Speech - Lesson 4 Flashcards
utterance exchanges
Turn-taking
is a complete unit of talk bounded by the speaker’s literal or figurative silence
Utterance
a system of symbols used by people to communicate
Language
collection of words and expressions
Lexicon
sounds used to pronounce words
Phonology
rules for combining words to form sentences
Syntax and Grammar
all people who understand a particular language
Language Community
a unique form of more general language spoken by a specific culture or co-culture
no dialect is better or worse than another
each just uses different lexicons, phonology, grammar, and syntax
if spoken by the power elite or majority of a language community, the dialect becomes promoted as the standard or “proper” form
Dialect
smaller groups that speak a common dialect
Speech Communities
personal symbol system that includes active vocabularies and unique pronunciations, grammar, and syntax
Idiolect
CHARACTERISTIC OF LANGUAGE
Language is Arbitrary
Language is Abstract
Language changes over time
words used to represent things in any language are arbitrary symbols
people who use a language decide what the words mean, and they can change the meaning.
uk: chips us: french fries
uk: candy floss us: cotton candy
uk: chips us: french fries
Language is Arbitrary
Includes general language and intangible qualities, ideas, or concepts. It is often vague and open to interpretation
For example: the word ‘pet’ can have multiple meanings like dog, cat, parrot, etc
Language is Abstract
new words are constantly being invented and existing words abandoned or assigned meanings
example: conyo, forda, aave
Language changes over time
process of melding dialects
melding = blending / combining
DIALECT LEVELING
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LANGUAGE AND MEANING
Semantics - meanings derived from the words themselves
Pragmatics - meanings derived from the conversational context
Sociolinguistics - meanings derived from social and cultural context
meanings derived from the words themselves
Semantics
meanings derived from the conversational context
Pragmatics
meanings derived from the social and cultural context
Sociolinguistics
derived from the words themselves and how they are arranged into sentences
because words are arbitrarily chosen symbols used to represent thoughts and
feelings, our ability to express ourselves and understand others is limited by the size and accuracy of our vocabulary
Semantic Meaning
is the explicit meaning found in the dictionary of a language community
Denotation
is the implicit additional meaning we associate with word
Connotation
Precise words that clarify by narrowing from a general category to a particular item or group within it
For example: saying “a banged-up Honda Civic” is more specific than saying “a car”
Specific Language
Words that clarify semantic meaning by appealing to the senses
Example: seeing, hearing, feelings, tasting, smelling
Instead of saying Jill “speaks in a weird way” we might say, Jill mumbles, whispers, blusters, or drones
Concrete Language
Use words our receivers will understand
Only use jargon or slang if we are certain the meaning will be clear
Overusing and misusing abbreviations and acronyms can hinder understanding
Familiar Language
Example: Lucy says “Rashad is very loyal” (meaning of loyal = faithful to an idea, person, company) is an abstract word. Lucy might add “I mean, he never criticizes friends behind their backs”.
Lucy clarifies what she means as it applies to Rashad
Descriptive details and examples
Inclusive word choices that demonstrate respect for others
Linguistic Sensitivity
Use of words that do not apply only to one sex, race, or another group
English speakers use the pronoun “He” to represent all humans regardless of sex. This approach is not inclusive.
Instead of using “he” use “they”
Inclusive Language
Interpreting a message related to the conversational context if it
Changes across speakers and situations
Pragmatic Meaning
Remember!
Semantic meaning focuses on what “words” meanwhile in Pragmatic meaning focuses on what “people” mean.
The utterance of a verbal message by a speaker and what it implies about how the listener should respond
We speak, we do
Speech Act
Say what only what you believe to be true based on evidence to support your position
Tell the Truth
Include all the information needed to fully answer the question and refrain from adding irrelevant information
Provide the right amount of information
Link your message to the purpose of the conversation and interpret the messages of others in line with the topic at hand
Relate what you say to the topic being discussed
When you violate one of these guidelines, you should the that you are breaking it
Acknowledge when your message violates a guideline
Employ perception checking in an attempt to come to mutual understanding
Assume the best first
Varies according to the norms of a particular culture or co-culture
Misunderstandings occur when we interact with someone who operates using different norms regarding how words are combined
Sociolinguistics
An expression whose meanings are different from the literal meanings associated with the words used in them
Idioms
The language that openly states the speaker’s intention in a straightforward and unambiguous way
Direct Verbal Style
The more you learn about other cultures, the better you will be able to convey and interpret messages when communicating with those sociolinguistic verbal styles different from yours
Develop intercultural competence
Practices of paying attention to what is happening at any given moment
We will constantly attend to how our cultural norms, idioms, scripts, and verbal styles are similar to and different
Practice mindfulness
The old saying “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
Respect and adapt to the sociolinguistic practices of others
SOUND PRODUCTION sequence
Breathing
Phonation
Resonation
Articulation
vocalization assistance respiration
lungs and diaphragm
Breathing
producing voice
Phonation
producing specific sounds for clarity
Articulation
amplifying and modifying voice
Resonation
