Language

Definition: Words or symbols are created to express thoughts and feelings. They are symbolic and can be arbitrary.

Problems with Language

Labeling
- Accepting labels may overlook individual differences.
Abstract or unclear language can create wrong or confusing meanings in your receiver’s mind. They state a general idea but leave the precise meaning to the receiver’s interpretation.
Multiple meanings have words that take on different meanings in different contexts
Polarization (either-or fallacy) - reducing a conclusion to only two sides or choices
Under or overuse of Politically Correct language
Profanity: insulting, rude, vulgar, or disrespectful words or expressions

Characteristics of language

Arbitrary
- Symbols are not directly related to the things they represent
- “Car” has no relationship to the things we drive around town
- It is connected to what we think is a “car” - it’s subjective
- Words have generally agreed upon meaning (denotative). They allow us to communicate with others.
Ambiguous
- Words do not have absolute meaning
- Meaning is fuzzy in real life
- Dictionary definitions (denotations) are not always what we mean when we use words. Football or soccer.
- Words have connotations, the feelings associated with that word, meanings we give to things through experiences
Abstract
- Language is intangible
- We use and interpret language
- The more specific we are in our language, the less abstract, and the less likely for interpretation.
- Evasion: avoiding giving details
- Euphemism: using inoffensive words to replace offensive words
- Slang: using informal, nonstandard words
- Jargon: using technical language
Negative
- Language creates a void or separation
- When we use a word, we are also not using other words
- Sometimes it’s best to explain what you don’t mean in order to achieve understanding (what something is not).

Three parts of language

Signifier = the thing in our experience
Signified = idea we have for that thing
Sign = the symbol we use to refer to the thing
The study of signs and symbols, theoretical approach to media literacy
Ferdinand de Saussure: a Swiss linguist. His ideas laid a foundation for many significant developments in both linguistics and semiology in the 20th century.
- The dual sign comprised of the signifier (form) and signified (what form represents)
Saussure’s theory was that meaning is created inside the language

Metaphoric Language

Metaphor helps us understand through comparison - “You’re a Shining Star” EW&F
Similes compare by using “like” or “as”
Synecdoche uses a part to stand for the whole: The ABCs
Metonyms use tangible objects to refer to intangible things: “The Crown”
Archetype uses common experiences to help describe another object - the Hero
Mixed metaphors compare to inconsistent things
Dead metaphors compare to everyday phrases

Structures of Language

Repetition - “I Have a Dream”
Alliteration - “Peter Piper Picked a Peck...”
Parallelism - “Like Father, Like Son”
Antithesis - “Ask not what your country…”
Narrative - all humans are story-telling animals, and everything we say, no matter how short or long, is a story

Linguistic Determinism

Sapir Whorf Hypothesis: the belief that the labels we use help shape the way we think, our worldview, and our behavior.
Linguistic Determinism: one’s language determines the way one’s mind constructs knowledge or thought. ...This influence of language on culture is called Linguistic Relativism.
Does your language determine how you think?

Using Language Effectively:

Be clear - assertive
Use inclusive language
Avoid profanity
Avoid hate speech
Use culturally appropriate metaphors
Use familiar language
Be specific and concrete
Use distinctive, vivid language

Key Terms

Arbitrary - term that describes symbols themselves as having no direct connection with the things they represent
Semiotics - the study of the social production of meaning from sign systems like language
Signifier - the physical thing as we perceive it in the world around us
Signified - the meaning associated with the signifier; the idea or mental construct of the signifier
Sign - an arbitrary symbol that represents the signifier and the signified
Ambiguous - term that describes words as being without absolute meanings
Denotative meaning - the meaning prescribed to a sign without understanding its history of usage and application; its dictionary, or literal, definition
Connotative meaning - meaning that comes from a set of associations a word brings to mind in a person
Abstract - the idea that language is not tangible or concrete
Negative - the idea that language separates things from their natural state, thus telling us not only what something is, but what it is not
Similes - metaphoric language devices that compare two things through the use of “like” or “as”
Synecdoche - a metaphor that uses one part of something to refer to the whole thing
Metonym - a metaphor that is identified by its use of tangible objects to refer to intangible things
Archetypal - metaphors that use common human experiences to help describe another object
Mixed metaphors - phrases that make use of two different metaphors that do not logically fit; compare two things that have no inherent connection with each other, creating incongruous comparisons
Dead metaphors - metaphors that have lost the creative element from which they initially drew their power and now are just accepted as true terms, rather than the metaphors they are
Repetition - the practice of repeating words and phrases either immediately following the initial statement or in the same location in a message
Alliteration - the practice of using the same vowel or consonant sound at the beginning of consecutive words
Parallelism - the practice of placing related words or phrases in a pattern that highlights what they have in common
Antithesis - the practice of placing two contrasting ideas side by side in a parallel structure
Narrative - a story that’s told when trying to explain or argue something with an audience
Narrative coherence - feature exhibited by a story with content that hangs together and makes sense
Narrative fidelity - term for describing how well a story reflects the values and beliefs of its audience
Profanity - vulgar and irreverent language
Idioms - metaphoric expressions whose meanings are not predictable from their usual use, but must be inferred from cultural markers

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Chp 5: Language

Chp. 5: Language

Book: pgs. 67-79

PDF: pgs. 77-89

Language

Definition: Words or symbols are created to express thoughts and feelings. They are symbolic and can be arbitrary.

Problems with Language

Labeling
- Accepting labels may overlook individual differences.
Abstract or unclear language can create wrong or confusing meanings in your receiver’s mind. They state a general idea but leave the precise meaning to the receiver’s interpretation.
Multiple meanings have words that take on different meanings in different contexts
Polarization (either-or fallacy) - reducing a conclusion to only two sides or choices
Under or overuse of Politically Correct language
Profanity: insulting, rude, vulgar, or disrespectful words or expressions

Characteristics of language

Arbitrary
- Symbols are not directly related to the things they represent
- “Car” has no relationship to the things we drive around town
- It is connected to what we think is a “car” - it’s subjective
- Words have generally agreed upon meaning (denotative). They allow us to communicate with others.
Ambiguous
- Words do not have absolute meaning
- Meaning is fuzzy in real life
- Dictionary definitions (denotations) are not always what we mean when we use words. Football or soccer.
- Words have connotations, the feelings associated with that word, meanings we give to things through experiences
Abstract
- Language is intangible
- We use and interpret language
- The more specific we are in our language, the less abstract, and the less likely for interpretation.
- Evasion: avoiding giving details
- Euphemism: using inoffensive words to replace offensive words
- Slang: using informal, nonstandard words
- Jargon: using technical language
Negative
- Language creates a void or separation
- When we use a word, we are also not using other words
- Sometimes it’s best to explain what you don’t mean in order to achieve understanding (what something is not).

Three parts of language

Signifier = the thing in our experience
Signified = idea we have for that thing
Sign = the symbol we use to refer to the thing
The study of signs and symbols, theoretical approach to media literacy
Ferdinand de Saussure: a Swiss linguist. His ideas laid a foundation for many significant developments in both linguistics and semiology in the 20th century.
- The dual sign comprised of the signifier (form) and signified (what form represents)
Saussure’s theory was that meaning is created inside the language

Metaphoric Language

Metaphor helps us understand through comparison - “You’re a Shining Star” EW&F
Similes compare by using “like” or “as”
Synecdoche uses a part to stand for the whole: The ABCs
Metonyms use tangible objects to refer to intangible things: “The Crown”
Archetype uses common experiences to help describe another object - the Hero
Mixed metaphors compare to inconsistent things
Dead metaphors compare to everyday phrases

Structures of Language

Repetition - “I Have a Dream”
Alliteration - “Peter Piper Picked a Peck...”
Parallelism - “Like Father, Like Son”
Antithesis - “Ask not what your country…”
Narrative - all humans are story-telling animals, and everything we say, no matter how short or long, is a story

Linguistic Determinism

Sapir Whorf Hypothesis: the belief that the labels we use help shape the way we think, our worldview, and our behavior.
Linguistic Determinism: one’s language determines the way one’s mind constructs knowledge or thought. ...This influence of language on culture is called Linguistic Relativism.
Does your language determine how you think?

Using Language Effectively:

Be clear - assertive
Use inclusive language
Avoid profanity
Avoid hate speech
Use culturally appropriate metaphors
Use familiar language
Be specific and concrete
Use distinctive, vivid language

Key Terms

Arbitrary - term that describes symbols themselves as having no direct connection with the things they represent
Semiotics - the study of the social production of meaning from sign systems like language
Signifier - the physical thing as we perceive it in the world around us
Signified - the meaning associated with the signifier; the idea or mental construct of the signifier
Sign - an arbitrary symbol that represents the signifier and the signified
Ambiguous - term that describes words as being without absolute meanings
Denotative meaning - the meaning prescribed to a sign without understanding its history of usage and application; its dictionary, or literal, definition
Connotative meaning - meaning that comes from a set of associations a word brings to mind in a person
Abstract - the idea that language is not tangible or concrete
Negative - the idea that language separates things from their natural state, thus telling us not only what something is, but what it is not
Similes - metaphoric language devices that compare two things through the use of “like” or “as”
Synecdoche - a metaphor that uses one part of something to refer to the whole thing
Metonym - a metaphor that is identified by its use of tangible objects to refer to intangible things
Archetypal - metaphors that use common human experiences to help describe another object
Mixed metaphors - phrases that make use of two different metaphors that do not logically fit; compare two things that have no inherent connection with each other, creating incongruous comparisons
Dead metaphors - metaphors that have lost the creative element from which they initially drew their power and now are just accepted as true terms, rather than the metaphors they are
Repetition - the practice of repeating words and phrases either immediately following the initial statement or in the same location in a message
Alliteration - the practice of using the same vowel or consonant sound at the beginning of consecutive words
Parallelism - the practice of placing related words or phrases in a pattern that highlights what they have in common
Antithesis - the practice of placing two contrasting ideas side by side in a parallel structure
Narrative - a story that’s told when trying to explain or argue something with an audience
Narrative coherence - feature exhibited by a story with content that hangs together and makes sense
Narrative fidelity - term for describing how well a story reflects the values and beliefs of its audience
Profanity - vulgar and irreverent language
Idioms - metaphoric expressions whose meanings are not predictable from their usual use, but must be inferred from cultural markers