Public Speaking

Chapter

12

This ChapTer Will

help You

•    Explain how words are

linked to culture and

meaning

•    Understand the denota-

tive meaning of words

including jargon

•    Define connotative

meanings of words

including epithets and

euphemisms

•    Distinguish between

the oral and written

style in language

•    Choose language that

is concise, familiar,

concrete, repetitive,

vivid, powerful, and

appropriate

•    Use ethical language

that is inclusive and

positive about groups

and individuals

•    Give guidelines for

listening and speaking

in linguistically diverse

contexts

LANGUAGE CONVEYS MORE than just ideas. The words you use also provide

clues about your region of origin, age, educational level, income level, sex,

ethnicity, and occupation—even if you’re all speaking “American.” For example:

•   Regional diversity: A “dust bunny” can be a “dust kitty” (in the Northeast),

a “woolie” (in areas of Pennsylvania), or “house moss” (in the South).

The Dictionary of American Regional English identified 174 terms for those

little wads of dust under your furniture.^1

•   Occupational diversity: Lawyers write, “This agreement to arbitrate is not a

prerequisite to healthcare or treatment.”^1 However, a caseworker would more

likely say, “You don’t have to sign this to get treatment.”^2

Review the
chapter
Learning
Objectives
and Start
with a quick
warm-up
activity.

Choosing effective language

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