Chapter 4: How We Use Language

Question 1

What is language?

Answer 1

structured system of symbols used to communicate meaning

Question 2

Arbitrary meaning

Answer 2

words mean whatever users of language choose for them to mean
- Meaning of words can change over time

Question 3

Sapir-Wharf Hypothesis

Answer 3

Theory that the language we choose to speak shapes our views of reality
- shapes how members of a culture see the world
- if the word doesn’t exist in the language, it can’t exist in our reality

Question 4

Linguistic determination

Answer 4

The structure of language determines how we think

Question 5

Linguistic relativity

Answer 5

Suggest that because language determines our perceptions of reality, people see the world differently depending on which language they speak

Question 6

Semantic triangle

Answer 6

Portrays three necessary elements for identifying the meaning in language:

Symbol = word
Reference (dennotative meaning) = literal (Dictionary) meaning
Referent (connotative meaning) = emotions associated with words (How it makes us FEEL)

Question 7

Concrete words

Answer 7

Refers to a specific object in the physical world

Question 8

Abstract words

Answer 8

Refers to a broader category of organizing concepts of objects

Question 9

Samuel Hayakawa’s latter of abstraction

Answer 9

Bottom of the latter = more abstract
- words become more concrete as you move up the latter
Top of the latter = more concrete

Question 10

Loaded language

Answer 10

Words that have a strong positive or negative connotation

Question 11

Ambiguous language

Answer 11

Words that can have more than one meaning

Question 12

Credibility

Answer 12

The extent to which others receive us to be competent and trustworthy

Question 13

Clichés

Answer 13

Words or phrases that were novel at one time but have lost their effect owing to overuse

Question 14

Dialects

Answer 14

Language variation shared by people of a certain region or social class

Question 15

What does the Communication accommodation theory state?

Answer 15

Enhance credibility by speaking in a dialect that is familiar to audience

Question 16

Gossip

Answer 16

informal, and frequently judgmental, talk about people who are not present

Question 17

Criticism

Answer 17

words that pass judgement on someone or something

Question 18

Destructive criticism

Answer 18

occurs when we feel that someone is criticizing us to put us down or destroy our self confidence

Question 19

Constructive criticism

Answer 19

occurs when we feel someone is criticizing us to help us improve

Question 20

Threat

Answer 20

a declaration of the intention to harm someone

Question 21

Euphemism

Answer 21

words with another connotation to them that makes them less harsh
- Sugarcoating
-EX: instead of saying someone died, you say they passed away
- EX: Restroom instead of toilet

Question 22

Slang

Answer 22

language of “co-cultures”

Question 23

Jargon

Answer 23

technical vocabulary of a certain occupation or profession

Question 24

Defamation

Answer 24

language that is untrue and negative to reputation
- Has to be published; either say it or write it
- Written = libel
- Spoken = slander

Question 25

Profanity

Answer 25

language considered to be vulgar, rude, or obscene

Question 26

Hate speech

Answer 26

language used to degrade, intimidate and dehumanize a specific group of people
- First amendment protects hate speech
- If it incites violence = not protected under first amendment

Question 27

Fact vs Opinion

Answer 27

If you’re going to disagree with a factual statement, you can say “I disagree” or “I believe that’s inaccurate”

Question 28

“I” statement

Answer 28

statement that claims ownership of the communicator’s feelings or thoughts
- “I’m angry”, not “You made me angry”

Question 29

“You” statement

Answer 29

a statement that shifts responsibility for the communicator’s feelings or thoughts to the other party in the communication
- “You hurt my feelings”

Question 30

Denotative meaning

Answer 30

literal meaning of the word
Connotative meaning: the ideas or concepts a word suggests in addition to its literal definition

Question 31

Connotative meaning

Answer 31

the ideas or concepts a word suggests in addition to its literal definition

Question 32

Persuasion

Answer 32

attempt to motivate others to think or do what we want them to do
- Person has a choice not to do it

Question 33

Anchor + Contrast

Answer 33

persuasion technique where you precede a desired request with a much larger request
- EX: you want people to donate $50, so you spread out the amounts that people could donate $1,000, $500, $250

Question 34

Norm of Reciprocity

Answer 34

give someone something, get something in return
- Ex: giving someone a gift, getting a gift in return

Question 35

Social Validation

Answer 35

people will comply because others have complied
- EX: buying something that 25,000 people bought vs something that 20 people bought

Question 36

Ethical communication

Answer 36

Speaking in an honest way