Chapter 4- Language

Question 1

Spair Whorf Hypothesis(4 bullet points)

Answer 1

perception of reality is governed by thought process, which is governed by our language
language used by and on you changes your perception
2 versions- linguistic determinism and linguistic relativity
determinism- prisoners of language, can’t think certain ways because of grammar in language, says you can’t have though if you can’t express it, in order for people to understand you words must be the same
relativity- grammar influences perception, but doesn’t imprison us, different words can have the same meaning

Question 2

Rules of Language(9 bullet points)

Answer 2

structured system of symbols for communicating meanings
grammar- set of rules that say how parts of language can be combined
phonemes- individual parts of sound that make up a specific language, essentially consonants and vowels
phonology- describes patterns of sound in language
morpheme- smallest part of meaning in language, either free(one word) or bound(anything added to it)
morphology- pat of grammar that describes how morphemes are formed from phonemes
syntax- rules that govern combining words into phrases and phrases into sentences
semantics- set of rules that govern meaning of words and sentences
paradism- doesn’t change syntax but changes our perception with different words used
pragmatic rules-
prosodic rules-
idiosyncratic rules-

Question 3

Four Essential Elements of Language

Answer 3

structure- phenomes, morphemes, syntax, semantics, grammar
productivity- ability to transform phonemes into words, phrases, and sentences to communicate your thoughts
displacement- ability to use language to talk about objects, ideas, events, and relations that aren’t physical(like unicorns or dragons)
self reflexive- language can be used to talk about language

Question 4

Three A’s of Language

Answer 4

abstract- leaving details out(associated with object, event, idea) and makes concept vague, can be broken down into simpler ways to understand
ambiguous- meaning of the word based on perception
arbitrary- we decide what the meaning of the word is

Question 5

Abstracting Process

Answer 5

allows you to understand common communication problems

1. sense experience- with language you can communicate what you observed through senses
2. descriptions- verbal words that sketch what we observed through our senses, something usually lost in translation
3. inferences- conclusions based on the unknown
4. judgement- personal opinion of object, event, idea

Question 6

Connotation vs Denotation

Answer 6

connotation- personal meaning, individual interpretation of word, 3 dimensions(evaluation, potency, activity)
denotation- shared meaning of word, agreed to by members of community

Question 7

Fact vs Inference

Answer 7

inferential error- wrong conclusion made form the belief that inferences are facts instead of interpretations
2 ways to avoid inferential error
1. base inferences on evidence and amount of evidence
2. base inferences on high quality information

Question 8

Jargon

Answer 8

the special language in a profession or group
causes problems for those not in group as they don’t understand it
competent use of jargon- reduce use when talking to someone unfamiliar with jargon and operationalize terms to those who don’t know them

Question 9

Euphemism

Answer 9

when words are carefully chosen to numb us from unpleasant or offensive realities
not all euphemisms are bad/inappropriate
compentently dealing with euphemisms- use them cautiously and wisely, get rid of dangerous ones that hide truth