Verbal Communication

Question 1

Verbal Language

Answer 1

a symbol system composed of words

Question 2

Functions of Words (6)

Answer 2

1. Stand for/refer to things in the world
2. Perform actions
3. Evoke emotions
4. Reduce uncertainty
5. Express complex ideas
6. Promotes human contact

Question 3

Function 1: Stand for/refer to things in the world

Answer 3

-arbitrary symbols used by a culture to express things
-onomatopoeias are exceptions (ex: book, crash), different languages have different onomatopoeias
-there are problems with this function

Question 4

Problems with the functions of words standing for/referring to things in the world (7)

Answer 4

(BAR LESS)
1. Bypassing
2. Abstraction
3. Relative Language
4. Language is limited vs. Unlimited Reality
5. Euphemism
6. Static Evaluation
7. Subcultural Differences in the use of language

Question 5

Bypassing

Answer 5

Bypassing: the same word can mean different things or different words can mean the same thing
-equivocation
Ex: “Police begin campaign to run down jaywalkers” news headline

Question 6

Equivocation (part of bypassing)

Answer 6

words with more than one commonly accepted definition

Question 7

Abstraction

Answer 7

Abstraction: generalizations of similarities between things and people
-giving minimal information would be abstract
-being overly abstract can lead to confusion, to avoid problems of abstraction you should be specific
-includes stereotypes
-there is a ladder of abstraction (answering with less to more information)
Ex: When asked “Where are you studying communication?”, an overly abstract answer would be “In a room”, whereas “in a lecture hall at UCLA” would be more specific

Question 8

Euphemism

Answer 8

Euphemism: pleasant term substituted for a blunt one in order to soften information
-the challenge is to be as kind as possible without sacrificing the integrity or accuracy of the message
Ex: “senior citizens” vs “old people”, “he passed” instead of “he died”

Question 9

Relative Language

Answer 9

Relative language: words that gain meaning by comparison
-without comparison, there could be confusion
- Ex: “I go to a small college compared to Ohio State.” To just say a “small college” would be subjective

Question 10

Static Evaluation

Answer 10

static evaluation: using words that make reality seem more concrete and static than it actually is
-to avoid this problem, it is best to attach a time
- Saying “John is boring” creates a static image of John as a boring person when he actually isn’t. Instead, it would be better to say “John was boring at lunch yesterday.”

Question 11

Language is limited vs. unlimited reality

Answer 11

-there are more distinctions in reality than words available
- the 1 million words in the English language must be used to express billions of things

Question 12

Subcultural Differences in the Use of Language

Answer 12

-can be different subcultures within the same language, regional differences
-what’s popular in a subculture can spread, but it is a problem when it doesn’t because it reduces clarity between people from different regions
Ex: “I’m feeling puny” in Atlanta means “I’m not feeling well.”

Question 13

Words can perform actions

Answer 13

-words can be an expression of emotions
-Ex: cursing can be a part of anger, singing can be a part of happiness
-Ex: Saying “I do” in a marriage ceremony performs the act of officially uniting people into marriage

Question 14

Evoke Emotions

Answer 14

Ex: racial slurs can make you upset
Ex: emotional response to hearing “I love you”

Question 15

Reduce Uncertainty

Answer 15

used to clarify

Question 16

Express complex ideas

Answer 16

-key for solving problems and exploring relationships
-to express opinions and judgments

Question 17

Promotes human contact

Answer 17

brings people together