This summary is organized around the questions found at the beginning of the chapter. See if you can answer them before reading the summary paragraphs.

1. What are the fundamental properties of words?

Words are symbolic because they allow us to talk about things without being the things themselves. This symbolic quality allows us to use language to create new meaning, share knowledge, remember the past, and imagine the future. Words are also arbitrary in that they have no direct connection to the things they represent, and they are ambiguous because they are open to interpretation. The meanings of words also change over time and place.

2. How do words imply actions and attitudes?

Language is never neutral; words have the ability to influence our thoughts and actions. Although the conventional meanings of words can be changed, words carry with them the weight of the culture, so we cannot always escape the attitudes that are embedded in our words.

3. How do words influence thoughts?

According to the linguistic relativity hypothesis, our thoughts are influenced by the words that we know and the patterns of language that are dominant in our culture. The wider our vocabulary, the broader and deeper our range of thinking, because we see the world based on the words we have to think about it.

4. Why is it important to understand different levels of meaning in words?

Words have both denotative and connotative levels of meaning. Although many words have relatively simple denotative meanings, some words can also be abstract and complex. The more connotative a word becomes, the more important it is to understand the values associated with the word, because we often forget that the meaning of the word might not be shared.

5. What roles do codes play in verbal communication?

Codes establish rules or norms that guide our use of language, depending on the context in which verbal communication takes place and the culture of the communicators. Codes regulate private conversations and public performances, and they help us interpret the meaning of words. They also help create and reinforce boundaries among groups. Codes can be intentionally broken, but it is usually risky to do so.

6. How can language be used responsibly?

Effective communication depends on trust. Some forms of deception, such as euphemisms, are intended to help rather than harm others, but most forms, such as lying and using doublespeak, violate the trust necessary for building relationships. Other means of building trust and credibility through verbal communication include qualifying inferences, using inclusive language, practicing civility, and speaking with cultural sensitivity.