Ch. 4 (Language)

Question 1

Meaning of “Language is arbitrary”

Answer 1

The connection between a word’s form and its meaning is not natural or necessary (ex: the name of a child doesn’t influence what they’ll become). Words literally mean whatever we as users of a language choose for them to mean.

Question 2

The rules that language is governed by:

Answer 2

Phonological, Syntactic, Semantic, and Pragmatic rules

Question 3

Denotative meaning

Answer 3

the literal or dictionary definition of a word

Question 4

Connotative meaning

Answer 4

a word’s implications

Question 5

The Semantic Triangle

Answer 5

a diagram in the form of a triangle used to illustrate the relationship between a word (symbol), the concept it represents (reference), and the actual object or idea in the real world (referent)

Question 6

Loaded language

Answer 6

Comprises words with strongly positive or negative connotative meanings (cancer, family, bailout, freedom). The denotative meanings of loaded language may be emotionally neutral.

Question 7

Ambiguous language

Answer 7

some language can be more abstract than concrete, allows for multiple interpretations of a sentence or written text

Question 8

Hayakawa’s Ladder of Abstraction

Answer 8

a concept that describes how language and thought move from concrete to abstract

Question 9

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

Answer 9

states that language shapes a person’s views of reality. The merit of this hypothesis has been widely questioned by researchers (more flexible than determinism).

Question 10

Two components of the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis: Linguistic determinism and Linguistic relativity

Answer 10

Determinism: language entirely determines the way people think, Relativity: language influences thought but doesn’t completely control it

Question 11

Credibility

Answer 11

how much others perceive us as competent and trustworthy

Question 12

Criticism

Answer 12

the act of passing judgment on someone or something

Question 13

Threats

Answer 13

declarations of the intent to harm someone

Question 14

Persuasion

Answer 14

the process of convincing people to think or act in a certain way (persuasive communicative strategies: Anchor-and-contrast approach, Norm of reciprocity, and Social validation principle)

Question 15

Euphemisms

Answer 15

vague, mild expressions that symbolize something blunter or harsher (ex: passed away instead of died)

Question 16

Slang

Answer 16

the use of words often understood only by others in a particular group

Question 17

Defamation

Answer 17

language that harms a person’s reputation

Question 18

Libel

Answer 18

type of defamation that involves communicating a false statement in WRITING or PHYSICAL form to harm someone’s reputation

Question 19

Slander

Answer 19

form of defamation that involves communicating a false statement about someone ORALLY or SPOKEN

Question 20

Hate speech

Answer 20

form of profanity meant to degrade groups of people

Question 21

Ways to Practice Civil Dialogue:

Answer 21

Be honest with yourself and others; choose your words mindfully so you say precisely what you wish to say; be multipresent, or simultaneously aware of the past, present, and future; be open to the possibility of changing your mind; and listen with the goal of truly understanding others.

Question 22

I-statements

Answer 22

claim ownership of what a communicator is thinking or feeling (Ex: I am mad right now)

Question 23

You-statements

Answer 23

shift that responsibility of what the communicator is thinking or feeling to the other person (ex: you are making me mad)