I have many hardcore beliefs. Most of them can be found in your handy-dandy Bible, but there is one that I can't find a scriptural reference to, it is:
If you don't have anything important to say, SHUT UP! That was my motto as I searched for a topic. Now I have this presentation coming up and along with the challenge of presenting it in my second language (American Sign Language) I have to make it relevant to my audience. Otherwise I put in hours of work only to get an A on my report card and a mass nap by my peanut gallery. Not. Worth. It. So here is the gist, my topic fits under the umbrella of sociolinguistics. We smart people like words with multiple Os and the ever desired "ic." Sociolinguistics is the study of how language is used by people. The nail and hammer side of linguistics. I study language. A lot. One thing that I have learned, especially with training to become an interpreter, is that
everything matters. Ya know those little things? Welp that's a myth right there. It could be your tone of voice. Perhaps its the 'kinda' or 'really' you threw in. Was that a spare adjective you used? It all says something.
All communication is communication. This is called a duh theory. It's so blaringly obvious that it was a snake it would have bit you. I really started noticing this when I had to interpret for guys. See, there I go using
really again! Guys don't tend to do that. They say something
is this...not that it
really is. Using that sort of adjective makes the message less powerful. How many adjectives you use says something about you. As does anything that is in your general vicinity for that matter. My goal is to show my audience these little things so they can start to analyze how they are perceived and how they perceive others. Some very intelligent person once said
Know Thyself. In case you are wondering, there is a whole lot more to you than you could ever imagine. Created in the image of God makes you nowhere near simplistic.
Community Presentation Proposal
“The Accessories of Language: How the Little Things Add Essential Flavor”
Language is not only composed of phrases and big picture ideas. In between the words are significant 'little things' that change our perceptions of the person as well as their meaning. These hedges, fillers, transitions, tones, and adjectives have a real impact that the audience absorbs, usually unconsciously. How ideas are accessorized is nearly as important as the idea itself. Which leaves us with the conclusion that in communication there are no 'little things'; everything is significant.
Learning Outcomes
Understand that how information is cushioned can be just as important as the information itself
Know that people form ideas of others from those flavorings
Pay heed to the little things, as nothing is insignificant
Notice the differences between groups such as male and female and how the flavorings of choice effect the level of respect and recognition given
Have information and basic tools to be able to analyze their own language choice and how judgments are made either on them or towards others
P.S. I love throwing idioms at you.
