Chapter 5 Concepts Flashcards
What does the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis suggest?
Language structures thought and behavior
What role do ‘God terms’ and ‘devil terms’ play in rhetoric?
They act as ultimate terms that validate arguments
What term describes the ability to accommodate one’s speaking style to another?
Convergence
Which function of language is primarily aimed at getting what you need?
Instrumental function
Which term describes a linguistic strategy to emphasize differences in communication styles?
Divergence
What is the main difference between language and communication?
Language: structured system of symbols controled by rules.
Communication: Broader act of exchanging messages.
What are the three main components that describe the nature of language?
Language is
* symbolic
* rule governed
* meanings are in people, not words.
Instrumental function
gets you what you need or what you want
Regulatory function
helps you control the behavior of others
Informative function
teach or share knowledge
Heuristic function
gain knowledge and understanding
Interactional function
helps you start and maintain relationships
How does language reflect societal values?
through the use of ultimate terms that validate arguments and influence societal direction
Personal language function
express yourself, personality (tends to be used more in private than public; humor or sarcasm)
Imaginative function
express your creativity or artistic ability (poetry, story telling)
behavioral description
is an account that refers only to observable phenomena
* Who is involved?
* In what circumstances does the behavior occur?
* What behaviors are involved?
Why do terms like “estate tax,” “inheritance tax,” and “death tax” vary in public perception?
The differences stem from the connotations and emotional responses associated with each term.
Disruptive language
Language that causes confusion or miscommunication
(ex: facts, opinions, inferences, and emotive language)
How can behavioral descriptions resolve abstraction in communication?
Behavioral descriptions focus on observable actions and specific circumstances, providing clarity and reducing ambiguity in communication.
