Chapter 5, part 2

Verbal Communication

The Language Environment

Language is often changed by the environment in which communication happens

People, Purposes, and Rules

Language environment is made up of four elements:

PeoplePurposeRules of communication to meet goalType of talk used

People, Purposes, and Rules

Ritual language – this type of language takes place where a certain type of language or response is expected of you; greetings are highly ritualized

Rituals are determined by environment and culture

Rituals are learned at a young age and used as you grow; they can change

(In)Appropriate Language

Racial and ethnic slurs are notLanguage that insults others’

appearance or behaviorSwearing or obscene languageAggressive language intended to control

others

(In) Appropriate Language

Euphemism – language you use to substitute for offensive or unpleasant words; “passed away,” “went to a better place” etc

Doublespeak – words deliberately constructed for political purposes to create a desired attitude; “Axis of Evil”

Specialization

Most jobs and careers have specialized language that outsiders would not often understand - jargon

Age groups also often have specialized language such as slang

Your language and understanding of the language changes as you change roles or your status

Style, Roles, and Group Memberships

Your language is determined by your past experiences, culture, and upbringing

Style – the result of the way you select and arrange language; sometimes we equate style more than the words being said with speaker competence amd personality

Gender and Language

Men and women vary in speaking styleRapport-talk – often associated with

women; this is designed to create or lead to intimacy and establish relationships

Report-talk – often associated with men; goal is to maintain status, demonstrate knowledge and skills

Powerful Talk

Talk that quickly and directly gets to the point

This is often found to be more credible and persuasive

Powerful language does not use qualifiers or hedges (I guess, maybe) that are seen as weak

Dialect

The language of a specific community or part of the country

Dialect is often stereotyped and is often associated with intelligence, career, attractiveness, personality, etc

Should you try to “get rid of” your regional dialect if you move away from the location?

Speaking and Writing

Verbal language is accompanied by paralanguage – vocal cues, inflection, nonverbals

Written language do not contain paralanguage so it is often more difficult to get your emotion across; may lead to miscommunication; does not take feedback into account

What Metamessages are You Sending

Metamessage - the meaning APART from the actual words you use; subtext

Some metamessages may be understood by certain cultures or age groups but not others and this is sometimes deliberate

Ethics

Language has to be chosen very carefully

Language choices can influence other peoples’ perceptions of themselves

The Internet and Verbal Communication

Four influences the internet has had on language

1. Effect of email on language – framing: the visual of the message; how it is put together on the page

2. The impermanence of the Web; think of a blog, Wikipedia, etc

The Internet and Verbal Communication

3. Chat rooms; getting many messages from many people in many place at one time

4. Formality of writing and language usage