Chapter 3: Verbal Communication

Have you ever said something that someone else misinterpreted as something else? Some of the most common problems in interpersonal communication stem from the use of language. The language we use is complex and powerful. Often, we do not consider how our use of language impacts our relationships and the world around us. In this chapter, we’ll explore the relationship between language and meaning, how we come to know the content and rules of verbal communication, different functions of language, how to use words well, and the relationship between language and culture.