The Symbolic Nature of Language

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THE SYMBOLIC NATURE OF LANGUAGE The Symbolic Nature of Language Wanda Black Everest College THE SYMBOLIC NATURE OF LANGUAGE How does language allow self-reflection? Self-reflection is language that is allowed as a way in which we speak to others. There are two aspects of self: First, I which acts a spontaneous side of your creative self, which acts as an impulsive response to inner needs and desires regardless of social norms. Second, Me is the socially conscious part of our thinking. Me reflects the I monitoring and moderating the I’s impulses. An example is that the Me will remind the I that you will get a ticket if you are caught speeding. Self –reflection allows us to monitor these communications (how we use language) and to manage our image (how we are viewed by others when using this language). Self- reflection also allows us to create symbolic meanings and interpretations in the way we present ourselves to others, such as if we are in church or on a job, we would use different language in these situations or locations. How does language organize perceptions? Perceptions are important to form because they are always partial because we do not see everything as well as being subjective, because they are influenced by different cultures, physiology roles, standpoint, and cognitive abilities. Language allows abstract thoughts, that helps us to consider every specific object and experiences individually, instead of thinking of them in general terms. Language also stereotypes, which

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