Language Definitions

Theories of Meaning
2. Definition Theory

words are their definition.
allows you to identify the meaning of the word by using other words.

3. Denotation Theory

difference between meaningful word and meaningless
France (non-meaning) to the country, which has meaning

4. Image Theory

the mental image that comes to mind for that word.

Problems with Language
5. Vagueness

a lack of clear explanation associated with the word; word may have more than one meaning

6. Ambiguity

a lack of clear explanation associated with the word and many definitions may be applicable.

7. Secondary Meaning (i.e. Denotation, Connotation and Euphemisms)

the emotion that surrounds a word (got sick : vomit)

8. Metaphor

a comparison using an outside situation to describe a presently unrelated one

9. Irony

the difference between what is said and what is expected

Problems with Translation
10. Untranslatable Words

certain words have no translation and can only be learned through experiences in connection with them.

11. Idioms

phrases that make no literal sense, but are in connection to an event or an emotional connection.

12. Labels

ways used to identify groups of people to make conversation and memory easier

13. Stereotypes

labels that are generally negative in nature

14. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

Language determines how we think

Emotionally Laden Language
15. Emotive Meaning

used in conjunction with euphemisms because words carry emotion

16. Weasel Words

words whose definitions can be shifted depending on the situation

17. Grammar

an organized set of rules that show how language is constructed

18. Revealing and Concealing

language can be used to reveal information or conceal it depending on how it is used, by means of vagueness and how many meanings a words may have