Meaning & Symbols Name
In the triangle of meaning, this links a word to the real-world thing it refers to.
What is the referent?
The dictionary, literal meaning of a word.
What is denotation?
Pronouns like I, me, my.
What is first-person?
This hypothesis proposes that language influences how people think and perceive reality.
What is the Sapir–Whorf hypothesis (linguistic relativity)?
The abstraction ladder describes how language can range from specific to this opposite level.
What is abstract?
In the triangle of meaning, this is the word, label, or sign used to stand for something.
What is the symbol?
The feelings, associations, or “emotional shading” a word carries.
What is connotation?
Pronouns like you, your.
What is second-person?
The “strong” version claims language determines thought; the “weak” version claims language merely does this.
What is influence (shape) thought?
“Golden retriever” is more specific than “dog”; “dog” is more specific than this more general description.
What is animal?
In the triangle of meaning, this is the mental idea/image you associate with a word.
What is the thought (reference)?
“Cheap” vs. “inexpensive” illustrates how synonyms can differ mainly in this.
What is connotation?
Pronouns like he, she, they.
What is third-person?
This theory argues language systems often reflect dominant groups, making some groups’ experiences harder to express.
What is Muted Group Theory?
This communication skill means choosing a level of abstraction appropriate to the audience and situation.
What is behavioral specificity (being appropriately specific)?
This principle says words do not “contain” meaning; meaning is created by communicators using shared conventions and context.
What is “meaning is in people, not in words”?
A word or label that substitutes for a more direct one to avoid offense or bluntness.
What is a euphemism?
In a sentence, this is the role typically performed by “I” as in “I emailed the professor.”
What is the subject?
In Muted Group Theory, the dominant group’s language norms become the default for “appropriate” speaking in this public arena.
What is the public sphere (public discourse/workplace/institutions)?
“Be professional” is vague; converting it into observable actions (“arrive 5 minutes early, no interrupting”) moves language down the ladder toward this.
What is concreteness (specific language)?
A core implication of the triangle of meaning: symbols and referents are connected only through this mediating element.
What is thought (reference/concept)?
The practice of selecting labels that subtly shape interpretation (e.g., “freedom fighter” vs. “terrorist”).
What is framing (through language/labeling)?
Shifting from “you” to “we” to reduce blame and increase shared responsibility is a strategic change in this.
What is pronoun use (person/point of view)?
A key communication consequence of Muted Group Theory: marginalized speakers often must do this to be taken seriously (e.g., translate experiences into dominant terms).
What is code-switch/translate/adapt to dominant language norms?
A common high-stakes failure of abstraction: arguing over labels like “respect” or “commitment” instead of measurable behaviors—this is a mismatch in ____ levels.
What is abstraction?