Semiotics of Language/Nonverbal coding/Kinesics (Message) Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Semiotics of Language/Nonverbal coding/Kinesics (Message) Deck (23)
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1
Q

Briefly explain the idea being semiotics within the Message. (Saussure)

A

Language is signs.

Saussure teaches that signs including language is arbitrary. Meaning that different languages use different words for the same thing. There is no physical connection between a word and its referent. Language and reality are seperat.

2
Q

Can you explain what Saussure means by “Language and Reality are seperat”?

A

signifier, signified.
different languages use different words for the same thing.
no physical connection between a word and its referent.

3
Q

What is linguistic for Saussure?

A

The study of langue(formal language) (not the study of parole/speech)

4
Q

What do Saussure find important in “language”?

A

Saussure believes that linguistic researchers must pay attention to language forms (speech, sounds, words, grammar). Because although language structure is arbitrary, the language use is not.

  • you cannot choose any word you wish to express meaning.
  • you cannot rearrange grammar and wish to be understood.
5
Q

Who is the modern founder of structural linguistics?

A

Ferdinand de Saussure

6
Q

Why is language structure important? (Saussure)

A

Because you cannot choose any words and be understood and you cannot rearrange grammar and wish to be understood.

Language structures refers to speech, sounds and words.

7
Q

Elaborate on the idea of the signifier and the signified? (Saussure)

A

Signifier: the word three
Signified: the actual three

8
Q

What is meant by “the structure of differences constitutes the structure of language” according to Saussure?

A

One sound differs from the other (the letter p and the letter b)
Words differ from each other (pat or bat)
One grammatical form differs from the other (the constructions has run or will run)

9
Q

According to Saussure what is all a person know of a world determined by?

A

Its determined by language.
Signs do not designate objects but rather constitute them. Meaning there can be no object apart from signs used to designate it.

10
Q

What is meant by langue and parole according to Saussure?

A

Langue: formal language
Parole: use of language in communication, speech

Langue can be analysed apart its use in everyday life.
Parole is the actual use of language to accomplish something

11
Q

How is language developed according to Saussure?

A

The rules of language are worked out over a long period of time and “given” to us when we are socialised into language communities.

12
Q

Explain how an individual can influence language according to Saussure?

A

Through interaction you make use of the language in creative and constantly changing ways.

13
Q

What is Nonverbal Coding?

A

Meaning attached to nonverbal forms.

Nonverbal codes have semantic, syntactic and pragmatic dimensions.

Semantic: the meaning of the sign
Syntactic: they ways signs are organised into systems with other signs
Pragmatic: the effects/behaviour elicited by a sign or a group of signs. (e.g. the devil sign can be taken as a joke rather than an insult)

14
Q

Nonverbal coding refers to different types of activity. Burgoon suggest six types. Name the six and explain what they are.

A
  1. Kinesics (bodily activity)
  2. Vocalics/paralanguage (voice)
  3. Physical appearance (touch)
  4. Proxemics (space)
  5. Chronemics (time)
  6. Artifacts (object)

Kinetics and proxemics are studied most intensively and are the most important.

15
Q

Who is considered the originator of the field og kinesics?

A

Ray Birdwhistell

16
Q

What is an other term for kinesics?

A

Body Language

17
Q

What is the idea behind Kinesics?

A

Somebody can always assign meaning to any bodily activity.
Behaviour is organised and can therefor be analysed.
Bodily activity in interaction is a part of the social system.
People are affected by the bodily activity of others.
You can investigate have bodily activity influence interactions.
A persons bodily features can both be individual and also be part of a larger social system shared with others.

18
Q

Paul Ekman and Wallace Friesen build on Birdwhistell’s work and made a general model of kinesics behaviour. Can you name the three ways they analyse nonverbal behaviour?

A

Three ways:

  1. By origin: the source of the act
  2. By coding: the relationship of the act
  3. By usage: to which degree a nonverbal behaviour is intended to convey information
19
Q

What is Proxemics?

A

A category of nonverbal behaviour focusing on space.

20
Q

Who is the founder of Proxemics?

A

Edward Hall

21
Q

Edward Hall defines three basic types of space. Name the three.

A
  1. Fixed Feature space: Unmovable things e.g. walls, rooms
  2. Semi-fixed feature space: Moveable objects e.g. furniture
  3. Informal space: personal territory
22
Q

Name the four distances.

A

Intimate
Personal
Social
Public

23
Q

Hall describes eight factors that may affect how space is used in conversation

A
  1. Posture-sex factors: The sex of the participant in relation to the basic body position
  2. Sociofugal-sociopetal axis: Discouragement of interaction and encouragement of interaction.
    Axis meaning the angle of the shoulders relative to the other person. (how the two speakers are positioned in relation to each other )
  3. Kinesthetic: the ability to feel the parts of the body and the ways the body is positioned in space.
  4. Touching behaviour: the closeness of the individuals in terms of touch and the kinds of touch in which they are engaged (caressing, hitting etc.)
  5. Visual code: the manner of looking. (direct eye-contact, glancing, no contact at all)
  6. Thermal Code: the perceived heat from the other communicator
  7. Olfactory code: The dregree of odor (smell, scent, athosphere) detected by each participants.
  8. Voice Loudness: The volume of the sppech can range from silence to normal to loud.