Chapter 3 - verbal communication

Question 1

syntax

Answer 1

the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentence. Word order rules

Question 2

Grammar

Answer 2

includes syntax and refers to all rules of language

Question 3

verbal communication

Answer 3

printed and spoken words

Question 4

linguistics

Answer 4

study of language

Question 5

ladder of abstraction

Answer 5

choosing to focus on a discussion of verbal communication very specifically or abstractly

Question 6

polyysemy

Answer 6

the fact that multiple meanings can be associated with a given word, symbol or phrase rather than with just one unambiguous meaning

Question 7

denotative meaning

Answer 7

the general direct meaning of a word

Question 8

connotative meaning

Answer 8

secondary meaning, the overtones, implications, suggestions, complications or additional meanings associated with a word
-a speaker can bias a conversation by the use of loaded terms to describe the same group of people, by using the positive or negative value with a word
(terrorists vs freedom fighters)

Question 9

conversational hypertext

Answer 9

coded messages within a conversations that an informed listener (ex. friend) will effortlessly understand (“I was reading Roald Dahl”)
-you use words that refer to your shared history and common understandings that represent your relationship
-this, and overlaps of perceptions, make communication special and close (inside jokes)

Question 10

cultural talk

Answer 10

cultures and their values influence the meanings that are given to words and ways that the words are used. verbal communication contains cultural assumptions and values

Question 11

feminine talk

Answer 11

nurturing, harmonious and compromising

Question 12

masculine talk

Answer 12

tough, aggressive, competitive

Question 13

high-context talk

Answer 13

talk relying on the context in which it takes place, with words used sparingly in a relationship being important

Question 14

low-context talk

Answer 14

straightforward talk, with the message speaking for itself, and their relationship separated from the message as much as possible

Question 15

collectivist talk

Answer 15

stressing group benefit and harmony rather than personal needs and advancements (“this project is important to the benefit of the team”)

Question 16

individualist talk

Answer 16

stresses individual needs and achievement (“this project would look good on your yearly evaluation”)

Question 17

epicene

Answer 17

gender-neutral (they)

Question 18

conversational frame

Answer 18

assist people making sense of communication by drawing attention to how they should communicate
-shared understanding of the frame -> better communication
-relationships, physical location and cultures act as frames because they influence meaning of symbols
-frames initially set up an interaction but can be adjusted as it proceeds

Question 19

high(elaborated) code

Answer 19

formal grammatical way of talking
-unfamiliar people, authority, speaker is uncomfortable
-only middle class
“my state of famishment is of such a proportion….”

Question 20

low(restricted) code

Answer 20

an informal and ungrammatical way of talking
-close relationship, speaker is relaxed
-low and middle class
“I could eat a horse”

Question 21

accomodation

Answer 21

when people change their accent, rate of speech and their words in order to indicate the relational state to whom they are talking to

Question 22

convergence

Answer 22

a person moves toward the style of talk used by the other speaker, indicates liking or respect

Question 23

divergence

Answer 23

a person moves away from another style of speech to make a relational point, such as establishing dislike or superiority

Question 24

langue

Answer 24

the formal grammatical structure or system of language

Question 25

parole

Answer 25

the way we speak, how people actually use language; informal and ungrammatical language structure

Question 26

the mirror theory of language

Answer 26

we use words to describe things around us, linguistic categories (words etc) reflect reality
-embedded in epistemology of empiricism

Question 27

constructivism

Answer 27

our language impacts the way we see and think about our reality
-constitutive approach
-implies our language is productive, creates something new
-implies language is mostly presentational
Narratives often become accounts

Question 28

narrative

Answer 28

any organized story, report or talk that has a plot, an argument, or a team in which speakers both relate facts and arrange the story in a way that provides an account, an explanation or conclusion. Presentational, often told in a way that makes the speaker appear in a favourable light

Question 29

accounts

Answer 29

forms of communication that go beyond the facts and offer justifications, excuses, exoneration, explanations, apologies and accusations
-involves narratives

Question 30

Kenneth Burke’s Pentad

Answer 30

the connection between words result in extra meanings that go beyond the meanings of single words. The very act of choosing and connecting words is very meaningful, because one word can provide a frame for those that follow

Question 31

Pentad (5 elements)

Answer 31

-Act: what happened
-Scene: situation or location of the act
-Agent: who performed the act
-Agency: how the act was accomplished
-Purpose: why the act took place

Question 32

functions verbal communication

Answer 32

-represent: enables you to use symbols to represent things
-present: enables you to present your world view
-influencing how we are viewed by others
-influencing the behaviours of others (both involve facework)

Question 33

facework

Answer 33

the management of people’s dignity or self-respect (face)

Question 34

positive face wants

Answer 34

the need to be seen and accepted as a worthwhile and reasonable person

Question 35

negative face wants

Answer 35

the desire not to be imposed on or treated as inferior (I don’t want to bother you but)

Question 36

determining the size of a face threat

Answer 36

-the relationship shared by interactants
-the power difference of interactants
-the size of the imposition

Question 37

politeness strategies

Answer 37

-bald on record
-positive politeness
-negative politeness
-off record
-avoidance

Question 38

bald on record

Answer 38

act directly without concern for face needs. When imposition is small or appropriate for relationship (I need you to help me lift this sofa for a minute)

Question 39

positive politeness

Answer 39

focus on the positive face of the person, often through flattery or offering something in return (you are so strong, muscular and fit. Could you help me lift this sofa?)

Question 40

negative politeness

Answer 40

acknowledges the possibility of negative face, offering regrets or being pessimistic (it is a lot to ask, but)

Question 41

off record

Answer 41

hint or present the request in a vague manner (I sure could use some help lifting this sofa)

Question 42

avoidance

Answer 42

sometimes the face threatening is so large, the respondent avoids it entirely (lift with your knees!)