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Language (Chapter 4) (Terms/Definitions (Language- A collection of symbols…
Language (Chapter 4)
Terms/Definitions
Language- A collection of symbols governed by rules and used to convey messages between individuals.
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Connotative Meanings- Informal, implied interpretations for words and reflect the people, culture, emotion, situations involved.
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Syntactic Rules- Rules the govern the ways in which symbols can be arranged as opposed to the meanings of those symbols.
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Linguistic Intergroup Bias- The tendency to label people and behaviors in terms that reflect their in-group or out-group status.
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Examples
An example that language is symbolic is a four-footed companion which we call a dog or the object we're reading is a book.
An example of reappropriation is the word queer was a slur directed against homosexual men. However, some gay people have adopted it as a proud expression of their sexual orientation
An example of naming is that voters tend to favor names that are simple, familiar and easily pronounced. Candidates Sanders, Reilly and Grady attracted more votes than Pekelis, Dellwo, Schuacher and Bernsdorf.
An example of credibility is a physician or attorney will speak formally to create a sense of distance.
Experiences
An experience I had with using power in language was that I was writing a statement to the court and I tend to include unnecessary details and my sister reminded me to act more assertive and not show emotions in a statement i'm writing to the court.
I've dealt with abstract language a lot especially with my younger sister. She never specifies with what she wants or means about something and typically I'm the one to carry the conversation.
Equivocation occurs when I respond to my friend and beat around the bush. Instead of being brutally honest or an unloyal friend and lying, I will respond to her with a statement that can be interpreted in more than one way.
Curiosity Questions
What surprised me in this chapter was learning that there is more than one sign language. Although it's obvious that there would be more than one sign language, I never actually thought about the different sign languages we have in this world. Knowing this means that the American sign language and symbols we interpret is completely different from what others interpret when they are signing.
What confused me is the term euphemism. The definition is still confusing to me. Because some may not perceive a word as unpleasant while one may. So how do we know when a term or expression is an euphemism or not.
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Key Ideas
The Nature of Language
A closer look at the nature of language reveals why people hear something different from what the speaker meant to say.
Language is Symbolic
Not all linguistic symbols are spoken or written words. Symbols are the way we experience the world. There are hundreds of different sign languages spoken arounds the world; American sign language, British sign language, French sign language, Danish sign language and Chinese sign language.
Meanings are in People, Not Words
With physical symbols, the place to look for meaning in language isn't in the words themselves but rather in the way people make sense of them. Triangle of meaning shows that theres only an indirect relationship- indicated by a broken line between a word and what it claims to represent.
The Power of Language
Language Shapes Values, Attitudes and Beliefs
Research has demonstrated that names are more than just a simple means of identification: They shape the way others think of us, the way we view ourselves and the way we act. Names create connections across generations and make a statement about cultural indentity
Names are sometimes the basis of discrimination. In the United States, job applicants with names like Mohammed and Lakisha typically receive fewer callbacks from employers than equally qualified candidates whose name sounds more European.