a. Can be most frustrating aspect of IC, as well as the most rewarding

a. Phonology—

b. Semantics—

c. Syntactics—

d. Pragmatics—

a.

i. Concept of possession is expressed through language (Navajo language does not contain possessives, and so conclusions may be drawn about how Navajos think about the concept of possession.

ii. Verb forms in language reveal how some may think about movement or action

iii. Variation in color (perceive colors differently)

1. Navajo have blue/green one word, two for two shades of black, and one for red.

iv. Formality and informality are also expressed through language.

 

b. Sapir-Whorf has many critics

i. Language may be a tool, but not a mirror of perception

a. Attitudes toward speech and silence

 

i. In some cultures, speech is highly valued (U.S.)

1. Being a good listener is less important than being an articulate speaker

2. Silence is uncomfortable, possibly a sign of a lack of knowledge

ii. In some cultures, silence and harmony are valued

 

1. Speech is sometimes distrusted, particularly in public speech, as is the case with Amish, Native Americans, and many Japanese and Asian cultures.

b. Variations in Communication Style

i. Communication style combines both verbal and nonverbal communication, also refers to the way people use language

1. High context/Low context

a. High context-

b. Low context-

2. Elaborate/Understated: refers to the quantity of talk that is valued and is related to attitudes toward speech and silence

a. Elaborate—

b. Understated—

ii. Variations in Contextual Rules

1. We should not expect any group to use a particular communication style all the time, and the style used may vary from context to context.

iii. Language and Power

1. Members of the dominant cultural group use language that supports the social position of their culture.

2. Nondominant groups have to function in a communication system that does not always support their life experiences.

3. These nondominant groups, then, sometimes adapt their communication strategies to establish themselves in the dominant culture.

a. Assimilation—

b. Accommodation—

c. Separation—

iv. Moving Between Languages

1. Sometimes entire nations are bilingual or multilingual

a. i.e. Switzerland

2. Multilingual

a. Bilingual—speaking 2 languages proficiently

i. Most bilinguals prefer one language over another and may not be as fluent in their second language

b. Multilingual—speaking more than 2 languages

i. Must negotiate which language to use in which situation

ii. The choice is sometimes clearly rooted in power relations, or it may be based on courtesy to others.

3. Translation and interpretation: avenues in which we can speak interculturally without speaking another language.

a. Translation—

b. Interpretation—

i. Can be done simultaneously or consecutively.