Chapter Six The Conversation

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Chapter SixThe Conversation

• The Critical Tradition
• looks at how the use of language in conversation
  creates division and holds out the possibility
  for empowerment.

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Fern Johnsons cultural linguistics

• posits six axioms of a language- centered
  perspective.
• 1. All communication occurs with cultural
  frameworks.
• 2. All individuals possess tacit cultural
  knowledge through which they communicate.
• 3. In multicultural societies there is a
  dominant linguistic ideology. In the U.S. it is
  English.
• 4. Members of marginalized cultural groups
  possess dual cultural knowledge their own and
  the dominant culture.
• 5. Cultural knowledge is both preserved and is
  constantly changing.
• 6. When cultures coexist, each influences and
  affects the other.

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Sonja Foss and Cindy Griffins invitational
rhetoric

• uses the idea of invitation both literally and
  metaphorically.
• 1. When you issue an invitation you invite
  others to see the world seriously from your
  perspective.
• 2. Invitational rhetoric provides an
  alternative view of communication that embodies
  feminist values.

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Sonja Foss and Cindy Griffins invitational
rhetoric

• 3. It shifts the definition of rhetoric from
  persuasion to invitation.
• 4 To persuade is to imply that one is superior
  to another and that one has the right to pressure
  others.
• 5 Invitational rhetoric underscores a different
  set of values.
• a) Equality places different perspectives on an
  equal plane.
• b) Immanent value places worth and dignity on
  all life.
• c) Self-determination affords every one the
  right to decide for themselves.

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Sonja Foss and Cindy Griffins invitational
rhetoric

• Sonja Foss and Karen Foss refined and elaborated
  on this notion by contrasting different modes of
  rhetoric in our culture.
• a) Conquest rhetoric is an interaction in
  which winning is the goal.
• b) Conversation rhetoric is designed to bring
  about change in anothers perspective or behavior.

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different modes of rhetoric in our culture

• c) Benevolent rhetoric is designed to help others
  improve their lives.
• d) Advisory rhetoric is providing requested
  information.
• e) Four factors are conducive for creating an
  environment amenable to invitational rhetoric.
• (1)Freedom, the power to choose or
  decide.
• (2)Safety, a feeling of security.
• (3)Value on all contributions.
• (4)Openness, a willingness to consider other
  perspectives.