Language, culture and communication Flashcards
Define culture
A learned meaning system that consists of patterns of traditions, beliefs, values, norms, meanings, and symbols that are passed from one generation to the next and are shared to varying degrees by interacting members of a community
The iceberg metaphor: surface level culture, intermediate level culture, deep level culture
Surface level: popular culture
Intermediate level: symbols, meanings and norms
Deep level: culturally shared traditions, beliefs and values
Define Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
The differences in the way language encode cultural categories affect the way users of different languages view the world around them
What is Linguistic determinism?
The strong form of Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis; argues that language we speak determines our ability to perceive and think about objects
What is Linguistic relativity?
the weaker version of Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis; language one speaks influences thinking patterns but does not determine them
Intercultural communication
symbolic exchange process whereby individuals from two or more different cultural communities negotiate shared meanings in an interactive situation
What is Cross-cultural communication?
the comparison of communication behaviours and patterns in two or more cultures
What is intercultural communication?
interaction between people from different cultural backgrounds
Define globalisation(one of the motivations for studying/understanding language)
spatial-temporal processes that rapidly cut across national boundaries and operate on a global scale, integrating and stretching cultures and communities across space and time
Define Internationalisation (one of the motivations for studying/understanding language)
higher levels of interconnectedness between educational institutions draw attention to intercultural dimensions of teaching, learning and research
What does advances in communication technology bring? (one of the motivations for studying/understanding language)
increasing exchanges of people, information and ideas
What does Changing demographic mean? (one of the motivations for studying/understanding language)
immigration as an example
Explain how “personal expansion and responsibilities” tie into studying and understanding language
we encounter linguistic and cultural differences in our educational, personal or professional life. we are afforded more opportunities to discover more about ourselves and the world around us.
Define speech style
choices regarding a wide range of linguistic elements, e.g. choice of vocabulary, syntactic patterns, volume, pace, intonation.
Define communication style
a pattern of verbal and non-verbal behaviours that comprises our preferred ways of giving and receiving information, e.g. preferred topics, preferred forms of interaction, how you give compliments or express arguments
Compare speech style and communication style
speech style focuses on patterns of language use, “communication style” is a broader term that covers other aspects as well (e.g. non-verbal language)
Why do we have the Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT)?
to explain why individuals modify their speech communication practises depending on who they are talking to
Explain the act of Convergence
speakers accommodate their speech to that of their addressee through the act of convergence to win approval, build solidarity and reduce social distance
Explain the act of Divergence
Speakers opt to maintain their speech style to emphasise their affliction with their in-group, and to differentiate themselves from the addressee, leading to an increase in social distance
What functions are there for non-verbal communication?
Self presentation, conveying relationship messages, replacing verbal messages, emphasising verbal messages, rituals
Define Self presentation
we disclose information about ourselves through our tone of voice, posture, mode of dress and adornments
Define conveying relationship messages
We indicate our relationship with others through non-verbal means (e.g., facial expression, speech qualities, eye contact). Non-verbal communication can indicate the power dimension in relationships (e.g., seating/serving arrangement in a formal dinner).
Define replacing verbal messages
Non-verbal messages can be used to substitute verbal messages (e.g., holding a finger to your lips instead of uttering ‘be quiet’).
Define emphasising verbal messages
Non-verbal messages can also be used to emphasize the emotion or depth of feelings that lie behind the verbal message (e.g., a look of surprise).
Define rituals
All cultures have rituals that include non-verbal actions, for example, a set of actions performed for symbolic meanings (e.g., greetings).
