Topic #5 - Language and Verbal Communication Flashcards
How is language central to intercultural communication?
Language is the core element of intercultural communication. It influences how people from different cultural backgrounds interact and view each other.
What are phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax, & pragmatics? How is each important in understanding language systems and studying intercultural communication?
Delivery- Accent & Phonology
(Phonology is the study of sounds and sound systems in a language)
(Morphology deals with the words in a language)
(Syntax: the relationship of the word to one another)
(Semantics: the study of what words mean)
(Pragmatics: how context contributes to meaning)
What are some ways that language can vary (e.g. idioms, delivery, prosody, etc)? What factors influence these differences? How do these variations affect communication?
Describe the five translation problems that can occur based on the above differences.
- Lack of vocab. equivalence
- Lac of idiomatic equivalence
- Lack of grammatical syntax
- Lack of experimental equivalence
- Lack of conceptual equivalence
What are the sapir-wharf hypothesis and cultural relativity? How is understanding cultural relativity important to engaging in intercultural communication?
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis – (Language determines thinking)
Linguistic Relativity – (Language shapes our ideas & thinking)
Describe convergence. Describe divergence. When does each occur? What is the purpose of engaging in each? How are they tied to intercultural communication?
Convergence: Accommodate/ match other speakers; increases solidarity
Divergence: (mostly a power dynamic to enhance identity); Avoid accommodating others; express identity
What is code-switching? When does it occur? Why? Give an example.
Code switching – Switching from one language system to another
It happens when you are approached and are communicating with a different person using a different language system.
