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Naming Practices. Naming: Symbolic communication in everyday life Are we shaped by our names? http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/. Vietnam War Memorial (D.C.). Oklahoma City Memorial. 9/11 Memorial. Functions of language. To control To inform To Express Feelings To Express Creativity
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Naming Practices • Naming: Symbolic communication in everyday life Are we shaped by our names? http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/
Functions of language • To control • To inform • To Express Feelings • To Express Creativity • Ritual
Some word problems • Abstract words (‘unlikely”, “cheap”, “Long”) • Euphemisms (‘collateral damage’) • Equivocation—deliberately vague • Jargon (technical) • Slang (informal, nonstandard) • Hate speech (often uncivil)
Labels and Biased Language Sexist Racial/ethnic Politically correct language Marked vs. Unmarked terms (i.e. “male nurse”, “adopted child” “gay friend”)
Language in Context • Relational (ex: label for significant other?) • Situational (high vs. low language) • Cultural (language influences worldview) • Code-switching/style switching (accommodation)
Does language constrain thought? Can different cultures with different words think different things? Savoir-faire, Schadenfreude, amae Hopi=no difference between noun/verb Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis: language both shapes and is impacted by culture
Gender & Language • Is this == True? • Problems? • “Report talk vs. “Rapport talk”
Gender Differences in Conversations • Reasons for talk • Women=“need” to talk, social support • Men=accomplish tasks, advice, info • Style differences • Women=questioning, accommodating, expressive. Use Intensifiers and Qualifiers/tag questions more • Men=interrupt more, assertive,