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Module Six: Verbal Messages

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Module Six: Verbal Messages

MOUSETRAPS

Verbal Messages

Look for meaning not only in the words spoken, but in the person speaking them

Denotative vs. Connotative

Denotation:

The dictionary (literal, objective) meaning of a word; the meaning that members of a culture assign to a word

Connotation:

A word’s emotional, subjective, or personal associations

Indirect Messages

Advantage:

Indirect messages allow you to express a thought without insulting or offending anyone; they allow you to observe the rules of polite interaction

Disadvantage:

Indirect messages can create ambiguity and be misunderstood

Gender Differences in Directness

Stereotypically, women make indirect requests; men give direct orders

Cultural Differences in Directness

Many Asian and Latin American cultures value indirectness, which enables a person to avoid appearing criticized or contradicted

American styles of communication favour directness

Abstraction

The level of abstraction in verbal communication will vary depending on the context and audience of the message

Use abstraction sparingly; express your meaning in specific terms

Abstract vs Concrete

Abstract terms

-concepts and ideas that have no physical dimensions (freedom, love, happiness, equality)

Concrete terms

-refers to objects, people, happenings that are perceived through sight, smell, touch, hearing, or taste

From the General to the Concrete

CultureEntertainment

MovieClassic

Musical

“Singing in the Rain”

People

The meaning of a message can vary depending on the speaker and the speaker’s circumstances

Context

Verbal and nonverbal messages exist in context, which affects their meaning

Cultural context influences the meaning assigned to speech as well as whether the meaning is friendly, offensive, sensitive, etc.

Inclusion and Exclusion

Inclusive messages:

Include all people present and acknowledge the relevance of others

Exclusive messages:

Exclude specific people and, in some cases, entire cultural groups

Confirmation

Acknowledges the presence of the other person

Indicates your acceptance of this person, of this person’s definition of self, and of your relationship as defined or viewed by this other person

Disconfirmation: Denying Others’ Significance

Sexism: derogatory behaviour or language toward one sex (usually women)

Heterosexism: attitudes, behaviours, and languages that disparage people who are GLBTQ

Racism: conscious or unconscious attempt to place a racial or ethnic group in an inferior position

Ageism: discrimination based on age

Cultural Identifiers

To avoid sexism, heterosexism, racism, and ageism, learn and be sensitive to preferred cultural identifiers

Orientation

Intensional:

To view people, objects, and events in the way they are labeled

Extensional:

To look first at the actual people, objects, and events, and only afterwards at their labels

Facts and Inferences

Recognize the distinction between statements of fact and statements of inference

Fact-Inference Confusion Occurs When

Inferences are treated as fact

Statements are made based on observation and inferences

Factual statements are not based on observed facts only

Inferential statements are not recognized as important to establish what is meaningful

Indiscrimination

The failure to distinguish between similar but different people, objects, or events

Polarization

The tendency to look at the world in terms of opposites and extremes

The fallacy of either/or and black/ white statements

The inappropriate use of opposites

The implication that there are only two sides to a problem—failure to look for middle ground

Speaking Appropriately

Formality of language

Jargon

Slang

Profanity

Vulgar expressions

Have A Great Day…