This chapter discusses verbal communication and language. It describes how language is used to think and communicate experiences through a system of symbols. It identifies the five functional communication competencies of using language to control, share information, express feelings, be creative, and manage conversations. The chapter also addresses problems that can occur with language abstraction, meaning, labeling, and biased terms. Finally, it examines how language reflects and determines the relational, situational, cultural, and mediated contexts of communication.

1. Chapter 4
Verbal
Communication

2. • Describe the power of language—the
system of symbols we use to think
about and communicate our
experiences and feelings
• Identify the ways language works to
help people communicate—the five
functional communication
competencies
Chapter Outcomes

3. Chapter Outcomes
(cont.)
• Label communication problems
with language and how to address
them
• Describe how language reflects,
builds on, and determines context

4. The system of symbols
(words) that we use to
think about and
communicate
experiences and
feelings
Language

5. • Language is symbolic.
• Words have multiple meanings.
– Denotative: accepted definition
– Connotative: emotional or attitudinal
response
• Thought informs language and vice
versa.
– Cognitive language: specific symbols
used to describe ideas, situations, and so
on
The Nature of
Language

6. • Language is ruled by a system of
rules (grammar).
– Phonological rules: pronunciation
– Syntactic rules: word placement in a
sentence
• Language is bound by context.
– Competent communication means
understanding a situation.
The Nature of
Language (cont.)

7. • Communication
acquisition involves:
– Learning words of a
language
– Using the words
appropriately and
effectively in the
context of the situation
The Functions of
Language

8. Functional
Communication
Competencies
• Using language as a means of control to
influence oneself, others, environment
• Using language to share information,
which involves:
– Questioning
– Describing
– Reinforcing
– Withholding

9. Functional
Communication
Competencies (cont.)
• Using language to express feelings
appropriately and effectively
• Using language to express creativity
– Imagining: ability to think, play, and be
creative in communication
• Using language as a form of ritual
– Ritualizing: learning the rules for
managing conversations and relationships

10. Problems with
Language
• Abstraction and Meaning
– High- and low-level abstractions
(abstraction ladder)
– Evasion: avoiding giving details
– Equivocation: using unclear words
– Euphemism: using inoffensive words
– Slang: using informal, nonstandard words
– Jargon: using technical language

11. Problems with
Language (cont.)
• The Abstraction Ladder

12. Problems with
Language (cont.)
• Situation and Meaning
– Semantics: meanings words have for
people based on relationships between
symbols, objects, people, and concepts
– Pragmatics: ability to use cultural
symbol systems appropriately
• Limits of Labeling
– Accepting labels may overlook
individual differences.

13. The Dangers of Biased
Language (cont.)
• Biased language openly excludes or
implies something negative about certain
groups.
• Politically correct language uses
neutral terms in place of biased language.
– May avoid real issues in favor of politeness
– Allows people to be both sensitive and
accurate when choosing words

14. The Dangers of Biased
Language (cont.)
• Profanity: insulting, rude, vulgar, or
disrespectful words or expressions
– Some may see offensive words as reasonably
hostile, based on the situational context.
• Civility: social norm for appropriate
behavior
– Follow guidelines for civil language.

15. Guidelines for More
Civil Language
• Use no words rather than offensive ones.
• Use words appropriate to your specific
listener.
• Choose temperate, accurate words over
inflammatory ones when commenting on
ideas, issues, or persons.
• Use objective, respectful, nondiscriminatory
language.
• Use clean language at all times when at
work.

16. Language in Context
• Language reflects context
(Have a variety of speech repertoires)
• Language builds on context
(Adjust language to situation)
• Language determines context
(Choose formal / informal language)

17. Language in Context
(cont.)
• The Relational Context:
– Using language and levels of
abstraction to create / reflect a
relationship

18. Language in Context
(cont.)
• The Situational Context:
– High language: formal, polite, or
“mainstream” language
– Low language: informal, casual
language for more comfortable
environments
• Includes slang
– Sex and gender are part of situational
context.

19. Language in Context
(cont.)
• The Cultural Context:
– Culture, Words, and Thought
• Sapir-Whorf hypothesis: A culture’s
words influence thinking.
• Linguistic determinism: Language
influences how we see the world.
• Linguistic relativity: Speakers of
different languages have different views of
the world.

20. Language in Context
(cont.)
• The Cultural Context (cont.)
– Gender and language affect
communication.
• Males: use interruptions
• Females: use intensifiers, qualifiers,
hedges, disclaimers, tag questions
• Both use resistance messages differently.

21. Language in Context
(cont.)
• The Cultural Context (cont.)
– Geography and language affect
communication and understanding of
the world.
– Accommodation means adapting to
another person.
• Code switching
• Style switching

22. Language in Context
(cont.)
• Mediated contexts
– Communication via technology requires
strong, clear language.
• Powerful or intense language may receive
more attention.
– English has become the language of the
Internet and mass media.
– Acronyms and emoticons can enhance,
or hinder, communication.