Unspoken meaning lecture 1

Question 1

What strategies do we use to generate unspoken meaning?

Answer 1

• Non-verbal communication
• Ambiguity
• Contextual relevance

Question 2

Define Non-verbal communication

Answer 2

Communication without the need for/use of words

Question 3

How much of conversational meaning is accounted for by non-verbal communication?

Answer 3

65%

Question 4

Define ambiguity

Answer 4

A word, phrase, or statement which contains more than one meaning

Question 5

What is contextual relevance?

Answer 5

Where the context of the communication influences the meaning of what you are saying

Question 6

What does non-verbal communication do?

Answer 6

Plays a vital role in determining meaning in discourse

Question 7

Define discourse

Answer 7

Written or spoken communication

Question 8

What are some factors than can influence meaning?

Answer 8

• Who is involved
• Location
• What are they doing
• Relationship of the people
• Age, gender etc.
• Objects present

Question 9

Define physiological reactions and exemplify

Answer 9

A physical response to a stimulus, eg smiling or furrowed brows

Question 10

What did Birdwhistell say about gestures and when?

Answer 10

‘there is no body motion or gesture that can be regarded as a universal symbol’

1970

Question 11

What influences gesture?

Answer 11

Cultures and traditions

Question 12

What are the two types of symbolic gesture and who defined them and when?

Answer 12

Morris et al 1979

• Illustrators
• Emblems

Question 13

Define Ilustrators

Answer 13

Actions which accompany verbal symbols and serve to illustrate them

Question 14

Define emblems

Answer 14

Replace speech and can act as substitutes for it

Question 15

Give an example of an illustrative gesture and emblem

Answer 15

Illustrative: Using hands to add emphasis to what you are saying

Emblem: Shaking your hand as if you’ve touched a hot object to signify that a woman was attractive

Question 16

Define proxemics

Answer 16

Humankind’s ‘perception and use of space’ Hall 1963

Question 17

How can proxemics vary from culture to culture?

Answer 17

In non-contact cultures invasion of personal space would be seen as a threatening act whereas in a contact culture it may be seen as affectionate

Question 18

Why must proxemics be taught alongside languages?

Answer 18

In order to successfully communicate in a culture, you must adhere to their non-verbal systems and their language

Question 19

What are the 4 types of proxemics when sitting at a table?

Answer 19

Directly opposite - competitive

Diagonally opposite - co-active

Side by side - Modified co-operative

Different sides of table but side by side - co-operative conversation

Question 20

How do we teach proxemics?

Answer 20

Questioning, observation and roleplay

Question 21

How does a listener decode a message successfully?

Answer 21

By knowing the code and the context

Question 22

Define inference

Answer 22

Your understanding of what someone has said

Question 23

Define implicature

Answer 23

Refers to what is suggested in an utterance, even though it’s not expressed nor strictly implied

Question 24

Define Grice’s co-operative principle (stages and when?)

Answer 24

Being expected to:

• Make your contribution as it is required
• Answering the question asked or following the topic
• Often using implicature rather than being direct

1975

Question 25

What are the two factors that influence inference?

Answer 25

Presupposition -

Question 26

Define entailment

Answer 26

The logical statements that follow on from the content of the utterance

Question 27

Define presupposition

Answer 27

The background sociocultural knowledge of the hearer

Question 28

Problems with unspoken meaning

Answer 28

• Indirectness (not saying what we mean)

- Mis-interpretation