Module 10: Language & Communication

Question 1

language

Answer 1

an important part of our culture and distinguishes us from other animals. it is a universal psychological skill of humans which brings shared intentionality, helps with communication of belief and intention and is the starting point of human culture. differences in language also reinforce our different cultures

Question 2

lexicon

Answer 2

the words that make up a language

Question 3

syntax and grammer

Answer 3

the system of rules about the word forms and how words must fit together to give meaning

Question 4

phonology

Answer 4

the system of rules about how words should sound

Question 5

semantics

Answer 5

the meaning of words

Question 6

pragmatics

Answer 6

the system of rules about how language should be used and understood in a social context

Question 7

self-other references

Answer 7

what do people call themselves and others. in the english language we only know “you”, in france it is already vous and tu. but japan is more extensive in this

Question 8

high-context communication

Answer 8

most of the information is within the person, there is little in the explicit part of the message. how it is said is more important than what is said. more saying, reading between the lines and “silence is golden”

Question 9

low-context communication

Answer 9

most of the information is in the explicit code. what is said is more important than how it is said. direct communication, “i mean what i say and i way what i mean”

Question 10

sapir-whorf hypothesis

Answer 10

states that speakers of different languages think differently because of the differences in their language. thus, language affects cognition. this is also knowns as linguistic relativity

Question 11

evidence against sapir-whorf hypothesis

Answer 11

• the 11 terms for the primary colors are universal in hierarchal terms. different cultures can distinguish between light and dark. colors are gradually added by a fixed hierarchy. thus, color perception is universal and not dependent on language
• thoughts can be formulated without words. like experiencing emotions, for which we have no word
• Raramuri Indians in Mexico only have one word for shame and guilt. however, they do distinguish between the experience of shame and guilt

Question 12

nonverbal communication

Answer 12

most communication is nonverbal. facial expressions, voice characteristics, gestures and body position, interpersonal distance, touch and visual attention/look are nonverbal communications. these often reveal our intentions

Question 13

speech illustrations

Answer 13

gestures used to support speech

Question 14

emblems

Answer 14

culture-specific gestures that have some meaning without involving speech

Question 15

contact cultures

Answer 15

people are used to eye contact, touching and being close to each other

Question 16

proxemics

Answer 16

use of space in interpersonal relationships

Question 17

voice sound

Answer 17

of course we make sound with out voice, but our voice has its own characteristics called para-linguistic cues such as tone, intonation, speed or volume

Question 18

message

Answer 18

the information and meaning exchanged when people communicate

Question 19

encoding

Answer 19

the process by which people select, embed and signal information

Question 20

signals

Answer 20

observable behaviors in which messages are encoded during communication

Question 21

channels

Answer 21

specific sensory channels which signals are sent and received (such as speech and body language)

Question 22

decoding

Answer 22

process by which signals are received and translated into understandable messages

Question 23

intracultural communication

Answer 23

between people of the same cultural backgrounds

Question 24

intercultural communication

Answer 24

between people of different cultural backgrounds

Question 25

obstacles of intercultural communication

Answer 25

• assumption of similarities
• language differences
• nonverbal misinterpretation
• stereotypes
• tendency to evaluate
• stress and anxiety
• uncertainty and ambiguity

Question 26

mindfulness

Answer 26

people are aware of their own habits, mental scripts and cultural expectations. this can be motivation, knowledge or skill related, do we have the right knowledge and skills to adapt these?

Question 27

uncertainty reduction

Answer 27

the process by which people try to reduce uncertainty and stress of intercultural communication

Question 28

face

Answer 28

you must be aware of your own face and its preservation. face is the concern that comes with your own presentation in public and the possible embarrassment that may arise in the process

Question 29

emotion regulation

Answer 29

the skill of controlling your negative emotions that makes you more cooperative in constructive intercultural processes

Question 30

bilingual

Answer 30

being bilingual would have its advantages for cognitive tasks. exposure to multiple languages in the environment would accelerate effective communication. in addition, bilinguals can better select their attention to stimuli