The Nature of Language
Who said, “Man is the symbol-using animal”
Kenneth Burke
What are the four types of meaning in language?
Denotation (Semantic), Connotation (Perceptual), Syntactic, and Pragmatic meaning.
When is emotive language used?
To provoke an emotional response.
What does “metacognition” mean?
Thinking about thinking
Why is language considered powerful?
it allows us to communicate and influence others.
What is Denotation (Semantic meaning)?
The semantic (or denotative) meaning of a word shows how language connects to real-world things like feelings, objects, or ideas. It describes the general properties of a word, which determine how that word is used in communication.
According to Russell how do we tend to see ourselves?
Favorably
What does the word “definition” literally mean in Latin?
boundary
Why might people not realize they think negatively?
They are thinking subconsciously.
What is Connotation (Perceptual Meaning)?
the personal thoughts, feelings, and associations a person has with the word based on past experiences. This meaning reflects individual emotional responses, both positive and negative, that arise when the word is heard.
How is emotive language different than neutral language?
Emotive language reveals the writer's feelings/attitude toward a subject.
What does a good definition do?
sets the boundary
Who said “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”
Epictetus
What is Syntactic Meaning?
The syntactic meaning of a word shows how it relates to other words in a sentence, defining roles such as content words (main idea), descriptive words (modifiers), and connection words (joiners that link ideas).
What question can you ask to test if a word is too emotive?
“If I replace this with a neutral word, does the information lose meaning?”
A good definition avoids what type of language?
Emotive
What is one way you can develop your language skills?
Read extensively
What is pragmatic meaning?
Involves the person who is speaking and the situation in which the words are spoken. The correct interpretation or meaning of the sentence depends on what is actually taking place in the situation.
What kind of “force” do emotive words have that makes them persuasive?
emotive force
What’s wrong with defining a teacher as “a person who teaches”?
circular and offers no new information.