Lecture 6COMM 1000 1st Edition Outline of last lecturel. Languagell. Symbols and Referentslll. Kinds of ruleslV. Meaning V. CodesVl. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Outline of Current lecture Vll. Language Problems Vlll. Culture lX. Sexist language X. Gender, Sex, Sexuality Communication Current lecture Vll. Language Problems A. Abstract language- Abstract language- Vague, imprecise- We make attempts to be precise but it is difficult - Interpreting the law- Interpreting the bible- Interpreting Mike’s lecturesB. Inference - Conclusion or judgment derived from evidence or assumption - We do it all the time!- Factual versus inferential - Not possible to avoid - Language does not afford differentiation Sense verified facts and non-sense verified facts- You goal is to become more conscious - Weight the risk of inferring C. Dichotomies- Polar words- All or nothing dichotomies (false dichotomies)- Disregard the space between characteristics Success--------------------------------Failure- Should be asking how much & to what extent: are we successful D. Euphemisms - Substitute mild, vague, or less emotionally charged for more blunt ones- Heavyset, under-tall, peaks and valleys- Severity, explicitness, and clarity sufferE. Equivocal Language - Assuming that a word or phrase has only one meaning (unequivocal).- One word one meaning fallacy - Let’s get a drink after the show.- Two Main Problems1) Same word use same meaning making 2) Different words means we disagree Vlll. Culture - Language= our most explicit form of communication for receivers to interpret- Culture divestitures are not grammatical- Based on point of view - Zambia versus the US- Situational experiences versus problems solvers- India versus China and Japan - Truthfulness versus lack of augmentation - Western and Eastern Philosophy: Argumentation - West – equality of participation, freedom from social coercion, suspensionof privilege, free expression of feeling- East- Avoid argumentation due to personal rivalries, lifelong opponents- Sapir-Whorf again…- Thought process are shaped by language which is shaped by culture traditions lX. Sexist Language - US language is sexist towards females- Males represented by fewer and more positive terms - Occupational nouns- Policeman, fireman, anchorman - Sexist language ultimately elevates men above women (sometimes quite subtly)- Language, intention, inference X. Gender, Sex, Sexuality Communication A. Gender and Sex - One’s “sex” refers to their biology apparatus- “Gender” is more of a continuum - Bem’s Androgyny B. Some differences - Stereotypes that women talk more than men - Research does not support this- Men tend to decide what to talk about and for how long - Women do tend to disclose more than men, however - Both make negative disclosures about equally - Men have more “taboo” topics C. Woman as Choreographers- Women facilitate conversation by:- Asking more questions - Eliciting responses- Tag questions (It’s good, Don’t you think?)- Using positive minimal responses (“uh-huh”)- Explicitly acknowledging the other person D. Gender Role Socialization - Language can shape identity.- Boys and girls receive explicit and implicit messages telling them how males and females are expected to act in a given culture.- Some differences - Discussing emotions- Social orientation- What is rewarded E. Conversational Structure - The way conversations are structured or organized - Edelsky identified “Floor One” and “Floor two”- Floor one o Monologueso Single speaking turnso Declarative statements o Men are more likely to speak this way- Floor two o Free for allo Lack of clear turn takingo Conversational overlap o Repetition o Agreement structureso Women are more likely to speak this way- Floors and Comfort - Research on floors..- Men put in floor two feels confused and less satisfied - Women put in floor one feel less confident and less satisfied F. More Verbal differences - Women’s speech characterized by tentative structure: “I guess” “I think” “I feel”- Rising voice - More intensifiers and more hedges than men- Women ask question more frequently than men.- Tag question - Men’s speech:- Lots of arguing, verbal posturing - Jokes highly valued- Arguments are enjoyed as an “activity” - Verbal aggressionG. Powerful/ Less language - Tag questions (you do like my shirt, right?)- Hedges (kind, sorta, pretty sure)- Uh & Well (pause)- All of the above are perceived as powerless speech or ineffective speech- Assertiveness and powerful speech can be contextual - Professor student meetings- Defendants H. Gender linked language effects- Transcripted conversations are rated: sex of speakers unknown to raters- Males language- Higher in dynamism - Female language- Aesthetic quality, higher socio-intellectual status I. Feminist Perspective- Women’s style is dictated by men’s dominance over women.- Theories of difference versus theories of dominance- Women ask more questions – Why?- It’s their speech style - Or because men are reluctant to take responsibility for orchestrating conversations and force women to ask questions J. Meta-communication - Communication about communication- Public speaking evaluations - Subtle interpersonal conversations - Difficult skill to master- Egocentric, bound somewhat by language - Conflicts management and negotiation strategies can help in fostering
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