SOC 503 Study Guide - Truth-Bearer, Essentialism, Vagueness

• School: Ryerson University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 503
• Professor: Christopher Gore

Document Summary

Reference theory of meaning is the theory that we associate the meaning of words with images in our heads of the certain word. : an important use of language if to describe (i. e. to convey factual information about) something. Whenever we describe something we are stating facts, or what we believe to be facts. Evaluative: we use language often to evaluate or make a value judgment about it. : language is sometimes used to express emotions and thus has an emotive function. For example, when you say, i hate this teacher you are expressing your hatred toward the teacher. Note: these sentences also convey factual information about the speakers" feelings, but in most contexts this function would be secondary. Evocative: language can also be used for the purpose of evoking or bringing out certain feelings or emotions out of your audience. Many others uses of language can often be evocative as a secondary function.