COM 112 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Determinism
30 Mar 2017
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Document Summary
A structured system of symbols used for communicating meaning. Words represent objects or ideas but do not constitute the actual thing. All meaning behind words is assigned by the users of the language. Key: there is no direct relationship between words and things. Prescriptive: rules that experts believe speakers ought to use. How we pronounce words, how sounds may/may not go together. Way users of language assign meaning to a word (symbols to things) Structure, way symbols are arranged (symbols, to symbols) Kiss the cook vs. kiss, the cook . The nature of language: (language has layers of meaning) Loaded languages: terms that carry strong positive or negative connotations. Use language to arouse particular emotions in our audiences. Suggests that our perception of reality is determined by our thoughts, and our thought processes are influenced by language. Language defines the boundaries of our thinking. Therefore defines the boundaries of our actions.
