Chapter 3 - verbal communication Flashcards
syntax
the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentence. Word order rules
Grammar
includes syntax and refers to all rules of language
verbal communication
printed and spoken words
linguistics
study of language
ladder of abstraction
choosing to focus on a discussion of verbal communication very specifically or abstractly
polyysemy
the fact that multiple meanings can be associated with a given word, symbol or phrase rather than with just one unambiguous meaning
denotative meaning
the general direct meaning of a word
connotative meaning
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)
conversational hypertext
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)
cultural talk
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
feminine talk
nurturing, harmonious and compromising
masculine talk
tough, aggressive, competitive
high-context talk
talk relying on the context in which it takes place, with words used sparingly in a relationship being important
low-context talk
straightforward talk, with the message speaking for itself, and their relationship separated from the message as much as possible
collectivist talk
stressing group benefit and harmony rather than personal needs and advancements (“this project is important to the benefit of the team”)
individualist talk
stresses individual needs and achievement (“this project would look good on your yearly evaluation”)
epicene
gender-neutral (they)
conversational frame
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
high(elaborated) code
formal grammatical way of talking
-unfamiliar people, authority, speaker is uncomfortable
-only middle class
“my state of famishment is of such a proportion….”
low(restricted) code
an informal and ungrammatical way of talking
-close relationship, speaker is relaxed
-low and middle class
“I could eat a horse”
accomodation
when people change their accent, rate of speech and their words in order to indicate the relational state to whom they are talking to
convergence
a person moves toward the style of talk used by the other speaker, indicates liking or respect
divergence
a person moves away from another style of speech to make a relational point, such as establishing dislike or superiority
langue
the formal grammatical structure or system of language
parole
the way we speak, how people actually use language; informal and ungrammatical language structure
the mirror theory of language
we use words to describe things around us, linguistic categories (words etc) reflect reality
-embedded in epistemology of empiricism
constructivism
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
narrative
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
accounts
forms of communication that go beyond the facts and offer justifications, excuses, exoneration, explanations, apologies and accusations
-involves narratives
Kenneth Burke’s Pentad
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
Pentad (5 elements)
-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
functions verbal communication
-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)
facework
the management of people’s dignity or self-respect (face)
positive face wants
the need to be seen and accepted as a worthwhile and reasonable person
negative face wants
the desire not to be imposed on or treated as inferior (I don’t want to bother you but)
determining the size of a face threat
-the relationship shared by interactants
-the power difference of interactants
-the size of the imposition
politeness strategies
-bald on record
-positive politeness
-negative politeness
-off record
-avoidance
bald on record
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)
positive politeness
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?)
negative politeness
acknowledges the possibility of negative face, offering regrets or being pessimistic (it is a lot to ask, but)
off record
hint or present the request in a vague manner (I sure could use some help lifting this sofa)
avoidance
sometimes the face threatening is so large, the respondent avoids it entirely (lift with your knees!)
