Chapter 3: Language and Meaning Flashcards
Question
Answer
something that stands in for or represents something else
Symbol
culturally agreed on and ever-changing systems of symbols that help us organize, understand and generate meaning
Codes
our ability to talk and events that are removed in space or time from a speaker and situation
Displacement
a model of communication that indicates the relationship among a thought, symbol, and referent and highlights indirect relationship between the symbol and referent
Triangle of meaning
object or idea to which the symbol refers
Referent
definitions that are accepted by the language group as a whole, or the dictionary definition of a word
Denotation
definitions that are based on emotion- or experience-based associations people have with a word
Connotation
rules that govern how words are used to make phrases and sentences
Grammar
language helps us communicate our observations, thoughts, feelings, and needs
Verbal expressions
utterances that try to get another person to do something
Directives
newly coined or used words
Neologisms
new or adapted words that are specific to one group, context, or time period
Slang
messages communicated in an open, honest, and non-confrontational way
Supportive messages
make others respond defensively, which can lead to feelings of separation and actual separation or dissolution of a relationship
Unsupportive messages
sweeping judgments and generalizations are sure to escalate a negative situation.
Global labels
often disguised as humor, it usually represents passive-aggressive behavior through which a person indirectly communicates negative feelings
Sarcasm
a tactic used by people when they do not want to discuss a current situation
Dragging up the past
holding a person up to the supposed standards or characteristics of another personÊh
Negative comparisons
generalized overstatements about another person that go beyond labeling but still do not describe specific behavior in a productive way
Judgmental ‘“you” messages
suggesting violence or some other negative consequence usually signals the end of productive communication and usually overcompensates for a personÕs insecurity
Threats
a model used to illustrate how language can range from concrete to abstract
The ladder of abstraction
refers to specialized words used by certain group or profession
Jargon
language used to express a person’s feelings and create similar feelings in another person
Affective language
breaking semantic rules, but in a way that typically enhances meaning or understanding rather than diminishes it
Figurative language
a direct comparison of two things using the words like or as
Simile
an implicit comparison of two things that are not alike and/or are not typically associated
Metaphor
the attribution of human qualities or characteristics of other living things to nonhuman objects or abstract concepts
Personification
occurs when a person deviates from established social norms
Incivility
creates social bonds or for impression management (to seem cool or attractive)
Social swearing
provides a sense of relief, as people use it to manage stress and tension, which can be a preferred alternative to physical aggression
Annoyance swearing
conclusions based on thoughts or speculation, but not direct observation
Inferences
conclusions based on direct observation or group consensus
Facts
expressions of approval or disapproval that are subjective and not verifiable
Judgments
misperception of an inference (conclusion based on limited information) as an observation (an observed or agreed-on fact)
Inference-observation confusion
a skewed way of viewing or talking about a group negatively
Cultural bias
race, gender, age, sexual orientation, and ability
Cultural identities
