FUNDAMENTALS OF SPEECH FINAL EXAM CHAPTER 3 VERBAL COMMUNICATION How words work 1 Denotative meaning the dictionary definition of a word 2 Connotative meaning the feelings or associations each individual has about a word 3 Semantic triangle used to explain the relationship between symbols words and thoughts SYMBOL at first peak THOUGHT at second peak the words we use to think about the symbol REFERENT at third peak the image we create in our minds as a result of the symbol 4 Ladder of abstraction a diagram of how we abstract through language classifications types categories etc The symbol you begin with gets more abstract as you go up the ladder Ex garfield cat mammal animal life PEOPLE DETERMINE MEANINGS receivers determine meanings NOT givers Language in determining online credibility In social media there are MANY receivers with different interpretations of your words Eliminate typos outline your ideas be aware of word choice Ex Cursing in a message reduces credibility THE LANGUAGE ENVIRONMENT made up of 4 elements 1 People who is there 2 Their purpose why are they there 3 The rules of communication by which they achieve their purpose Ritual language takes place in environments where a conventionalized response is expected of you 4 The actual talk used in the situation APPROPIATE LANGUAGE Euphemisms inoffensive words or phrases used to pretty up words that are unpleasant Ex genocide is sometimes referred to as ethnic cleansing Doublespeak deliberately constructed for political purposes Doublespeak is ambiguous or obscure used to disguise or distort the meaning of words to make the truth sound more palatable Ex government calls civilians killed in war collateral damage Racist sexist and ableist language Racist language describes the majority group in positive terms and minority groups in negative terms Racist language is used to keep the dominant group in charge Sexist language language that excludes a gender Ex Saying all doctors are men all nurses are women Ableist language language that is prejudiced against people with disabilities Specialization words that are only used in a certain environment usually professions where only the practitioners understand the language Ex Only plumbers would know what sleeve gaskets are LANGUAGE STYLE ROLES AND GROUP MEMBERSHIP Style the result of the way you select and arrange words and sentences Style is closely related to the roles we play GENDER AND LANGUAGE Men and women have completely different styles of speaking Women respond better to stories anecdotes and metaphors Women used rapport talk designed to lead to intimacy with others to match experiences and to establish relationships Men are more fact oriented and statistical Men use report talk where the speaker s goal is to maintain status to demonstrate knowledge and skills and to keep the center stage position Powerful talk comes directly to the point does not use hesitations or qualifications Characterized by nonexistence of certain behaviors such as Hedges and qualifiers I guess and kind of which weaken the power of the speech Hesitation words uh and you know which makes speakers sound uncertain Tag questions comments that start out as statements but end as questions it would be nice to go for a bike ride wouldn t it which makes speakers seem less assertive Disclaimers words or expressions that excuse or ask listeners to bear with the speaker I know you probably don t agree with me but CULTURE AND LANGUAGE Dialect the habitual language of a community Has unique grammatical structures words and figures of speech Paralanguage vocal cues that accompany spoken language Pitch rate volume how often you pause WORKING ON YOUR COMMUNICATION What do you want to say How do you want to say it With public speaking there is little opportunity for feedback You must use clarity present a thought so that it is immediately understood avoid jargon and slang Also use vividness a thought evokes lifelike imagery or suggestion To whom are you talking to What meta messages are you sending Meta messages are also known as subtext the meaning apart from what the actual words express CHAPTER 4 NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION Nonverbal communication is information communicated without using words Much of it is unintentional Conversation management using nonverbal cues to structure conversations CHARACTERISTICS OF NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION 1 Much nonverbal communication is unique to the culture to which you belong 2 Verbal and nonverbal messages may be in conflict with one another 3 Much nonverbal communication operates at a subconscious level you are not aware of it 4 Nonverbal communication shows your feelings and attitudes 5 Nonverbal communication varies by gender Women initiate touch maintain eye contact longer use more gestures smile more often 6 Nonverbal communication displays power relationships EXPECTANCY VIOLATION THEORY when someone violates your expectations you can perceive the violation either positively or negatively depending in part on how much you like the other person TYPES OF NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION Paralanguage the way you say your words Components of paralanguage Rate the speed at which you speak Pitch highness or lowness of your voice Volume how loudly a person speaks Quality quality of a voice is made up of all other vocal characteristics tempo resonance rhythm articulation Vocal fillers NOT part of paralanguage but closely related sounds you use to fill out your sentences or to cover up or fill pauses Body movement also called kinesics Body movements can be divided into 5 categories 1 Emblems body movements that directly translate into words Ex Nodding head means yes Illustrators accent emphasize or reinforce words Ex Gesture how large something is with 2 your hands 3 Regulators control the back and forth flow of speaking and listening Hand gestures shifts in posture or other body movements that signal the beginning and end of interactions 4 Displays of feelings show how intensely a person is feeling through facial expressions or body movements 5 Adaptors nonverbal ways of adjusting to a communication situation Ex When someone is nervous or uncomfortable they may play with jewelry or drum on the table Facial expressions happiness sadness fear and anger are easily identified on a person s face Eye messages information conveyed by the eyes alone Ex Glancing around with bored impatience Eye contact is sign of honesty and credibility as well as warmth and involvement Attractiveness having the