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11 views

CP Language PP (2)

Uploaded by

acj018
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Verbal Communication

5
LANGUAGE

Valenzano III, J. M., Broeckelman-Post, M. A., & Sahlstein Parcell, E. M. (2016).


Communication Pathways. Southlake, TX: Fountainhead.
Discussion Question

• Why is it important of us
to understand the nature
of language?
Characteristics of language

• Arbitrary
• Ambiguous
• Abstract
• Negative
Arbitrary
• Symbols are not directly related to the things
they represent.
• “Car” has no relationship to the things we
drive around town.
• It is connected to what we think is a “car”.
• Words have generally agreed upon meaning.
– Why does the term “selfie” mean what it means
and not something else?
• They allow us to communicate with others.
Ambiguous
• Words do not have absolute meaning.
• Meaning is fuzzy in real life.
• Dictionary definitions are not always
what we “mean” when we use words.
• Words have connotations, meanings we
give to things through experiences.
• “Capitalism” vs. “Socialism”: What is the
connotation associated with each of
these terms?
Ambiguous language example
Abstract
• Language is intangible.
• We use and interpret language.
• Some words are more specific than
others.
– Athlete => Football Player => Tom Brady
(Abstract)=>=>=>=>=>=>=>=>=>(Concrete)
(Doing Well)=>=>=>=>=>=(You have an A)
Negative
• Language creates a void or separation.
• When we use a word, we are also not
using other words.
• Sometimes it’s best to explain what you
don’t mean in order to achieve
understanding.
• How would you define a “capitalism”?
How language can be negative
Discussion Question
• Think about the language you
use.
• How much of a challenge is it
for you to change it?
• Recall a time when you became
acutely aware that you needed
to "watch your language“ or
that you needed to change your
language.
– Were you successful?
Metaphoric Language (Do)
• Metaphor helps us understand through comparison.
• Similes compare through using “like” or “as”.
• Synecdoche (suh-nek-duh-kee) uses part to stand for
the whole.
– She’ learning her ABCs.
• Metonyms use tangible objects to refer to intangible
things.
– “Blood, sweat, and tears” refers to hard work.
• Archetype uses common experiences to help
describe.
– “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel” because
everyone can relate to light and dark.
Metaphoric Language cont. (Don’t
do)
• Mixed metaphors make use of two different
metaphors that do not logically fit but mean the
same thing:
– “We need to hit the bull’s-eye, or we will have to punt
this decision to later.”

• Dead: common or cliché flourishes of language that


have lost the creative element from which they
initially drew their power and now are just
accepted as everyday phrases rather than the
languages they are.
– “Time flies”
Structures of Language
• Repetition: repeating something that has already been said.
– Martin Luther King Jr. used the phrase “I have a dream” in
consecutive sentences. Repetition made his phrase memorable
for his audience.

• Alliteration: the occurrence of the same letter or sound at


the beginning of closely connected words.
– Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

• Parallelism: the use of successive verbal constructions that


correspond in grammatical form. Suggest a connection of
meaning.
– He’s an inventor, author, speaker, and influencer.
Structures of Language cont.
• Antithesis: a contrast or opposition
between two things.
– Ask not what your country can do for you, but
what you can do for your country.
• Narrative: a story of connected events
– Narrative coherence: does the story ring true
within its own world and does the content of
the story makes sense?
– Narrative fidelity: tests how well the story
reflects the values and beliefs of the audience.
Discussion Question
• Why does the structure of language
matter so much if wanting to be a
more effective or competent
communicator?

• What type of language structure


appeals to you the most and why?
Guidelines for Dialogic Language

• Use inclusive language


• Avoid profanity
• Avoid mutually understood hate speech
• Use culturally appropriate metaphors
• Use familiar language
• Be specific and concrete
• Use descriptive language
Use Inclusive Language

• One of the key components to


generating support and creating a
dialogic environment is letting the other
party know you identify with his or her
needs.
• Use “we” instead of “I,” “me,” or “you.”
– When using “I” and “me,” you create
division, whereas using “we” you create
the perception you are one of them.
Avoid Profanity

• Although often used, it does not gain


you anything, and comes with the risk of
insulting, offending, or otherwise
irritating people.

• Creates the impression that you are not


well-spoken and that you are rude.
Avoid Hate Speech

• Language that attacks a person or group


of people, based upon any category,
that indicates applications of a negative
unwarranted stereotype can also
destroy the potential for dialogue.

• Being sensitive to the audience’s


perspective is essential for dialogue.
Use Culturally Appropriate Metaphors

• Not every metaphor works for every audience.

• Metaphors are tied to experiences within a


specific culture and do not translate to those
who come from outside of that group. This
creates one of two problems in translation
that can make understanding more difficult to
achieve.
– Idiomatic equivalence
– Experiential-cultural translation
Idiomatic equivalence

• Translating the same meaning from


one language to another.
Experiential-cultural translation

• Conveying the full culture and


experiential context of a text to ensure
that the translated work resonates with
the target audience in a way that is both
culturally relevant and emotionally
impactful.
Use Familiar Language
Use Familiar Language

• Nothing damages credibility like


trying to use words with which you
or your audience are not familiar.
– Delegate vs. Mitigate
– Emolument vs. Tip
Be Specific and Concrete
Be Specific and Concrete

• One of the common errors people


make in conversations is “dancing
around the issue,” or not being clear.

• Be as specific and concrete as possible


to facilitate understanding between
yourself and your audience.
Use Concise Language
Use Descriptive,
Not Evaluative Language

• Descriptive language simply lays out


objective facts or observations without any
form of judgment. (Objective)

• Evaluative language either expressly or


implicitly provides an evaluation of those
facts or observations. (Bias)

• Internal attribution of perception vs.


External attribution of perception
Discussion Question
• When considering your audience,
whatever communication setting
that might be, are you guilty of
using:
– Bias language?
– Profanity?
– Hate speech?
– Unfamiliar language?
– Unclear language?
– Evaluative language?
Discussion Question
• Think about the relationships you
have, had, or want.
– What type of language
• Strengthened it?
• Polarized it?
• Should you use to establish
and grow it?
• Why do you hope to gain from the
relationships you want to grow?

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