Language is a rule-governed system of symbols used by speech communities to create meaning through phonetic, semantic, and syntactic rules. Phonetic rules govern the sounds of a language through phonemes, articulation, pronunciation, and dialects. Semantic rules determine word meanings through denotation, semantic features, connotation, metaphor, slang, and jargon. Perception is influenced by perceptual sets, stereotypes, personal construct theory, and physical, psychological, social, and cultural factors.

1. Chapter 6 Language & Perception

2. Language: ~A rule-governed system of verbal and nonverbal symbols used by members of a speech community to create meaning. *Phonetic Rules *Semantic Rules *Syntactic Rules

3. Speech Communities

4. Phonetic Rules: The Sounds of Language Phonemes ~ the sounds that make up a language. Articulation ~ the production of the distinctive sounds of a language. Pronunciation ~ how we actually make sounds and say words as we speak. Dialects

5. Semantic Rules: Words and Meanings Denotative Meaning : the specific meaning of a word. Semantic Features : mental categories of word meanings. Connotative Meanings : the emotional level of the meaning of the word.

6. Semantic Rules: Words and Meanings Metaphor : used to make a comparison between two things Slang : specialized expressions that are unique to a group. Jargon : a set of expressions that are understood by members of a certain group.

7. Perceptual Set ~ a previously determined view of an object or an event based on past experiences. Stereotype: a way of grouping a whole set of people or events and then generalizing about the group as a whole.

8. Personal Construct Theory ~ A means of assigning meaning to a situation by perceiving how it is similar to a previous situation.

9. Understanding Perceptual Differences Understand Physical & Physiological Factors Psychological States Also Affect Perception Social and Cultural Background Influence Perception

10. ~The average person speaks 125-150 words per minute~