Language
Just as an automobile is used for
transportation purposes, language is
the vehicle by which humans
communicate.
Introduction and Overview
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Definitions
Components
Language is rule-governed
Language is powerful
Introduction & Overview, cont.
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Troublesome language
Gender and language
Culture and language
Language and worldview
Definitions
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“The body of words and the system for
their use in communicating that are
common to the same people group
(Verderber, 1999).”
“The use by human beings of voice
sounds, or written symbols that
represent these sounds, in a pattern to
express meaning (A.H.D., 1985).”
Definitions, cont.
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“A collection of symbols governed by
rules and used to convey messages
between individuals (Adler & Rodman,
2003, p. 72)”
Components of Language
Language is symbolic
“Arbitrary constructions that represent a
communicators thoughts.”
1.
“A rose by any other name would smell
just as sweet.”
Components, cont.
2. Meaning of language is not in words,
but in people.
Language is rule-governed
1.
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4.
Phonological rules: Govern how words
sound when pronounced
Syntactic rules: Concerned with the
structure of language
Semantic rules: Deals with the
meaning of specific works
Pragmatic rules: How one uses
language
Connotative vs. Denotative
Denotative: The word’s direct, explicit
dictionary definition
Example: The word gay
 Connotative meaning: The thoughts
and emotions associated with a word
(taken from Gass & Seiter, 2003)
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Language is Powerful
1. Language shapes attitudes
It can be used to either promote or
demote.
Ex. Sexist and racist language
Language is Powerful, cont.
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Language reflects attitudes
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Language has innate power
Affiliation
Attraction and Interest
Responsibility
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“You” vs. “I” in conflict resolutions
Troublesome Language
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Equivocal language: words that have more
than one correct definition
Relative words: words that gain meaning by
comparison
Slang: used by a group of people whose
members belong to a similar co-group
Jargon: specialized vocabulary that functions
as a shorthand by people of a common
background
Disruptive Language
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Fact vs. Opinion
Fact vs. Inference (conclusions arrived
from interpreting evidence)
Emotive language: words that
announce a speakers attitudes toward
something
Evasive Language
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Euphemism: pleasant term substituted
for an unpleasant one
Equivocation: a deliberately vague
statement that can be inferred more
than one way
Profanity and Vulgarity
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Social implications
rude, offensive
 Use of profanity often indicates a lack
of intelligence and a deficiency in
vocabulary
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Gender and Language
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Content (Men and women talk about
different topics)
Reasons for communicating
Culture and Language
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Low-context culture: “Uses language
primarily to express thoughts feelings
and ideas as clearly and logically as
possible.” (U.S., Canada)
High-context culture: “Values language
as a way to maintain social harmony.”
(Asian and Middle Eastern countries)
Language and Worldview
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Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis:
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Linguistic determinism: “The world view of
a culture is shaped by the language its
members speak.”
Linguistic relativity: “If language
determines thought, then speakers of a
different languages will experience the
world differently.”
Sapir-Whorf, cont.
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This hypothesis says that English
speakers would not see the world in the
same manner as a Hopi American
Indian would.