Language
A structured system of symbols used for communicating meaning.
Onomatopoeia
A word formed by limiting the sound associated with its meaning. Words such as meow, buzz, splash, and click
Four types of language rules
Phonological, Syntactic, Semantic, Pragmatic
Phonological
Deals with the correct pronunciation of words
Syntactic
Dictate the proper order of words for the intended meaning.
Semantic
Govern the meaning of individual words
Pragmatic
Apply social and cultural information to the interpretation of statements.
Denotative Meaning
A word's literal meaning or dictionary definition
Connotative Meaning
A word's implied or secondary meaning, in addition to its literal meaning.
Loaded Language
Terms that carry strongly positive or strongly negative connotations.
Ambiguous Language
Language having more than one possible meaning
Recognizing that a word only represents an object or idea but does not constitute the object or idea itself is to understand that language __________________
is symbolic
That a word like "duck" has no characteristics of a duck--the word"duck" cannot fly, does not have a bill or webbed feet, and does not quack-- represents the concept that language is usually ________
arbitrary
Language is governed by ______
rules
Language has layers of ________
meaning
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
The idea that language influences the ways that members of a culture see and think about the world. Embodies two specific principles: Linguistic determination and linguistic relativity.
Linguistic determination
suggests that the structure of language determine how we think.
Linguistic relativity
because language determines our perceptions of reality, people who speak different languages will see the world differently
What is true about language?
Concrete words are specific
Credibility
The extent to which others perceive us to be competent and trustworthy.
Cliches
Language practice that can diminish credibility; or phrases that were novel at one time but have lost their effect because of overuse.
Dialects
variations on a language that are shared by people of a certain religion or social class.
Equivocation
strategically vague language that disguises the speaker's true intentions.
Weasel Words
terms and phrases that are intended to mislead listeners by implying something that they don't actually say.
Allness Statement
Specific form of weasel words; Declaration implying that a claim is true without exception.
Affection
an emotional experience that includes feeling of love and appreciation that one person has for another
Intimacy
close, supportive relationships
Euphemism
A vague mild expression that symbolizes something more blunt or harsh.
The practice of using euphemisms specifically to distort meaning or to make offensive or upsetting news seem more acceptable is referred to as __________
Doublespeak.
Slang
informal, unconventional words that are often understood only by others in a particular group.
Defamation
Language that harms a person's reputation or image.
Libel
A defamatory statement made in print or in some other fixed medium.
ex. Mariya tweets that Hannah is a well known thief, even hough she has no evidence.
Slander
A defamatory statement made aloud.
Profanity
A form of language considered vulgar, rude or observe in the context in which it is used.
Hate Speech
a specific form of profanity meant to degrade, intimidate, or dehumanize people on the bases of their gender, national origin, sexual orientation, etc.
Communication Climate
Emotional tone of a relationship.
Confirming Messages
Behaviors that indicate how much we value another person
disconfirming messages
Behavior that imply a lack of regard for another person.
3 types of disconfirming messages
From most to least disconfirming: 1. Impervious response 2. Verbal abuse 3. Generalized complaining.
Impervious Response
...
Verbal Abuse
...
Generalized Complaining
...
Defensiveness
Excessive concern with guarding oneself against the threat of criticism
Supportiveness
Person's feeling of assurance that others care about and will protect him or her
Non-evaluative Feedback
A reply that withholds assessment of what the speaker has said or done
Evaluative Feedback
A reply that offers an assessment of what the speaker has said or done.
I-statement
A statement that claims ownership of one's thoughts or feelings. The speaker claims responsibility.
you-statement
A statement that shifts responsibility for one's own thoughts or feelings to the listener. the listener claims responsibility.
Techniques of non-evaluative feedback
offer support, probe, paraphrase
Reason
Make judgments about the worlds based on evidence rather then intuition.
What is true about how names define and differentiate us?
#NAME?
Language is bound by ____
Context and culture
Ways that humor can enhance our communication with others
Diffuse stress, make social interactions more enjoyable , can reinforce people's feeling of intimacy.
What type of humor is seen as particularly attractive in others?
self-deprecating
Feedback
includes the verbal and nonverbal behaviors through which you convey your attention to a person's message.
Most important aspect of humor?
a violation of our expectations
The symbolic nature of language is illustrated by the fact that different languages have _________ words for the same thing.
Different
communication scholars have shown that ______ can help reduce cortisol levels, resulting in stress reduction.
writing about positive feelings for a loved one
How does slang serve a social function?
It helps us identify who does and does not belong in our social groups.
The meaning of words are situated in where?
In the people who use them
What does the semantic triangle help us understand?
The relationship between words and their denotative and connotative meanings
In the semantic triangle, the connotative meaning of a word is called the ______. While the denotative meaning is the __________.
reference; referent.
What is true about the symbolic nature of language?
It evolves.
Some social groups have recognized that they can _______ the negative effects of certain profane terms by using the terms themselves, or reclaiming the terms.
reduce
Why are hate laws and regualtions controversial, according to those who oppose them?
It is difficult to tell what is hate speech and what is not. Restricting speech violates the first amendment of the constitution.
profanity can sometimes be a __________ when it is used to establish and maintain an informal social atmosphere.
social lubricant
How does humor enhance our communication?
It can reinforce relationships.
The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggests which of the following?
Language shapes our views of reality.
What might a critic of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis say?
Multiple
Not having a word for an experience does not necessarily mean that experience does not exist.
Which of the following constitutes profanity?
#NAME?
Strategic ambiguity is used in which of the following?
equivocation
The "ladder of abstraction" performs what function?
It illustrates the progression of words from the more abstract to the more concrete.
Language is said to be generally arbitrary because of which of the following?
Words do not have a direct connection to the idea or ideas they represent.
Words or phrases that were novel at one time but have since lost their impact because they have been overused are called ?
clich�s