Chapter 3: Language and Meaning
Operational defintion
A definition that identifies something by revealing how it works, how it is made, or what it consists of.
Euphemism
A more polite, pleasant expression used instead of a socially unacceptable form.
Sapir- Whorf hypothesis
A theory that our perception of reality is determined by our thought processes, our thought processes are limited by our language and therefore that language shapes reality.
Frozen evaluation
An assessment of a concept that does not change over time.
Cliché
An expression that has lost originality and force through overuse.
Connotative meaning
An individualized or personalized meaning of a word, which may be emotionally laden.
Jargon
Language particular to a specific profession, work, group, or culture and not meant to be understood by outsiders.
Ageist language
Language that denigrates people for being young or old.
Sexist language
Language that excludes individuals on the basis of gender.
Heterosexual language
Language that implies that everyone is heterosexual.
Racist language
Language that insults a group because of its skin color/ethnicity.
Profanity
Language that is disrespectful of things sacred.
Paraphrasing
Restating another person's message by rephrasing the content or intent of the message.
Dating
Specifying when you made an observation, since everything changes over time.
Pragmatics
Study of language as it is used in social context, including in its effects of the communicators.
Denotative meaning
The agreed-upon meaning or dictionary meaning of a word.
Descriptiveness
The practice of describing observed behavior or phenomena instead of offering personal reactions or judgments.
Decode
The process of assigning meaning to others words to in order to translate them into thoughts of your own.
Encode
The process of translating your thoughts into words.
Semantics
The study of the way humans use language to evolve meaning in others.
Syntax
The way in which words are arranged to form phrases and sentences.
Regionalisms
Words and phrases specific to a particular region or part of the country. Ex: Michigan --- "Pop" Florida --- "Soda"
Concrete language
Words and statements that are specific rather than abstract or vague.
Phatic Communication
Communication that is used to establish a mood or sociability rather than to communicate information or ideas.
Indexing
Identifying the uniqueness of objects, events, and people.
Slang
Informal, casual street language used among equals with words unsuitable for more formal contexts.
