Overview

We use language every day to express thoughts, build relationships, and shape meaning. The words and symbols we choose don’t just describe reality—they help construct it. (MLO 1)

In this chapter, we explore how symbolic interactionism helps explain how people create shared meanings through communication. Whether we’re using formal language in a job interview or casual slang with friends, these choices reflect and reinforce our social identities and group memberships. Different forms of language, such as jargon or slang, can include or exclude others depending on the context.. (MLO 2)

We also examine how verbal and nonverbal communication work together to influence interpretation. A simple sentence can mean different things based on tone, facial expression, or gesture. Understanding these dynamics can help you improve your communication skills, especially when interacting across social or cultural boundaries. (MLO 3)

The Role of Language in Society

Language is a foundational element of social life. Through it, we express ideas, convey emotions, build relationships, and construct social institutions. In sociological terms, language is a cultural tool that carries and communicates values, norms, and beliefs from one generation to the next.

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, or linguistic relativity, suggests that the structure of a language influences how its speakers perceive and experience the world. For example, some languages require the use of cardinal directions (north, south) rather than relative directions (left, right), which can foster stronger spatial awareness.

Language and Power

Language also plays a key role in reinforcing or challenging power structures. Dominant groups often define what is considered “proper” language, such as academic or “standard” English, while dialects and linguistic styles used by marginalized groups may be devalued. A clear example is African American Vernacular English (AAVE), which is often stigmatized despite being a consistent and expressive language variety with its own grammar and cultural depth.

Language, Identity, and Social Expectations

Language reflects and reinforces societal expectations, including those related to gender, culture, and group identity. Gendered terms like “fireman” or “policeman” have traditionally assumed male roles, while newer terms such as “firefighter” aim to be more inclusive. Similarly, titles like “Mr.” or “Mrs.” and assumptions about communication styles reinforce gender norms: women are often expected to be cooperative and warm, while men are expected to be assertive. These patterns shape how people are perceived and judged in conversations, classrooms, and workplaces.

Language also signals belonging. Whether it’s an accent, slang, or professional jargon, the way we speak helps identify us as part of a group or mark us as outsiders. Jargon allows precision in professional contexts, but it can also exclude those unfamiliar with the terms. Colloquialisms and slang often reflect regional or generational culture, while idioms can be confusing to non-native speakers. For example, saying “spill the tea” or “bite off more than you can chew” only makes sense within a shared cultural framework. Even “textspeak” like “LOL” or “BRB” reflects digital culture and often divides informal and formal contexts.

Communicating effectively means being able to shift between these forms depending on the audience and setting—a practice known as code-switching. A casual chat with friends may include slang or contractions, while a classroom discussion or workplace meeting often calls for more formal speech. Choosing language carefully is not about “correctness” but about awareness of how words affect understanding, inclusion, and power.

When communicating across differences, it helps to:

• Avoid biased or exclusionary language.
• Define unfamiliar terms, especially in diverse or cross-cultural groups.
• Choose specific, concrete words to reduce ambiguity.
• Watch for tone, assumptions, and nonverbal cues that may shift meaning.

These strategies don’t just improve clarity—they show cultural competence and help create more inclusive communication spaces.

Symbolic Interactionism and Shared Meanings

Symbolic interactionism helps us understand how people create shared meanings by using symbols like words, gestures, and objects. These meanings are not fixed; they depend on context and are negotiated in social interactions.

Symbolic interactionism is a sociological perspective that emphasizes the role of communication in creating meaning. According to this theory, people actively construct social reality through the use of symbols such as words, gestures, objects, or images that carry shared meanings.

These meanings are not fixed. Instead, they are continuously negotiated through interaction and shaped by context. A simple gesture like a thumbs-up might signal approval in one culture and be offensive in another.

Consider language like “freedom,” “family,” or “success”—each carries symbolic meanings that vary across social groups, time periods, and cultures. We rely on these shared understandings to navigate daily life, but these understandings are not universal.

Symbolic interactionism reminds us that communication is not just the exchange of words, but a social process through which reality is interpreted, contested, and changed.

Shared Meanings Are Socially Constructed

Through interaction, people negotiate shared meanings that enable them to understand each other and cooperate. This process involves:

• Symbol use: Humans use symbols (words, signs, images) to represent ideas or objects. These symbols carry meaning that is learned and shared within social groups.
• Interpretation: When people communicate, they interpret symbols based on context, their own experiences, and social norms.
• Role-taking: People imagine how others perceive a situation, which helps them adjust their communication to fit social expectations.

Because meanings are socially constructed and negotiated, communication is dynamic and sometimes ambiguous. Misunderstandings can occur when people assign different meanings to the same symbols.

Symbolic Interactionism and Identity

This theory also connects closely to identity formation. Through interaction, individuals develop a sense of self based on how others perceive and respond to them, a process called the looking-glass self. For example, if someone is consistently treated as a leader, they may begin to see themselves as one and communicate accordingly.

Implications for Communication

Understanding symbolic interactionism helps us appreciate that:

• Communication is a process of creating shared social realities, not just transmitting information.
• Language and symbols are powerful tools for shaping how people view themselves and their world.
• Social context and relationships heavily influence how messages are interpreted.

By recognizing these points, we can become more mindful communicators, better able to navigate differences in meaning and build stronger connections.

Verbal and Nonverbal Communication

Communication includes both verbal (spoken or written) and nonverbal (unspoken) messages. We often focus on what people say, but how they say it, and what they communicate without words, can be equally powerful.

Nonverbal cues include facial expressions, gestures, posture, tone of voice, and even silence. For instance, crossing your arms might signal defensiveness, while a smile can communicate warmth or reassurance.

Nonverbal messages often reveal emotion or intent more effectively than verbal language, and sometimes contradict what is being said. Learning to interpret these signals is essential for effective communication across different social settings and cultures.

Understanding Nonverbal Communication?

Nonverbal communication includes facial expressions, gestures, posture, tone of voice, appearance, and even silence. We’re constantly communicating—whether or not we speak—through our movements, presence, and environment.

Unlike verbal messages, nonverbal signals often happen automatically. They can feel more genuine, especially when someone’s words and body language don’t match. A smile, a pause, or a shift in tone can dramatically change how a message is received.

Children often understand nonverbal cues before they master language, and these skills stay with us throughout life. As Dr. Tricia Jones (n.d.) notes, “Nonverbal channels become entwined in the total communication process.”

Nonverbal communication serves many functions:

• It can express emotions when words fall short.
• It often feels more honest or revealing than speech.
• It can support, reinforce, or even contradict verbal messages.

In any context, whether social, cultural, or professional, being able to interpret nonverbal cues is key to effective communication. Here are some common forms of nonverbal communication and what they can reveal:

For example, eye contact, posture, and facial expressions, sometimes called kinesics, can signal interest, confidence, discomfort, or emotion depending on the context. Touch, called haptics, can signal warmth, affection, power, or discomfort depending on cultural norms and relationships. Personal appearance, like clothing, hairstyles, or accessories, can also send messages about values, identity, or cultural belonging. Proxemics, the study of personal space, shows how the distance between people can communicate intimacy, status, or formality, and varies across cultures. Chronemics, or the way we use and interpret time, also varies across cultures. Being early, late, or time-flexible sends different messages depending on the social context. Paralanguage, how we say something rather than what we say, includes tone, pitch, pauses, and vocal inflections that add emotional nuance and social meaning to our words.

Nonverbal communication serves many purposes: it can reinforce, replace, or contradict verbal messages, regulate interaction, express emotions, and convey relationships. Understanding these cues helps us interpret meaning and build stronger connections across social and cultural boundaries.

Formal vs. Informal Language

Competent communicators adjust their language depending on the audience and setting. A text to a friend sounds very different from a job application or class presentation. Formal language is typically used in professional or academic settings. It follows grammar rules, avoids slang, and maintains a respectful tone. Informal language is more casual and conversational, often using contractions, slang, or regional expressions. It’s common in everyday speech, chats, and social media. These differences are not just about tone; they reflect social expectations and power. Knowing when to shift styles shows cultural awareness and communicative competence.

Beyond formality, effective communicators also shift between different types of language depending on their audience. From jargon and slang to idioms and textspeak, these language forms reflect cultural knowledge and social belonging, and can either connect or confuse.

Discussion

Now that you’ve explored how language and symbols shape social meaning, consider how your own communication has been influenced by the words, phrases, or expressions you use or avoid. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where the meaning of your words was misunderstood, or where someone else’s language signaled something unexpected or unfamiliar? Think about how language, tone, or even silence influenced the interaction. In the discussion forum, reflect on how language conveyed identity, power, or belonging, and how those meanings may have shifted depending on the context.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Language is more than just a tool—it’s a lens through which we construct social meaning. Through everyday interactions, people use language and symbols to build relationships, express identity, and navigate power dynamics. By understanding how communication shapes our world, we can use language more thoughtfully, reduce misunderstandings, and promote more inclusive dialogue.

Check Your Understanding

References

Jones, T. (n.d.). Nonverbal Communication for Educators. [PDF]. Temple University.