Lesson Objectives
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The Power of Language
Symbols, Labels and Meaning
Dynamic Nature of Symbols and Meaning
Rules that Guide Communication
Punctuation and Meaning
Verbal Communication
1
Symbols and Meaning
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Language (words) in the human world
Features of Symbols
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Arbitrary
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Ambiguous
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No intrinsic connection; no natural relationship
Commonly shared & used in a society; meaning changing over
time
No precise, clear-cut meanings; within a range of meaning but
with degrees of uncertainty
Specific to contexts, individual experience
Abstract
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Not concrete or tangible
Various abstractness (degrees away from external, objective
phenomenon)
Verbal Communication
2
Symbols and Meaning
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Ladder of Abstraction (Korzybski & Hayakawa)
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Steps away from observed phenomenon
See Figure 4.1 (page 85)
Overgeneralization
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General language to describe groups of people
Perceptions (recall) consistent with labels used
Labels predispose selective perception
Verbal Communication
3
Principles of Using Symbols
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Interpretation creates meaning
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Communication is guided by rules
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Active process of making sense of experience
Process of constructing meaning
Rule learning through socialization
Regulative rules: specify when, how, where…
Constitutive rules: define meaning
Punctuation affects meaning
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Mark a flow into meaning units
Determine initiation, interaction, invitation,
participation…
Demand-withdraw pattern
Verbal Communication
4
Symbolic Abilities
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Symbols define phenomena
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Symbols evaluate phenomena
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Totalizing: one label represents a person totally;
ignoring other aspects
Totalizing: spotlighting an aspect; stereotyping:
describing with group characteristics
Symbols are loaded with ‘value’
Loaded language
Symbols organize experiences
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Categories that we place people
Verbal Communication
5
Symbolic Abilities (2)
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Symbols allow hypothetical thinking
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Visions of the future
Symbols allow self-reflection
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I : spontaneous, creative self
Me: socially conscious self
佛洛依德︰
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id本我、ego自我、superego超我
Verbal Communication
6
Symbolic Abilities (3)
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Symbols define relationships & interaction
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Three dimensions of relationship-level
meaning
Responsiveness: question & statements (responses,
feedback)
 Liking: When we say “I care about you.”
 Power: Establishing control
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Verbal Communication
7
Guidelines for Verbal Comm.
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Strive for accuracy and clarity
Be conscious of levels of abstraction
Qualify language
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Avoid overgeneralization
Avoid static evaluation: She ‘is’ selfish
Index verbal symbols: time & circumstances
marked
Own your feelings and thoughts: claim feelings
but not blame others for that
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You vs. I language (p. 101) (Note: Chinese cultural &
syntax differences)
Verbal Communication
8