A collection of symbols governed by rules and used to convey messages between individuals p. 103
Symbolic
Subjective
Rule Governed
Arbitary constructions that represent a communicators thoughts p. 103
Language is Subjective
Demonstrates an interact relationship between a word (symbol) and what it represents (referent)
The human mind is what bridges this gap
Ogden & Richard's "Triangle of Meaning"
Language is rule governed
Phonological rules -
Syntactic rules - refers to how symbols are arranged
Semantic rules - refers to what symbols mean
Pragmatic rules - helps us interpret verbal communications within a given context
Governs house sounds are combined to form words p.104
ex. A farm can produce produce
Governs the way symbols can be arranged p. 104
ex. r u home?
Refers to how symbols are arranged
Governs the meanings of statements p. 105
ex. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs
Refers to what symbols mean
Tells what uses and interpretations of the message are appropriate in a given context p. 105
Language shapes attitudes
Naming & Identity - what's in a name
Credibility -
Status -
Sexism & Racism -
Research: people with non-normative names suffered everything from psychological and emotional disturbance to failure in college
Includes words, phrases, and expressions that unnecessarily differentiate between females and males and exclude trivilize, or diminish either sex
Ways to eliminate sexist language
• Eliminate six specific terms or substitute neutral terms
• Mark six clearly -- to heighten awareness whether the reference is to a female or male
Ex. Manhood : replace by adult hood
Mankind: replaced by humanity, human beings, people
Manpower: replace by human power, workers, and workforce
Reflects a worldview the classifieds members of one racial group as superior and others as inferior
Ways to eliminate racist language
• Eliminate the offensive labels and slurs
• Eliminate "innocent" use of racist language that are not meant to be taken seriously but maintain solidarity
Language that lacks specificity or does not refer to observable behavior and other sensory data page 118
The range of more to less abstract terms describing an event page 118
An account that refers only to observable phenomena page 118
Accommodating one speaking style to another person who usually is desirable or has higher status page 112
A linguistic strategy in which speakers emphasize differences between their communicative style and others in order to create distance page 113
Language that conveys the centers attitude rather than simply offering an objective description page 121
Words that have more than one dictionary definition page 114
A vague statement that can be interpreted in more than one way page 123
A pleasant sounding term used in place of a more direct but less pleasant one page 121
A statement that can be verified as being true or false page 120
In conclusion arrived at from an interpretation of evidence page 120
The specialized vocabulary that is used as a kind of shorthand by people with common background and experience page 116
A collection of symbols governed by rules and used to convey messages between individuals page 103
Linguistic intergroup bias
The tendency to label people and behaviors in terms that reflect there in-group or out-group status page 113
A moderate form a linguist stick determinism that argues that language exerts a strong influence on the perception of the people who speak it page 112
A statement based on the speakers believe page 120
Linguistic rules governing how sounds are combined to form words page 104
Rules that govern how people use language and every day interaction page 105
Words that game their meaning by comparison page 115
Rules that govern the meaning of language as opposed to its structure page 105
The social orientation that governs behavior in contrast to a person's biological gender page 127
Language used by a group of people whose members belong to a similar coculture or other group page 115
Arbitrary constructions that represent a communicator's thoughts Page 103
Rules that govern the way in which symbols can be arranged as opposed to the meanings of those symbols page 104