Public Speaking Chapter 10 -

Language

The system of words people use to communicate with others.

symbols

Something, such as a word, that stands for something else, such as a person, place, thing, or idea.

slang

Informal, nonstandard language, often used within a particular group.

jargon

Technical language used by members of a profession or associated with a specific topic.

idiom

An expression that means something other than the literal meaning of the words.

euphemisms

A word used in place of another word that is viewed as more disagreeable or offensive.

Cliches

An expression so overused it fails to have any important meaning

tag questions

Questions added onto the ends of declarative statements that lessens the impact of those statements.

hedges

Qualifiers, such as probably and maybe, that make statements ambiguous.

gender fair language

Words that are not associated with or do not privilege any gender.

inclusive language

Words that don’t privilege one group over another.

Hate speech

Words that attack individuals or groups based on their race, gender, ethnic background, religious affiliation, dis/ability, or sexual orientation.

parallelism

Using the same phrase, wording, or clause multiple times to add emphasis.

rhymes

Using words with similar sounds, usually at the end of the word, to emphasize a point.

alliteration

Repetition of a sound in a series of words, usually the first consonant.

antithesis

Juxtaposition of two apparently contradictory phrases that are organized in a parallel structure.

invitation to imagine

Asking listeners to create a scene or situation in their minds.