Introduction to Communication 1.3

Ms. Hargen

Speech I

Denotation

the dictionary meaning of a word

Selections from the New Oxford American Dictionary:

quarter |ˈkwôrtər|

noun1 each of four equal or corresponding parts into which something is or can be divided: she cut each apple into quarters | a page and a quarter | a quarter of a mile.

• a coin representing 25 cents, one fourth of a US or Canadian dollar.

• (in various sports) each of four equal periods into which a game is divided.

Connotation

hidden meaning of a word; includes the often

powerful feelings and associations the word

arouses; may depend on experiences

Positive: handsome, natural, healthyNegative: rat, pain, decay, foulNeutral: table, number, paragraph, exterior

Doglove, warmth, security

fear, hostility

(Valentine Dog.) (Angry Dog.)

Identifying Positive and Negative Connotations

• Watch the three following commercials. Using the columns provided, write the words that the advertisers have used to arouse the audience’s positive feelings towards the products or services. In the other list, note any words the advertisers have used to arouse their listener’s negative feelings toward the competitors’ products or services or toward consequences that may follow from a listener’s failure to use whatever the advertisers are promoting.

• OxiClean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PU8ZxQj7eE• Mac vs. PC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5Yt30wrbl4• Subway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxqRg2Nohso

Adapting Language to Specific Situations

• Speakers adapt their language to fit the situation, or setting.

• How would the way you speak to a person who interviews you for a job differ from the way you would speak to friends at a basketball game?

Standard American English

language that follows the rules and guidelines in grammar and

composition books; allows people from many regions to

communicate with one another

In formal situations you would use standard American

English.(Columbia Guide.)

Sublanguagea subsystem of an established language; it includes jargon,

slang, and dialectIn informal situations — or

specialized in the case of jargon —you might relax the rules and

conventions, incorporating types of sublanguage.

(Jargon.)

Jargon

specialized vocabulary that is understood by people in a particular

group or field

Football Jargon: AudibleBlitzDime BackFalse StartHail MaryHorse CollarRed Zone

TV Jargon: Barrel DistortionC-MountEye-lineGafferGripRGBZoom Ratio

Slangrecently coined words, or older words used in new ways; limited to a time

period, and starts with one group and spreads

Adorbs

Dialect

a regional or cultural variety of language

differing from Standard American English in

pronunciation, grammar, or word choice

(Dialect.)

Analyzing Slang (15 min)

• Working in a small group, draw up a list of ten slang expressions that you hear at school or elsewhere.

How to Use Language to Present the Best Possible You

1. Use words carefully.2. Understand the connotation of words.3. Use language that is appropriate to the

communication setting.4. Improve your language.

Homework

Ask your parents, guardians, and/or grandparents about the slang they used when they were young. In your communication journal you will:• List the person/people you spoke to• List the slang terms they used (put the slang term with the person who used

it).

You need at least three slang terms from the past.

Photographs

Angry Dog. Digital image. PetBucket.com. Web. 14 July 2106. <http://www.petbucket.com/blog/63108/what-to-do-if-your-dog-bites-another- dog.html>

Columbia Guide. Digital image. Amazon. Web. 14 July 2016. <http://www.amazon.in/Columbia-Guide-Standard-American-English/dp/0231069898>

Dialect. Digital image. Business Insider. Web. 14 July 2016. <http://www.businessinsider.com/american-regional-dialects-expressions-2013-12>

Jargon. Digital image. 603 Copywriting. Web 14 July 2016. <http://www.603copywriting.co.uk/is-jargon-ruining-your-message/>

Valentine Dog. Digital image. The Huffington Post. Web. 14 July 2016. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennifer-mcgaha/valentine-smalentine-14-dog- valentines-day_b_6640388.html>