Chapter 4: Verbal Communication Flashcards
Denotative
accepted definition (dictionary)
Connotative
emotional or attitudinal response people have to a word
Abstraction and Meaning
High- and low-level abstractions language can range from vague to specific
Evasion
avoiding giving details
Equivocation
using unclear words
Euphemism
using inoffensive words
Slang
using informal, nonstandard words
Jargon
using technical language
Semantics
the study of meaning in language
Pragmatics
ability to use cultural symbol systems appropriately
Biased language
openly excludes or implies something negative about certain groups
Politically correct language
uses neutral terms in place of biased language
Relational Context
Using language and levels of abstraction to create / reflect a relationship
High language
formal, polite, or “mainstream” language
Low language
informal, casual language for more comfortable environments
Cultural Context
Gender and language affect communication
Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
The words a culture uses or does not use influence thinking
Linguistic determinism
Language influences how we see the world
Linguistic relativity
Speakers of different languages have different views of the world
