Chapter 5

1) Develop your skill at delivering “I” and “We” messages by following these
steps:
a) Visualise situations in your life when you might have sent each of the
following messages:
“You’re not telling me the truth!”
“You only think of yourself!”
“Don’t be so sensitive!”
“Quit fooling around!”
“You don’t understand a word I’m saying!”
b) Write alternatives to each statement using “I” language.
I want you to be as honest as possible.
I wish that we can see in other’s point of view.
I didn’t really meant what I said just now.
Let’s all be serious for a moment.
Let me rephrase what I was trying to say.
c) Think of three “you” statements you could make to people in your life.
Transform each of these statements into “I” and “We” language.

2) Match the letter of the term which best identifies each of the examples
given below. Begin by clarifying the terms as they have been used in your
text.
a) inferential statement
b) relative language
c) euphemism
d) emotive language
e) ambiguous language
f) static evaluation
g) linguistic relativism

__a__ 1. John didn’t call, so he must be angry.

__e__ 2. Look at this headline: “Massive organ draws crowds!”
__b__ 3. That restaurant is too expensive.
__f__ 4. My best friend is the friendliest and most helpful person in the world!
__e__ 5. I’d like recognition for my work.
__c__ 6. “Whew! This bathroom needs some air.”
__a__ 7. Sue is always on time. She’s late today; she must have had an accident.
__c__ 8. The funeral director pointed out the slumber room.
__g__ 9. Japanese people have many ways to say “I’m sorry.”
__d__ 10. My daughter is so precocious when she interrupts my adult conversation.
__c__ 11. My brother is a sanitation engineer.
__g__ 12. The French language is a very expressive language, and Jolie gets very
animated when she speaks it.
__b__ 13. My grandfather is young.
__d__ 14. My sister is a pill.
__f__ 15. My sister is a little monster.