ABSTRACT
This chapter describes verbal communication and the function of language as arbitrary, noting that words and symbols that represent objects and ideas are not innate, so they differ from culture to culture and sometimes from subculture to subculture. Languages may differ in how they represent the world around a speaker, and how speakers think about the world. While there is little evidence to support language determining thinking patterns, there is ample evidence showing how language shapes thinking patterns. Taking this into consideration in contexts involving intercultural communication is important; one must recognize there are cultural and language-related ramifications for cultural identity and social change. The chapter discusses cultural differences stemming from direct and indirect verbal styles, person-oriented and status-oriented verbal styles, and self-enhancement and self-humbling verbal styles. Various communication styles can lead to different outcomes in verbal communication, and not being aware of the styles familiar to one's speaking partner may lead to confusion and frustration in communication.
