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.