Theories - Language and Occupation Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is occupational jargon?
Language used specifically relating to a workplace, usually requires specialised skills to understand.
What is asymmetrical discourse?
The power imbalance between employees and managers, and the way that influences their speech.
Give 2 examples of business jargon.
âstalemateâ, âthinking outside the boxâ, âball is in your courtâ, âknock it out the parkâ - often associated with competition of some kind.
What did Nelson find when comparing business speak and general conversation?
Business speak doesnât allow for conversations about home life, hobbies, etc, which makes it difficult for coworkers to create good relationships.
What is a âdiscourse communityâ according to Swalesâ study?
People who: have similar goals, communicate internally, use specialist lexis, and have a required level of knowledge on a shared subject.
What is Wareingâs Influential Power study about?
He says there is power in knowledge, and if you know the rules of a community, you can participate in it.
What are Wareingâs 3 Power types?
Political, eg. authority like the police. Personal, eg. societal roles, a headteacher has more power than a substitute teacher.
Social, eg. a group of individuals has more power than another group.
Who talks about âPhatic Communicationâ and what is it?
Koester, he says employees can support each other in their tasks to maintain interpersonal relationships.
What are some positives of phatic communication?
Itâs humanising, makes work more bareable/enjoyable and builds coworker relationships.
What are some negatives of phatic communication?
Itâs distracting, can lead to a lack of focus and being told off by managers.
What is âGoal Orientationâ and who talks about it?
Drew and Heritage say it is how workplace conversations are focused on achieving goals rather than casual conversation.
What are âconstraintsâ?
Rules around what you can/canât talk about at work.
