Exam 1 Flashcards
Logic
the study of the standards and methods of correct reasoning
critical thinking
the careful application of reason in the determination of whether a claim is true
informative language
language that transmits information
ex. Today is Wednesday
expressive language
language used to express emotions
ex. I am sad
ceremonial language
language that serves some sort of ritual function
ex. in a religious service, ritual greetings
directive language
language used to tell people what to do
ex. please turn in your homework
performative language
language that performs the function it announces, brings about a change in status
ex. when you are pronounce married
denotation
the object to which the word refers
connotation
the emotional reactions a word elicits (how it makes you feel)
euphemism
taking a word with a negative connotation and replacing it with a word that has a more positive connotation
ex. passing away instead of dying
dysphemism
taking a word with a positive or neutral connotation and replacing it with a word that has a more negative connotation
ex. looney bin for mental hospital
vagueness
using words or phrases that do not have a clear denotation
ambiguity
when a word or sentence can be interpreted in more than one way
equivocation
when a word or phrase has more than one denotation and we switch between those denotation
amphibology
when the grammar of a sentence is ambiguous and we aren’t sure which meaning is intended
accentuation
changing the meaning of a statement by changing the tone with which one pronounces or emphasizes certain words
weasel words
words inserted into a claim that make it weaker than it initially appears
ex. save UP TO % off
jargon
using a highly complex / technical vocabulary to make something seem more complex than it is or to mask poor thinking
definiendum
a word or symbol being defined
definiens
the definition of a word
linguistic definition
a report of the meaning a word has in actual language use
theoretical definition
a definition that attempts to formulate a theoretically adequate or scientifically useful definition of the object to with the term applies
stimulative definition
a proposal to assign meaning to a newly introduced word or symbol
persuasive definition
a definition intended to influence attitudes or stir emotions
