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WHAT IS DICTION?WHAT IS DICTION?
DICTION IS THE CHOICE AND DICTION IS THE CHOICE AND USE OF WORDS IN SPEECH USE OF WORDS IN SPEECH
AND WRITING.AND WRITING.
Why does Why does dictiondiction matter? matter?
DictionDiction helps the writer to express his/her helps the writer to express his/her point of view.point of view.
DictionDiction contributes to establishing the contributes to establishing the writer’s tone.writer’s tone.
DictionDiction adds to clarity and concision. adds to clarity and concision. DictionDiction eliminates confusion. eliminates confusion.
Or as Mark Twain said, “The difference between Or as Mark Twain said, “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the the right word and the almost right word is the
difference between…difference between…
LIGHTNING……. and the LIGHTNING BUG.”LIGHTNING……. and the LIGHTNING BUG.”
DICTIONDICTION MATTERS:MATTERS:Which would you prefer to be called:Which would you prefer to be called: 1. trusting or gullible?1. trusting or gullible? 2. cautious or cowardly?2. cautious or cowardly? 3. hypocritical or tactful?3. hypocritical or tactful? 4. enthusiastic or fanatical?4. enthusiastic or fanatical? 5. practical or unimaginative?5. practical or unimaginative? 6. overbearing or decisive?6. overbearing or decisive?
DICTION DICTION INCLUDES:INCLUDES:Denotation and Connotation:Denotation and Connotation:
Denotation Denotation is the literal, is the literal,
dictionary definition of a word: dictionary definition of a word: Connotation Connotation refers to the response a word refers to the response a word
reallyreally arouses in the reader or listener. arouses in the reader or listener. Mother Mother denotatively means “female parent” denotatively means “female parent”
but means much more connotatively.but means much more connotatively. What responses do you have to the word What responses do you have to the word
mothermother? (Write them down.)? (Write them down.)
The visual image has The visual image has connotations,connotations, too:too:
What do these images of mothers suggest?What do these images of mothers suggest?
What do What do thesethese images of mothers images of mothers suggest?suggest?
How do we describe How do we describe dictiondiction??
1. 1. DictionDiction can be can be colloquialcolloquial or or sophisticatedsophisticated::
sub or sandwich?sub or sandwich?
pal or friend?pal or friend?
guts or courage?guts or courage?
sleep or snooze?sleep or snooze?
kid or child?kid or child?
finished or done?finished or done?
DictionDiction can be of different can be of different levels:levels:
1.1. FormalFormal (found in lectures & documents)(found in lectures & documents)
(“If mankind minus one, were of one (“If mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person than he, justified in silencing that one person than he, if he had the power would be justified in if he had the power would be justified in silencing mankind.”)silencing mankind.”)
DictionDiction levels can be: levels can be:
Semi-formalSemi-formal:: language generally used in language generally used in newspapers and magazines:newspapers and magazines:
(“Beethoven was stirred to compose the (“Beethoven was stirred to compose the EroicaEroica by the spectacle which he soon by the spectacle which he soon came to despise, of Napoleon crashing came to despise, of Napoleon crashing around Europe, making history, orphans and around Europe, making history, orphans and axioms, one of which is in vogue regarding axioms, one of which is in vogue regarding Panama.”Panama.”
DictionDiction levels can be: levels can be:
InformalInformal: : language used in letters and language used in letters and conversations with friends:conversations with friends:
(“The State Banquet was very grand. We (“The State Banquet was very grand. We ate in a huge hall with thousands of other ate in a huge hall with thousands of other guests, and yet were all served at the same guests, and yet were all served at the same time which must have needed tremendous time which must have needed tremendous organization.”)organization.”)
DictionDiction levels can be: levels can be:
TechnicalTechnical:: language that is the specialized language that is the specialized vocabulary of a particular trade or vocabulary of a particular trade or profession:profession:
(“We have investigated memory storage and (“We have investigated memory storage and the molecular nature of associative-memory the molecular nature of associative-memory formation by analyzing, in the marine snail formation by analyzing, in the marine snail Hermissenda crassicornisHermissenda crassicornis and in the rabbit, and in the rabbit, a comparatively simple type of associate a comparatively simple type of associate learning.”)learning.”)
DictionDiction can be Doublespeak: can be Doublespeak: (A special level all its own and one referenced by (A special level all its own and one referenced by
Orwell)Orwell) Doublespeak is language which pretends to Doublespeak is language which pretends to
communicate but really does not.communicate but really does not. Doublespeak is not careless or sloppy, but the Doublespeak is not careless or sloppy, but the
product of clear thinking and is language carefully product of clear thinking and is language carefully designed to appear to communicate, when in fact, it designed to appear to communicate, when in fact, it does not:does not:
Forms of Doublespeak-level Forms of Doublespeak-level DictionDiction:: EuphemismsEuphemisms: words or phrases that : words or phrases that
soften unpleasant realities; they can soften unpleasant realities; they can be used to deceive or mislead. be used to deceive or mislead.
(“unlawful or arbitrary deprivation of (“unlawful or arbitrary deprivation of life” =killing)life” =killing)
More levels of Doublespeak:More levels of Doublespeak: JargonJargon: specialized language of : specialized language of
members of a profession becomes members of a profession becomes Doublespeak when it is used in Doublespeak when it is used in addressing or confusing addressing or confusing nonmembers.nonmembers.
( “involuntary conversion of a 727” =( “involuntary conversion of a 727” =
a plane crash.)a plane crash.)
More Doublespeak forms:More Doublespeak forms: BureaucrateseBureaucratese; use of sheer volume of words or complicated ; use of sheer volume of words or complicated
syntax to overwhelm the audience:syntax to overwhelm the audience: (“It’s a tricky problem to find the particular calibration in timing (“It’s a tricky problem to find the particular calibration in timing
that would be appropriate to stem the acceleration in risk that would be appropriate to stem the acceleration in risk premiums created by falling incomes without prematurely premiums created by falling incomes without prematurely aborting the decline in the inflation-generated premiums.”)aborting the decline in the inflation-generated premiums.”)
Doublespeak as inflated language:Doublespeak as inflated language: Inflated Language makes the ordinary seem Inflated Language makes the ordinary seem
extraordinary.extraordinary.
(car mechanics = (car mechanics = automotive internists)automotive internists)
(black and white TV sets = (black and white TV sets = non-multicolor capability)non-multicolor capability)
((fire in a nuclear reactor building = fire in a nuclear reactor building = rapid oxidation.)rapid oxidation.)
((lies = lies = inappropriate statements)inappropriate statements)
Characteristics of Good Characteristics of Good DictionDiction:: AccuracyAccuracy: the choice of words that mean exactly what : the choice of words that mean exactly what
the author intendsthe author intends Economy:Economy: the choice of the simplest and fewest words the choice of the simplest and fewest words
that will convey the exact meaning intendedthat will convey the exact meaning intended Emphasis:Emphasis: the choice of fresh, strong words, avoiding the choice of fresh, strong words, avoiding
clichés and unnecessarily vague or general termsclichés and unnecessarily vague or general terms AppropriatenessAppropriateness: the choice of words that suit the : the choice of words that suit the
subject matter, the reader, the purpose.subject matter, the reader, the purpose.
Loaded DictionLoaded Diction: (Also called ‘snarl’ and : (Also called ‘snarl’ and ‘purr’ words:))‘purr’ words:))
Compare "seal harvest" with "slaughter of seal pups"; Compare "seal harvest" with "slaughter of seal pups"; "fetus" with "unborn child"; "fetus" with "unborn child"; "management offers" versus "union demands"; "management offers" versus "union demands"; "terrorist" versus "freedom fighter.“"terrorist" versus "freedom fighter.“
More More loadedloaded snarl and purr snarl and purr dictiondiction::
No list could include all the "snarl" and "purr" No list could include all the "snarl" and "purr" words in the languagewords in the language
Other words that journalists encounter are: Other words that journalists encounter are: "deny," "claim," "democracy," "deny," "claim," "democracy," "breakthrough," "realistic," "exploited," "breakthrough," "realistic," "exploited," "bureaucrat," "censor," “hack,” "bureaucrat," "censor," “hack,” "commercialism," and "regime." "commercialism," and "regime."
The words can set the mood. The words can set the mood.
Regionalisms in Diction:Regionalisms in Diction: "In the [American] South it’s called Coke, even when it’s "In the [American] South it’s called Coke, even when it’s
Pepsi. Many in Boston say ‘tonic’. A precious few even Pepsi. Many in Boston say ‘tonic’. A precious few even order a ‘fizzy’ drink. The real battle: ‘pop’ vs. ‘soda’.”order a ‘fizzy’ drink. The real battle: ‘pop’ vs. ‘soda’.”
""SackSack and and pokepoke were both originally regional terms for were both originally regional terms for bagbag. . SackSack has since become a standard term like has since become a standard term like bagbag, , but but pokepoke remains regional, mainly in South Midland remains regional, mainly in South Midland Regional Regional dialect."."
Soft DictionSoft Diction: Carlin-style:: Carlin-style: "Sometime during my life toilet paper became "Sometime during my life toilet paper became
bathroom tissuebathroom tissue. . . . . . . . Sneakers became Sneakers became running shoesrunning shoes. . False teeth became False teeth became dental appliancesdental appliances. . Medicine became Medicine became medicationmedication. . Information became Information became directory assistancedirectory assistance.. The dump became the The dump became the landfilllandfill. . Car crashes became Car crashes became automobile accidentsautomobile accidents..
Soft DictionSoft Diction, con’d:, con’d: Partly cloudy became Partly cloudy became partly sunnypartly sunny. . Motels became Motels became motor lodgesmotor lodges. . House trailers became House trailers became mobile homesmobile homes. . Used cars became Used cars became previously owned transportationpreviously owned transportation. . Room service became Room service became guest room diningguest room dining.. Constipation became Constipation became occasional irregularityoccasional irregularity. . . . . . . .
Soft DictionSoft Diction in the Corporate World: in the Corporate World: "When a company is "When a company is 'levering up'levering up,' it often means, in regular ,' it often means, in regular
language, that it is spending money it doesn’t have. language, that it is spending money it doesn’t have. When it is When it is 'right-sizing''right-sizing' or finding ' or finding 'synergiesynergies,' it may well be s,' it may well be
firing people. firing people. When it When it 'manages stakeholders'manages stakeholders,' it could be lobbying or ,' it could be lobbying or
bribing. bribing. When you dial into When you dial into 'customer care'customer care,' they care very little. But ,' they care very little. But
when they call you, even at dinnertime, then it’s a when they call you, even at dinnertime, then it’s a 'courtesy 'courtesy call.’call.’ (A. Giridharadas, "Language as a Blunt Tool of the Digital Age." (A. Giridharadas, "Language as a Blunt Tool of the Digital Age." The New York TimesThe New York Times, Jan. 17, , Jan. 17, 2010)2010)
ARTART OR OR CRAFTCRAFT??
What might the writer mean if she begins a What might the writer mean if she begins a passage saying that teaching is an passage saying that teaching is an artart??
How is this different than reviewing a book How is this different than reviewing a book on the on the craftcraft of teaching? of teaching?
What might you anticipate would be in the What might you anticipate would be in the teaching-as-an-art teaching-as-an-art passage?passage?
What might you anticipate would be in the What might you anticipate would be in the review of the review of the craft-of-teachingcraft-of-teaching book? book?
Would there be any overlap? Where?Would there be any overlap? Where?
GANGGANG OR OR CLUBCLUB??
Do any of these images come to Do any of these images come to mind when you think about the mind when you think about the word word ganggang??
Do any of these images come Do any of these images come
to mind when you thinkto mind when you think
about the word about the word clubclub??
LADYLADY OR OR WOMANWOMAN??
That woman is a liar!That woman is a liar! She was a woman of substance!She was a woman of substance! Hey lady, get outta the way!Hey lady, get outta the way! Do your best, young women!Do your best, young women! Good morning, young ladies!Good morning, young ladies! Woman or man, who is more practical?Woman or man, who is more practical? Ladies and gentlemen, be seated.Ladies and gentlemen, be seated.
How to analyze diction, specifically, How to analyze diction, specifically, the word, “associate”:the word, “associate”:
You walk into a Petsmart…You hear a voice on a loudspeaker say You walk into a Petsmart…You hear a voice on a loudspeaker say urgently, “Would an urgently, “Would an associateassociate report to the rubber-toys aisle.” Instantly, a report to the rubber-toys aisle.” Instantly, a guy with a mop and pail appears, zeros in on the puddle behind a guy with a mop and pail appears, zeros in on the puddle behind a shamefaced puppy and takes care of the problem.shamefaced puppy and takes care of the problem.
The job title of the person doing the mopping-up is The job title of the person doing the mopping-up is associate.associate. No longer is No longer is today’s man with a muck rake termed an today’s man with a muck rake termed an employeeemployee; that description is ; that description is deemed demeaning. deemed demeaning. AssociateAssociate hints at managerial equality. hints at managerial equality.
Analyzing the connotations words Analyzing the connotations words suggest to you:suggest to you:
Of course, Of course, employeeemployee is higher in the pecking order than is higher in the pecking order than workerworker. . Although “hard worker” remains a compliment, few today prefer plain Although “hard worker” remains a compliment, few today prefer plain workerworker as a job description — whatever the color of the collar — as a job description — whatever the color of the collar — though it’s less pejorative than Shakespeare’s though it’s less pejorative than Shakespeare’s underlings underlings and surely and surely better than better than “unemployed“unemployed.” .”
Other words for “associate”, and Other words for “associate”, and other connotations:other connotations:
Taken as a lump, in the military or other large organizations, the Taken as a lump, in the military or other large organizations, the associate/employee/workerassociate/employee/worker is called the rigid is called the rigid staff staff and the bloodless and the bloodless personnel :personnel :
How powerful diction can be:How powerful diction can be: Feargus Gwynplaine MacIntyre sees a management plot behind the Feargus Gwynplaine MacIntyre sees a management plot behind the
associatassociate vogue, assuming that most e vogue, assuming that most associateassociates get nominal prestige s get nominal prestige without health care and other union benefits: without health care and other union benefits:
““The transformation of employees into ‘The transformation of employees into ‘associateassociates’ is clearly an effort to s’ is clearly an effort to exploit blue-collar workers more than ever,” he e-mails from Scotland, exploit blue-collar workers more than ever,” he e-mails from Scotland, “while covering the collective butt of the companies that employ them.” “while covering the collective butt of the companies that employ them.”
More connotations for “co-worker”:More connotations for “co-worker”: What do you call a What do you call a co-workerco-worker these days? Neither these days? Neither teammateteammate nor nor
confederateconfederate will do, and will do, and partner partner is too legalistic. The answer brought is too legalistic. The answer brought from academia to the political world by from academia to the political world by Henry Kissinger and now and now bandied in the boardroom is bandied in the boardroom is colleague.colleague. It has a nice upper-egalitarian It has a nice upper-egalitarian feel, related to the good fellowship of feel, related to the good fellowship of collegialcollegial. Would PetSmart please . Would PetSmart please send a send a colleaguecolleague to the rubber-toys aisle? to the rubber-toys aisle?
Rhetorical analysis of the word, Rhetorical analysis of the word, “channeling”:“channeling”:
When a Congolese student asked When a Congolese student asked Hillary Clinton what her husband thought of a what her husband thought of a Chinese loan offer to Congo, she bristled and Chinese loan offer to Congo, she bristled and snapped: “My husband is not secretary of state. snapped: “My husband is not secretary of state. I am.” She went on to emphasize, “I am not I am.” She went on to emphasize, “I am not going to be going to be channelingchanneling my husband.” my husband.”
A negative connotation of “channeling”:A negative connotation of “channeling”: Although the awkward moment was quickly Although the awkward moment was quickly
smoothed over by agreeing that the question smoothed over by agreeing that the question had been mistranslated, The Associated Press had been mistranslated, The Associated Press reported that the official State Department reported that the official State Department translation read, “What does Mr. Clinton think translation read, “What does Mr. Clinton think through the mouth of Mrs. Clinton? ... ” through the mouth of Mrs. Clinton? ... ”
No wonder she took offense at such an No wonder she took offense at such an imputation of imputation of channelingchanneling. .
……and some more positive connotations and some more positive connotations of “channeling”:of “channeling”:
In another recent usage of this increasingly In another recent usage of this increasingly popular participle, popular participle, The Wall Street JournalThe Wall Street Journal reported — at the top of its front page, no less reported — at the top of its front page, no less — that “one butcher used to advise his — that “one butcher used to advise his customers to simply ‘squeeze out the blood.’customers to simply ‘squeeze out the blood.’
Now butchers are boning up and offering more Now butchers are boning up and offering more artful cooking tips.” The spirited headline: artful cooking tips.” The spirited headline: ““ChannelingChanneling Julia Child at Meat Market.” at Meat Market.”
……some humorous connotations of some humorous connotations of “channeling”:“channeling”:
In my op-ed days, I used to write an occasional In my op-ed days, I used to write an occasional “mind-reading” column in the voice of world “mind-reading” column in the voice of world leaders, living and dead. (My interview with leaders, living and dead. (My interview with Nixon was in purgatory, where his entry into Nixon was in purgatory, where his entry into heaven was delayed until he expiated his sin of heaven was delayed until he expiated his sin of having imposed wage and price controls.) having imposed wage and price controls.)
Tim Russert of “Meet the Press” called these of “Meet the Press” called these ““channelingchanneling columns.” columns.”
……and some historical connotations:and some historical connotations: The verb “to The verb “to channelchannel” started in the 13th century with ” started in the 13th century with
the meaning of “to guide along a pathway or though a the meaning of “to guide along a pathway or though a certain medium” and much later found a home in “the certain medium” and much later found a home in “the transmission of electrical signals.” transmission of electrical signals.”
From there, notes Anne Soukhanov, U.S. editor of From there, notes Anne Soukhanov, U.S. editor of Encarta World English Dictionary, “it’s a very short Encarta World English Dictionary, “it’s a very short semantic leap to ‘transmit information or messages semantic leap to ‘transmit information or messages directly from a personality of a consciousness, other directly from a personality of a consciousness, other than one’s own.’ ” than one’s own.’ ”
More on history of “channeling”:More on history of “channeling”: Through the medium of my computer I am in touch Through the medium of my computer I am in touch
with the Parapsychological Association, which cites a with the Parapsychological Association, which cites a 1990 book by Arthur Hastings titled “With the 1990 book by Arthur Hastings titled “With the Tongues of Men and Angels: A Study of Tongues of Men and Angels: A Study of ChannelingChanneling.” .”
He defines the word He defines the word channelingchanneling fairly conservatively fairly conservatively as a phenomenon in which “a person purports to as a phenomenon in which “a person purports to transmit information or messages directly from a transmit information or messages directly from a personality or consciousness other than his or her personality or consciousness other than his or her own, usually through ‘automatic writing’ or ‘trance own, usually through ‘automatic writing’ or ‘trance speaking’; this other personality usually claims to be a speaking’; this other personality usually claims to be a nonphysical spirit or being.” nonphysical spirit or being.”
““Channeling” as vestige:Channeling” as vestige: As used today, As used today, channelingchanneling is a vestige of New Age is a vestige of New Age
jargon that has taken on a general, non-spiritual, un-jargon that has taken on a general, non-spiritual, un-psychic meaning. psychic meaning.
Many serious believers in spiritualism familiar with Many serious believers in spiritualism familiar with such terms as such terms as astral projection, cosmic ordering, astral projection, cosmic ordering, quantum mysticismquantum mysticism, as well as those old standbys, , as well as those old standbys, extrasensory perception extrasensory perception and and psychicpsychic, should not take , should not take offense at the popular lifting of one item from their offense at the popular lifting of one item from their lexicon. lexicon.
Very negative connotations of Very negative connotations of “channeling”:“channeling”:
In its fresh outbreak as vogue lingo, In its fresh outbreak as vogue lingo, channelingchanneling means “indiscriminately transmitting another’s means “indiscriminately transmitting another’s ideas or beliefs” as well as, in the extreme, ideas or beliefs” as well as, in the extreme, “parroting a party leader’s talking points.” “parroting a party leader’s talking points.”
To be accused of To be accused of channelingchanneling is to be is to be dismissed as a ventriloquist’s live dummy, dismissed as a ventriloquist’s live dummy, derogated at not having a mind of one’s own. derogated at not having a mind of one’s own.
