The World of Words

1. The World of Words “The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” Ludwig Wittgenstein

2. Symbolic Nature of Language Words are symbols: • Arbitrary-no intrinsic connection to what they symbolize • Meanings change over time • Different meanings with same word in other culture • Society/Social group use in particular way

3. Symbols • Symbols are ambiguous • Meaning is not always clear • No guarantee people will agree on meanings • Can lead to confusion

4. Symbols • Symbols are abstract: • Not concrete, not tangible • Not the things they represent • The more abstract, the more confusion

5. Characteristics of the Verbal Code • Verbal codes consist of discrete, separable units • Words & sounds can be modified, combined in unique ways, transmitted singly or in combo; stored & retrieved • Language encourages us to create new realities • Talk about absent, nonexistent things; words do not need to have referents in the physical world • Allows creativity & deception

6. Verbal Code cont. • Language gives us the ability to think in new & more complex ways • Allows for development of complex philosophical & mathematical systems • Enhances ability to think rationally & logically • Verbal codes are self-reflexive • Allows us to talk about the way we talk • Modify when it doesn’t work

7. Functions of Language • Used to conquer the silent & unknown • Allows us to express & control emotion • Reveals or camouflages our thoughts & motives • Permits us to make & avoid contact

8. Functions cont. 5. Enables us to assert individual/social identity 6. Used to give or seek information 7. Allows us to control & be controlled-language is power 8. Used to monitor the process of communication

9. 3 Levels of Meaning:Word, Sentence, Speech Act • Semantic Meaning: Language at the level of the word • Two kinds of word meanings: • Denotative-public, conventional meaning, dictionary • Belongs to the language system itself • Connotative-private, sometimes emotionally charged • Attached to words through experience & association • Baseball example • Denotative meaning • Connotative meaning

10. Semantic meaning cont. • Importance of semantic competence • Need appropriate vocab • Group membership is associated w/ access to special words, ie., jargon • Sensitivity to connotations

11. Syntactic Meaning • Syntactic: the study of the process by which words are combined & ordered into grammatical sequences • Order has meaning-it’s important to be able to order words appropriately. • “Important it’s words appropriately order to be to able” • Context usually makes its meaning clear • “No, not starboard, you fool! Port!” vs. “Please don’t drop that bottle of priceless vintage port.” • “The ship sails.” vs. “Ship the sails.” • “Sam wants to marry Claudine.” vs. Claudine wants to marry Sam.”

12. Syntactic meaning cont. • Syntactic competence: • Strict rules govern sentence form • Thought to be a mark of social & economic status • Indication of intellectual ability • Product of social learning • Believe that people who use “incorrect grammar” are too “dumb” or “lazy” to use language the “right way” • Use of incorrect sentence forms shows solidarity

13. Pragmatic Meaning • Pragmatic: language at the level of the speech act-investigates language as it is used in actual interaction • Speech acts • Promising, questioning, threatening, praising, declaring, warning, requesting, etc. • How do we know what speech acts mean? • Coordinated management of meaning – CMM-we follow rules that tell us how to understand & produce speech acts

14. Pragmatic meaning cont. • Two kinds of rules in CMM theory: • Constitutive Rules-tell us how to recognize speech acts • Regulative Rules-identify, in a given context, the speech acts that are appropriate & inappropriate • “You look terrible today” In order to interpret the speaker’s intended act, consult constitutive rules-to pick right rule, look at context. If uttered by physician, decide it is a diagnosis If uttered by a friend joking around, the first move in teasing and joking around If uttered by a subordinate who dislikes you, it is likely a challenge to your authority

15. Pragmatic meaning cont. • In order to respond to any comment, consult a regulative rule: what speech acts are appropriated given your goals & your understanding of the context Your regulative rule will tell you not to insult the doctor or assert your authority-”You think I look bad”, “I’ll see you in my office in half hour” May be appropriate for joking & if your authority is questioned Rule for medical episode: given this context & desire to get advice, proper & polite-”What treatment do you suggest?”

16. Pragmatic speech act cont. • Importance of competence: • Avoid embarrassment • Identify contextual levels accurately • Many interpersonal problems result from differences in pragmatics

17. Punctuation Shapes Meaning • Defines beginning & endings of interactions • Communication is punctuated by cause/affect • Demand/Withdrawal pattern

18. Symbolic activities • Notice how language: • Shapes perception • Totalizes • Affects relationships • Negative language heightens awareness of what another doesn’t like • Focusing on good virtues creates greater tolerance of imperfections, etc.

19. Language Evaluates • We use language to describe other in evaluative terms-reflects our vales & views (that package we all walk around with & rely on) • Loaded & degrading language • Pay attention to what terms bother others • Speak up non-confrontationally about terms bother you • Hate speech

20. Speech Communities • People share norms about how to use talk & what purposes it serves • Gender differences • Females: discuss personal, domestic subjects, relationship issues, family, health, reproductive matters & sex/sexuality, weight, food, clothing, men, other women, gossip about close friends & family (no more derogatory than men’s) • Males: discuss music, current events, sports, business & other men, sex & sexuality • Both sexes: perception that the other sex discusses “trivial” topics

21. More on gender • Reasons for communicating • Dominant cultures of North America-language is used to build & maintain relationships • Common goal-friendly, showing interest in other person • Females-involve feelings, relationships, personal problems-talk is the essence of relationships-most common theme is empathy-a kind of contact needed- women spend proportionately more time to maintain relationships in marriages • Males-make conversations fun, joking, good-natured teasing, something men like

22. More on gender • Conversational style