5

LANGUAGE

Valenzano III, J. M., Broeckelman-Post, M. A., & Sahlstein Parcell, E. M. (2016).

Communication Pathways.  Southlake, TX: Fountainhead.
Characteristics of language
• Arbitrary
• Ambiguous
• Abstract
• Negative
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”
• Words have generally agreed upon meaning
• They allow us to communicate with others
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
Ambiguous
• Words do not have absolute meaning
• Meaning is fuzzy in real life
• Dictionary definitions are not always
what we “mean” when we use words
• Words have connotations, meanings we
give to things through experiences
Abstract
• Language is intangible
• We use and interpret language
• Some words are more specific than
others, however
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
Metaphoric Language
• Metaphor helps us understand through comparison
• Similes compare through using “like” or “as”
• Synecdoche uses part to stand for the whole
• Metonyms use tangible objects to refer to
intangible things
• Archetype uses common experiences to help
describe another object
• Mixed metaphors compare to incongruous things
• Dead are common or cliché flourishes of language
Structures of Language
• Repetition
• Alliteration
• Parallelism
• Antithesis
• Narrative
Guidelines for Dialogic Language
• Use inclusive language
• Avoid profanity
• Avoid hate speech
• Use culturally appropriate metaphors
• Use familiar language
• Be specific and concrete
• Use descriptive language