Test Ch. 5-8 Flashcards
List and define the 4 areas of linguistics:
- Phonology-the sound system of language/how words are pronounced/what sounds are universal
- Semantics- the study of meaning/what the words actually mean
- Syntax-the study of the structure of language (plurals, possessives, etc.)
- Pragmatically- the study of how language is used (give info, communicate feelings, etc.)
How does language influence perception? Give specific examples:
The words you’re taught lay the ground work for what is most important in life/shapes the idea of the world around us
Ex: Penan people have 1 word for he/she/it but 6 ways to say “we”»_space; stronger community approach
German/Spanish have formal and informal “You”»_space; more respect
Characteristics of low context communications styles:
- more direct style of communication (directness over sensitivity)
- info must be provided explicitly
- preference for openness, honesty, forthrightness
- less aware of nonverbal cues, environment & situation
- Northern and Western Europeans, North Americans
What countries are considered to be low context?
Northern and Western Europeans, North Americans
What are the characteristics of high context communication?
- more indirect communication style (value relationship harmony)
- much info. drawn from surroundings
- very little must be explicitly transferred
- environment, situation, gestures, mood, all taken into account
- nonverbal is important
What countries are typically considered high context?
Asians, Middle Easterners, Africans, Latin Americans
What are the attitudes towards speaking vs. silence vs. writing?
U.S. > values speech and articulating words, need to be able to communicate well verbally….silence is usually awkward, angry is the silent treatment
Amish, Chinese > value silence, its harmonious and a skill in conversation, turn taking, Being quiet before you speak
Americans value writing in some places like a contract
What are some examples of nonverbal codes?
paralinguistics-anything that’s happening with your voice that isn’t words (“ummm”, speed, loud/soft)
Personal space-how much space you need to feel comfortable with other people (contact vs. noncontact cultures)
Physical appearance-status, what you’re like
Eye contact- direct shortens the distance between two people
Facial expressions- are not taught; they are innate
Gestures- hand/arm movements that communicate
Silence
Time Orientation
What does it mean if a culture is monochronic?
Time is a commodity and they like to get things done
What does it mean if a culture is polychronic?
Time is conceptual/ just an idea
What are some specific cultural differences in nonverbal communication codes between U.S. and another culture?
America hates having silence, uses lots of filler words where as Japan values silence and don’t use filler words
In America, eye contact is respectful, in Asian culture, it is disrespectful
Time is very important and strict in America, whereas it’s much more laidback in Africa
What are some characteristics of monochromic people?
-do one thing at a time
-concentrate on the job
-take time commitments seriously
-are low context and need information
-adhere religiously to plans
(America, British, Canadian, German)
What are some characteristics of polychronic people?
-do many things at once
-are highly distract-able and subject to interruptions
-consider time commitments an objective to be achieved, if possible, but may experience procrastination
-are high context and already have info., may experience info overload
-change plans often and easily
(Latin America, African, Middle Eastern, and Southern European cultures)
What are some examples of pop culture?
Movies like Avatar, Titanic, and Star Wars
Music like Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, One Direction
TV such as Big Brother, The Bachelor
Brands like Nike and Adidas
What are the 4 characteristics of pop culture?
- Produced by cultural industries
- Different from folk culture
- Everywhere
- Fills a social function
