Chapter 4
Language
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Language: a collection of symbols governed by
rules and used o convey messages between
individuals.

Language is Symbolic - Language is Body of
Symbols

Meanings are in people, NOT in words

Language is Rule Governed
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




Meanings are in people, not words.
Words have two levels of meaning:
Denotation and Connotation
Meaning varies depending on syntactic
context
Language will change over time
Language of dominant group absorbs
language from immigrants
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
Naming and Identity
◦ Influence on elections (Barrack who???) (G.W.
Smith, 1998)
◦ Popular names (Steele and Smithwick, 1989)
◦ Names and ethnicity (California statistic) (Fryer
and Levitt, 2004)
◦ Name and marriage (unity vs. independence)



Credibility – Dr. Fox hypothesis
Status
Sexism and Racism
4

Equivocal language consists of statements
that have more than one commonly accepted
definition. (page 110)
Family catches fire just in time
Trees can break wind
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
Relative words gain their meaning by
comparison
good chance?
unlikely?
common?
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Slang: language used by a group
of people whose members
belong to a similar coculture or
other group. (groovy, tight…)
 Jargon: the specialized
vocabulary that functions as a
kind of shorthand for people
with common backgrounds and
experiences. (touchdown…)

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
As we move from abstract to specific, we
also move from abstract to concrete.
Gambling
Games of Skill
Card Games
Poker
Seven Card Stud

Use Concrete, Precise, and Dated information!
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
Emotive language seems to describe
something but actually announces the
speaker’s attitude toward it.
I’m not cheap, I am thrifty.
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
Euphemism – to use words of good omen
◦ She is “plump” or “thick” or “big-boned”
◦ She is NOT “fat”
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Women (Feminine Styles of Language)

Women Tend to Use More Intensifiers (He’s really
cute.) and Hedges

Women communicate to build relationships

Women use words of empathy and support

Discuss feelings, relationships, personal problems

Women Ask Questions More Frequently
◦ To Gain More Information
◦ To Get Elaboration
◦ To Determine How Others Feel
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Men (Masculine styles of Language)
 Use words of status and problem solving
 Emphasize making conversation fun
 Communicate to get the job done
 Offer advice
 Use statements to exert control, preserve
their independence, enhance their status.
 Speech is judged more dynamic,
aggressive, and strong.
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
Low-context Cultures:
◦ People say what they mean and get right to
the point.
◦ Clear , eloquent speech is considered
praiseworthy.
◦ Self expression valued
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
High-context Cultures:
◦ People present meanings indirectly, and expect
others to use context cues to interpret meaning.
◦ Relational Harmony valued and maintained by
indirect expression of opinions.
◦ Abstain from saying “no” directly
◦ Talk “around” the point by allowing others to fill in
the missing pieces.
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