chapter 2 language invitation to critical thinking first canadian edition joel rudinow vincent e....

Chapter 2Chapter 2

LanguageLanguage

www.criticalthinking1ce.nelson.comwww.criticalthinking1ce.nelson.com

Invitation to Critical ThinkingInvitation to Critical ThinkingFirst Canadian EditionFirst Canadian Edition

Joel RudinowJoel RudinowVincent E. BarryVincent E. Barry

Mark LetteriMark Letteri

2-2-22 © 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited© 2008 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited

OverviewOverview

Functions of LanguageFunctions of Language Meaning in LanguageMeaning in Language DefinitionsDefinitions


Functions of LanguageFunctions of Language

Informative FunctionInformative Function Expressive FunctionExpressive Function Directive FunctionDirective Function

PersuasionPersuasion


Informative FunctionInformative Function

Language used to make claimsLanguage used to make claims Claims can be true or falseClaims can be true or false Examples:Examples:

Nunavut became a territory in 1999Nunavut became a territory in 1999 Second-hand smoke causes cancer in Second-hand smoke causes cancer in

bystanders.bystanders.


Expressive FunctionExpressive Function

Language used to vent or arouse Language used to vent or arouse emotional energyemotional energy

Emotional energyEmotional energy Can overwhelm common senseCan overwhelm common sense Can reinforce and enhance rational Can reinforce and enhance rational

deliberationdeliberation ExamplesExamples

Mean people suck!Mean people suck! Question authority!Question authority!


Directive FunctionDirective Function Language intended to influence the Language intended to influence the behaviourbehaviour

of another personof another person Persuasive languagePersuasive language

Influences beliefs and motivationsInfluences beliefs and motivations Incorporates claims and arouses emotional energyIncorporates claims and arouses emotional energy

Example: HippocratesExample: Hippocrates ““Speaking generally, all parts of the body which Speaking generally, all parts of the body which

have a function, if used in moderation and have a function, if used in moderation and exercised in labours to which each is accustomed, exercised in labours to which each is accustomed, become healthy and age slowly. But if unused become healthy and age slowly. But if unused and left idle, they come liable to disease, defective and left idle, they come liable to disease, defective in growth, and age quickly.”in growth, and age quickly.”


Meaning in LanguageMeaning in Language

Labels and patternsLabels and patterns Conventions of languageConventions of language Communication breakdownCommunication breakdown


Labels and PatternsLabels and Patterns LabelsLabels

Verbal handlesVerbal handles ArbitraryArbitrary

ExamplesExamples Please pass the Please pass the butterbutter.. Where is the Where is the restroomrestroom??

SyntaxSyntax Patterns or ways of organizing words into Patterns or ways of organizing words into

sentencessentences Structural regularitiesStructural regularities

• Subject—verb —indirect object—objectSubject—verb —indirect object—object• He made me a cup of coffeeHe made me a cup of coffee


Conventions of LanguageConventions of Language

BehaviouralBehavioural regularities that we maintain and regularities that we maintain and follow to solve the problems of coordinationfollow to solve the problems of coordination

The rules of the communication The rules of the communication gamegame upon upon which we agree in order to get things done which we agree in order to get things done togethertogether

We agree uponWe agree upon the meaning of words (definitions)the meaning of words (definitions) the order in which we use words (syntax)the order in which we use words (syntax)


Communication BreakdownCommunication Breakdown Language rules: Language rules:

are arbitraryare arbitrary can and often do changecan and often do change can be flexiblecan be flexible can be informalcan be informal can be creativecan be creative

Departing from the rules without Departing from the rules without signallingsignalling our our audienceaudience causes breakdowns in communicationcauses breakdowns in communication causes confusioncauses confusion


Dimensions of Meaning: Dimensions of Meaning: Precision and ClarityPrecision and Clarity

AmbiguityAmbiguity EquivocationEquivocation Evaluative languageEvaluative language VaguenessVagueness DenotationDenotation ConnotationConnotation ExtensionExtension IntensionIntension


AmbiguityAmbiguity A term with several conventional meaningsA term with several conventional meanings Examples (extensions of the term “bank”)Examples (extensions of the term “bank”)

Bank – a nounBank – a noun• any piled up mass, such as snow or cloudsany piled up mass, such as snow or clouds• the slope of land adjoining a body of waterthe slope of land adjoining a body of water• the cushion of a billiard or pool tablethe cushion of a billiard or pool table• a business establishment authorized to receive and a business establishment authorized to receive and

safeguard money, lend money at interest, etc.safeguard money, lend money at interest, etc. Bank – a verbBank – a verb

• to strike a billiard shot off the cushionto strike a billiard shot off the cushion• to tilt an aircraft in flightto tilt an aircraft in flight


EquivocationEquivocation

Playing with the meaning of a term Playing with the meaning of a term between or across senses.between or across senses.

Example: “Odd things arouse human Example: “Odd things arouse human suspicion. Seventeen is an odd number. suspicion. Seventeen is an odd number. Therefore, seventeen arouses human Therefore, seventeen arouses human suspicion.”suspicion.”


VaguenessVagueness A term is vague when it involves a large set of A term is vague when it involves a large set of

possible meanings and we are not clear possible meanings and we are not clear about the intended sense.about the intended sense.

Example: She left her things near the bank.Example: She left her things near the bank. Did she leave them near the cushion of the billiard Did she leave them near the cushion of the billiard

table? table? Near the Near the business establishment authorized to business establishment authorized to

receive and safeguard money, lend money at receive and safeguard money, lend money at interest, etc.? interest, etc.?

Near the edge of the snow piled up near the wall? Near the edge of the snow piled up near the wall? Near the river?Near the river? ““Things” is also vague. What did she leave?Things” is also vague. What did she leave?


Evaluative LanguageEvaluative Language

Terms that can express worth, value, Terms that can express worth, value, goodness and the like.goodness and the like.

Examples:Examples: This is a good car.This is a good car. A university career is a valuable undertaking.A university career is a valuable undertaking.


DefinitionsDefinitions

DefinitionsDefinitions Dictionary definitionsDictionary definitions StipulationStipulation Abstract wordsAbstract words Necessary and sufficient conditionsNecessary and sufficient conditions Dialogical approach to essential definitionsDialogical approach to essential definitions Genus and differentiaGenus and differentia


Dictionary DefinitionsDictionary Definitions

A definition is an explanation of the A definition is an explanation of the meaning of a word or term.meaning of a word or term.

DictionariesDictionaries Give word histories or etymologiesGive word histories or etymologies Give definitions of new wordsGive definitions of new words Give the conventional definitionsGive the conventional definitions Give examples and synonymsGive examples and synonyms Do not give unconventional uses of a wordDo not give unconventional uses of a word


Stipulative DefinitionsStipulative Definitions

Where conventional usage and understanding Where conventional usage and understanding are inadequate or unsuitable in some way, are inadequate or unsuitable in some way, ddefinitions of words are stipulated:efinitions of words are stipulated:

To establish a precise meaning for readersTo establish a precise meaning for readers To lay down the terms of an agreement about To lay down the terms of an agreement about

how a word is to be used and understood in how a word is to be used and understood in the context of some discoursethe context of some discourse

Example: a “full time employee” shall be Example: a “full time employee” shall be defined as an “employee working 25 hours or defined as an “employee working 25 hours or more per week”.more per week”.


Abstract WordsAbstract Words

Words that refer to ideas, concepts, Words that refer to ideas, concepts, thoughts, and emotions.thoughts, and emotions.

Concrete

Watch

Flag

Can of tuna

Abstract

Time

Patriotism

Food


Necessary and Sufficient Necessary and Sufficient ConditionsConditions

Rule things in Rule things in Rule other things outRule other things out A necessary condition is a characteristic or set of A necessary condition is a characteristic or set of

characteristics characteristics requiredrequired for membership in the word's for membership in the word's extension. extension.

A sufficient condition is a characteristic or set of A sufficient condition is a characteristic or set of characteristics that is characteristics that is by itself adequateby itself adequate for for membership in the word's extension.membership in the word's extension.


Essential Definitions: Dialogical Essential Definitions: Dialogical ApproachApproach

Step 1Step 1 Formulate a definitionFormulate a definition

Step 2Step 2 Develop an example to test your definitionDevelop an example to test your definition

Step 3Step 3 Revise the original definition to make it more preciseRevise the original definition to make it more precise

Step 4Step 4 Repeat Steps 2 and 3Repeat Steps 2 and 3


Genus and DifferentiaGenus and Differentia

spoon utensil A small, shallow bowl with a handle used in eating or stirring

watch machine Portable or wearable device for telling time

Genus DifferentiaTerm

chapter 2 language invitation to critical thinking first canadian edition joel rudinow vincent e....

Documents

language definitions

expressive function

informative function

directive function language

language labels

words syntax slide

meaning of words definitions

cup of coffee slide