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Chapter Four
Language (Troublesome Language (Equivocal Words: Words that…
Chapter Four
Language
The Nature of Language
Language: A collection of symbols, governed by rules and used to convey messages between individuals.
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Denotative Meanings: Formally recognized definitions for words, as in those found in a dictionary.
Connotative Meanings: Informal, implied interpretations for words and phrases that reflect people, culture, emotions, and situations involved.
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Syntactic Rules: Rules that govern the ways in which symbols can be arranged as opposed to the meaning of those symbols.
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Reappropriation: The process by which members of a marginalized group reframe the meaning of a term that has historically been used in a derogatory way.
Example From Text: The language, Dothraki, from Game of Thrones may sound like nonsense, but it is actually its own language.
Personal Example: My best friend growing up tried to speak Klingon, the language from Star Trek, but I always thought it sounded like nonsense as well.
The Power of Language
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Convergence: Accommodating one's speaking style to another person, usually a person who is desirable or has higher status.
Divergence: A linguistic strategy in which speakers emphasize differences between their communicative style and that of others to create distance.
Linguistic Intergroup Bias: The tendency to label people and behaviors in terms that reflect their in-group or out-group status.
Example From Text: Names are more important than we think. Mentioned in the chapter, some people change their name, so it can be easier to pronounce or for career purposes.
Personal Example: My dad's name is Ricardo, but he goes by Richard to avoid any racism or bias.
Troublesome Language
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Slang: Language used by a group of people whose members belong to a similar coculture or other group.
Jargon: Specialized vocabulary used as a kind of shorthand by people with common backgrounds and experience.
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Abstract Language: Language that lacks specifically or does not refer to observable behavior or other sensory data.
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Emotive Language: Language that conveys an attitude rather than simply offering an objective description.
Euphemism: A mild or indirect term or expression used in place of a more direct but less pleasant one.
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Example From Text: Opinions can sound like facts sometimes. Fact: It rains more in Seattle than in Portland. Opinion: The climate in Portland is better than in Seattle.
Personal Example: Opinion: Everyone goes vacations in Mexico. Fact: Mexico is a popular place for vacations.
Gender and Language
Example From Text: It is false that women talk more than men. They both talk almost equally everyday.
Personal Example: Each gender in my family both talk equal amounts, but about different things.
Question One: I was surprised to how much gender can affect language. I had never really thought about it before, but it makes sense now after reading the chapter.
Question Two: One thing that bothered me, is how much power that language holds in something as small as your name. That is just crazy to me.
Question Three: I would like to know more about the rules in the nature of language. Maybe see more examples or real life situations so that I could get a better understanding of them.