbitrary
Ambiguous
Abstract
The Symbolic Nature of Language
Arbitrary - Words are not fundamentally connected to what they represent.
Words seem appropriate because society agrees the definition
Meanings can change over time; language can change as new words are invented.
Ex: “Sick” – meaning has changed over time, means different things to different people
Ex: “Google” as an official word
The Symbolic Nature of Language
Ambiguous - They don’t have clear cut meanings,
There’s an agreed-upon definition, because words don’t mean the same to everyone.
Ex: “Affordable” or “Fun” - means different things to different people
The Symbolic Nature of Language
Abstract - They’re not concrete, nor tangible.
They stand for ideas/feelings/objects/people/events, but they are not always what they represent specifically.
As words get more abstract, they get more vague.
Examples: “Love” “Motivation” “Work-ethic”
You can’t see them or touch them-hard to define
Principles of Verbal Communication
2. Principles of Verbal Communication
Language and culture reflect each other
Distinct values are expressed in adages from other cultures.
Ex: Which holidays are on your calendar vs. one from eastern hemisphere?
Can lead to difficulties in work place
Ex: common sayings/adages
Social/cultural movements use language as primary tool
Ex: disabled person vs. person with disability
What is meant by
the American saying, “Every man for himself ”? Does it reflect the idea that men,
and not women, are the standard? Does it reflect individualism as a value? What
is meant by “The early bird gets the worm”? Does it mean that initiative brings
success?
2. Principles of Verbal Communication
The meanings of language are subjective
Because words are abstract and ambiguous, their meanings aren’t absolute.
We rely on words to think about what words and other things means.
We continuously construct meanings (word making, word association).
2. Principles of Verbal Communication
Language use is rule-guided
Communication rules: understandings of what communication means and what kinds of communication are appropriate in particular situations. Ex: quiet in a library
Regulative rules: specify when, where and with whom to talk to about certain things. Ex: family rule to not cuss/swear, or must say please/thank you
Constitutive rules: specify how to interpret and perform different kinds of communication. These rules are shaped by cultures and social groups.
Ex: We learn what is respectful/formal/informal communication is in the workplace vs. around friends
Symbolic Abilities
The 5 ways symbols affect our lives
3. Symbolic Abilities
Language Defines Phenomena:
Language (symbols) define the world around us & help us to perceive & think.
Language shapes perceptions
We interact with people based on particular aspects or characteristics of a person.
Totalization
Responding to people as though they are defined by a sole label.
Language shapes and reflects relationships
The words we use to define our relationships determines what happens in them.
3. Symbolic Abilities
2. Language Evaluates:
Language (symbols) is neither neutral nor objective.
Shaping perceptions
We tend to use positive language to describe ourselves and others we like. We tend to do the opposite for people we do not like.
Loaded language
Words can strongly slant perceptions and meanings.
Degrading Language
Hate speech is maliciously used to dehumanize members of particular groups.
3. Symbolic Abilities
3. Language Organizes Perceptions:
How we organize experiences affects what they mean to us.
Abstract Thought
The organizational quality of language allows us to think about abstract concepts.
Language can stereotype
Thinking in broad terms often results in generalizing or stereotyping.
3. Symbolic Abilities
4. Language allows hypothetical thought:
Hypothetical thought allows us to dream, set goals, consider alternative action, and imagine possibilities.
Thinking beyond concrete situations
Naming ideas and holding them in our minds to reflect on them
3 dimensions of time
past , present, and future
Ability to foster personal growth
Self-improvement
3. Symbolic Abilities
5. Language allows self-reflection:
Self-reflection - “I” aspect of self is spontaneous, creative, responsive to inner wants and needs. “Me” aspect of self reflects on the “I” from the perspective of others (socially conscious).
Self-monitoring
Self-reflection allows us to monitor our communication and make adjustments in order to be effective.
Manage our image
Reflecting on ourselves from others’ perspectives.
Speech Communities
4. Speech Communities
People from different social groups learn distinct ways of using language and interpreting others’ language.
Members of speech communities share perspectives on communication that outsiders do not have.
4. Speech Communities
Gendered speech communities
Gender socialization influences gendered speech communities
Women tend to talk more expressively centered around feelings
Men tend to talk in a more instrumental and competitive manner
Differing speech can lead to misunderstandings
Problems discussed between genders are sometimes misunderstood due to differing speech communities.
This is evolving and there appears to be less difference in how we are communicating based on gender roles
Social Media and Verbal Communication
The same Communication Rules apply online as well as IRL (in real life).
5. Social Media and Verbal Communication
For example, we employ Regulative Rules when communicating online.
Regulative Rules dictate how we speak to someone about what, and where.
Scenarios: What tool would you employ in communicating with the following people in your life?
Best Friend
Manager
Professor
Parent
5. Social Media and Verbal Communication
Constitutive Rules have also evolved and apply to many online situations.
Different behaviors are appropriate in different contexts/scenarios.
EX: While most people wouldn’t post personal details about their lives on a Facebook post, some people do choose to divulge more detailed information on themselves through a more personal blog website.
5. Social Media and Verbal Communication
We also coin new words to describe experiences and other forms of communication that are unique to social media.
Most new terms are combinations of words that already exist.
EX: Cyberbullying, Chat Room, “Going Viral”, Blogging, Tweeting, “IRL”.
Guidelines for Improving Verbal Communication
Improving communication online is dependant on understanding other people’s perspectives.
6. Guidelines For Improving Verbal Communication
Engage in Dual Perspective:
Recognize another person’s perspective and take that perspective into account when communicating.
Dual Perspective honors both our point of view, and another’s.
Effective Communication is a relationship between people, and we should be aware of others and their viewpoints when we speak.
6. Guidelines For Improving Verbal Communication
Own Your Feelings and Thoughts:
Avoid using language that absolves you of responsibility for your emotions. Using “I” Language instead of “You” Language helps you take responsibility for your own feelings.
“You” Language vs. “I” Language:
EX: “You make me feel small” vs. “I feel small when you tell me that I’m selfish”
6. Guidelines For Improving Verbal Communication
Respect What Others Say About their Feelings and Thoughts:
Even if you don’t personally agree with another person’s feelings, you can and should still respect another person as the expert on their own thoughts and emotions.
When we open ourselves to other people’s perspectives and thoughts, we grow through their experiences.
6. Guidelines For Improving Verbal Communication
Strive for Accuracy and Clarity:
Be aware of levels of abstraction.
Sometimes confusion stems from using excessively abstract language. Clear, concrete statements are more effective for conveying clear ideas.
Some level of abstraction can be helpful when communicating, but only if everyone involved is familiar with the abstracted terms.
EX: “Let’s hang out” is an abstract statement.
6. Guidelines For Improving Verbal Communication
Qualify language in order to increase clarity when communicating.
When generalizing: Most of the time, a general statement is not absolute.
When describing and evaluating people: People are not static, and describing people as if they are suggests that they are unable to change.
Indexing: A technique developed in order to remind us that evaluations only apply to specific times and circumstances.
EX: “Jake is irresponsible” versus “(In highschool) Jake was irresponsible”.
Media Example
An example of excessively abstract language that causes problems when not communicating face to face:
