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Chapter 3
Language and
Communication
Chapter Objectives
• Understand the power of language
• Identify the five functional
competencies
• Recognize and address
communication problems
• Understand that language reflects,
builds on and determines context
Language
The system of
symbols (words)
that we use to think
about and
communicate
experiences and
feelings
The Nature of Language
• Language is symbolic
• Words have multiple meanings
– Denotative meanings
– Connotative meanings
• Thought informs language and
vice versa (cognitive language)
The Nature of Language
• Language is ruled by grammar
– Phonological rules
– Syntactic rules
• Language is bound by context
The Functions of Language
• Communication
acquisition
– Learn words of a
language
– Learn to use words
appropriately and
effectively in the
context of the
situation
Functional Communication
Competencies
• Using language as a means of
control
• Using language to share information
– Questioning
– Describing
– Reinforcing
– Withholding
Functional Communication
Competencies
• Using language to express feelings
• Using language to express creativity
• Using language as a form of ritual
Problems with Language
• Abstraction and meaning
– High- and Low-level abstractions
– Evasion
– Equivocation
– Euphemism
– Slang/Jargon
Problems with Language
• Situation and meaning
– Semantics
– Pragmatics
• Limits of Labeling
Problems with Language
• Confusing facts, opinions, and
inferences
– Fact: something true and verifiable
– Opinion: personal evaluations
– Inferences: conclusions about
what we observe
The Dangers of Biased
Language
• Biased language openly
excludes or implies something
negative about certain groups.
• Political correctness may not be
the solution as it can focus
attention on rhetorical
arguments.
Language in Context
• Language reflects context
(Have a variety of speech
repertoires)
• Language builds on context
(Adjust language to situation)
• Language determines context
(Choose formal / informal language)
Language in Context
• The relational context
• The situational context
– High language: formal, polite, or
“mainstream” language
– Low language: easy going
language for more comfortable
environments
Language in Context
• The cultural context
– Culture, words, and thought
• Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
• Linguistic determinism/relativity
– High and Low Context cultures
Language in Context
• The cultural context (cont.)
– Gender and language
• Interruptions
• Qualifiers, hedges, disclaimers
• Tag Questions
• Resistance Messages
– Geography and language
– Accommodation
Language in Context
• Technology as Context
– When using technology, you must
use strong, clear language to make
up for lack of nonverbal cues
– English has become the language
of technology
– Acronyms and emoticons can
enhance communication