Chapter 2 Foundations of Verbal Languages Language is a system of arbitrary signals such as sounds gestures or symbols used by a nation people or distinct community to communicate thoughts and feelings I Origins of Human Language A Evolution of Language 1 Language does not stay static it is constantly changing 2 Languages die out every year B Cybernetic Process the brain functions puts forth the necessary information to communicate Input taught what it is 1 2 Storage converted to memory 3 Stimulus when u c an object similar to memory u know what it is 4 Search find it In ur brain 5 Recall think about it 6 Output what u say or do to convey object or feeling A Language Explosion Theory we build communication skills from the core of language we develop early in life 1 Learns most words from environment including from father and mother 2 Will have an increased vocabulary base if he is read to often B Significant Other Theory babies are exposed to parents and a circle of others As the baby grows older this circle expands and becomes larger thus having a greater impact on the child in development 1 If we respect someone they have a greater impact on us II Learning Symbols III the Concept of Meaning A Linguistics the study of sounds structure and rules of human language 1 Language is based on a set of symbols both verbal and non verbal 2 Languages that are alphabetically based recognize the difference between vowels and consonants 3 Languages have an ordered structure such as verbs nouns and objects 4 Words in and of themselves are not inherently meaningful B Denotative Meaning direct explicit meaning fact C Connative Meaning have and implied or suggested meaning opinion D Semantics the relationship of language and meaning A Emotitive Language Employs emotional connotative words to express the feelings attitudes and emotions of the speaker B Phatic Language only function is to perform a social task as opposed to conveying information i e greetings farewells and small talk C Cognitive Language to convey information and tends to be denotative D Rhetorical Language influences thoughts and behaviors The speaker uses connotative terms to be persuasive by using emotionally vivid pictures and drawing implications while developing logical appeals IV The Functions of Language E Identifying Language naming persons or things specifically thus being able to clarify what we are speaking about V Language Distortion A ambiguity a word with more than one meaning B Vagueness words or sentences lack clarity C Doublespeak intended or accidental purpose to mislead distort make the bad seem good or create a false verbal map of the word D Inferences when we interpret beyond available information or jump to conclusions without using all the information available VI The Language We Use Standard Dialect high prestige dialect Nonstandard Dialect Low Prestige dialect Slang denotes words that are related to a specific activity or incident and are immediately understood by members of a particular group Inarticulates are uttered sounds words or phrases that have no meaning or do not help the listener gain a clear understanding of the message
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