Exam 5: Language: Barrier and Bridge

Canadian researcher Colleen Reid's work showed that emotive labels could also result in disagreeable consequences, as she discovered that women living in poverty were often referred to as "welfare cases" and "bad mothers."

One key to more accurate use of language is to avoid assuming that others interpret words the same way we do.

What must an "I" statement contain?

"When you left without saying where you were going, I felt confused and so I went to the park on my own." What is missing from this "I" statement?

Reflect on the conversations you have had with a man and a woman who are important in your life. Describe these conversations briefly in terms of content and style. Compare the conversations and comment on any variables involved, using terms and research from your text that address the issue of gender and language.

"Sarah is a diabetic." Why is this statement problematic?

In your own words, explain the statement "meanings rest more in people than in words." Cite examples from your own experience.

What is likely to happen when people use language that is too powerful?

Identify each of the following statements as fact or inference. a. inference b. fact -Your children interrupted me when I spoke.

You are in your criminology course, and you notice that the professor uses only the terms "them," "they," "their," and "everyone" when addressing the class. According to your textbook, what is the professor doing?

Which of the following represents the highest-level abstraction?

"Grace is short-tempered" is an example of static evaluation.

What is an example of man-linked language?

Alice Stanley discussed the use of the word "bitch," and concluded by stating the word is never appropriate, in any circumstance.

Which statement demonstrates the non-sexist practice of "avoiding the generic pronoun?"

Which statement best illustrates stereotyping?

English-speaking visitors to the Arctic see just a lot of snow and ice. The Inuit, however, see many different substances because they have many different words for snow, depending on their different consistency and usefulness. What is this an example of?

Naming has no impact on our identity.

Sign language is symbolic in nature.

Describe what abstract language is and how you use unnecessarily abstract language that can cause communication problems. Give three examples. Tell how you could lower the level of abstraction in each of the examples you have given or provide reasons why the higher-level abstraction is justified and relationally beneficial.