Chapter 4: How We Use Language Flashcards
language is symbolic
- Bulgarian учебник
- Swahili kitabu
- English textbook
- Swedish läromedel
language is usually arbitrary
- most words have only an arbitrary connection to their meanings
- words literally mean whatever we- as users of a language- choose for them to mean
- we make up names and assign meaning
language is governed by rules
- phonological rules- sound related
- syntactic rules- the order of words, ex. starting with the noun then verb
- semantic rules- meaning of word ex. sauce vs. gravy
- pragmatic rules- interpretation of statements ex. can someone crack the door (not literally)
language has layers of meaning
- denotative meanings- dictionary definition
- connotative meanings- idea that the word represents, concepts, layers of understanding
semantic triangle
- referent- definition ex. a place you reside -> denotive
- symbol- is the actual word ex. home
- reference- idea or concept of the word ex. positive -> connotative
language has layers of meaning
- words with strong positive or negative connotative meanings make up loaded language
- cancer
- family
- bailout
- freedom
- the denotative meanings of loaded language may be emotionally neutral
language varies in clarity
- some language is ambiguous
- some language can be more abstract than concrete
hayawaka’s ladder of abstraction
- top- more concrete
- bottom- more abstract
language is bound by context and culture
- the sapir-whord hypothesis states that language shapes a persons views of reality
- linguistic determinism- structure of language determines how we think -> if there was no word for envy we wouldnt feel it
- linguistic relativity- language determines our perception of reality -> we see the world different based on our language we speak
- the merit of the sapir-whorf hypothesis has been widely questioned by researchers
language expresses who we are
- our names define and differentiate us
- naming norms vary by sex and age
- we make assumptions about people on the basis of their names
- richard
- ricky
language expresses who we are
- credibility is the extent to which others perceive us to be competent and trustworthy
- several forms of language can enhance or diminish credibility:
- ciliches
- dialects
- equivocation- disguise a true intention by being ambiguous
- weasel words- research shows, its widely known, trying to mislead someone by not giving all the facts
- allness statements- statements implying the statement is true without exception -> experts say
language connects us to others
- affectionate language can establish and maintain our close relationships
- giving and receiving affection are good for our health
language connects us to others
- we use language to provide comfort to others
- language conveys social information through the exchange of gossip
language separates us from others
- criticism is the act of passing judgement on someone or something
- threats are declarations of the intent to harm someone
- criticisms and threats separate us from others by causing emotional pain and fear
language motivates action
- persuasion is the process of convincing people to think or act in a certain way
- many communicative strategies are persuasive
- anchor-and-contrast approach- ask for something big before you ask for what youre intending
- norm of reciprocity
- social validation principle- persuaded if they think other people are doing it too
ways we use and abuse language
- humor
- euphemisms
- slang
- defamation
- profanity
- hate speech
- jargon
humor
can enhance our communications and associations with others in many ways
euphemisms
are vague, mild expressions that symbolize something blunter or harsher
ex. passed away instead of died
slang
is the use of words often understood only by others in a particular group
defamation
language that harms a persons reputation
- libel- in print
- slander- out loud
profanity
vulgar, obscene language
hate speech
form of profanity meant to degrade groups of people
separate your opinions from factual claims
- factual claims can be verified with evidence and shown to be true or false
- “i live in the US”
- opinions express personal judgements, but are not true or false in an absolute sense
- “i live in the greatest country on earth”
use clearly understandable language
- speak at an appropriate level
- avoid “talking over peoples heads”
- avoid “taking down to people”
