LANGUAGE AND CRITICAL THINKING

Language is a communication toolThe problem is that

there is no universally correct way to use a word.

A critical thinker uses language that meets the needs and expectations of the audience.

It includes time, place, person and occasion.

Four areas of language use are importantWord choiceAmbiguityDefinitionIntensity

Word ChoiceThe words of a particular

language help to determine the way that people interpret events that occur.

But there is no guarantee that sender and receiver will be on the same semantic wave length.

Our word choices allow us to indirectly express our real feelings about the people, events or things.

AmbiguityOur communication goal is to have the

target audience understand the content of message when we selected the symbols to represent that message.

Ambiguous language run the risk of being misunderstood and face rejection.

Use euphemism that sometimes necessary in order to soften a word that an audience may find offensive and unacceptable.

Ambiguous languageCan cause confusionCan lead to over-generalizing and

stereotypingCan lead to bypassing

DefinitionThe primary function of definition is to get

sender and receiver on the same semantic wave in order to avoid unnecessary semantic hurdles that prevent a discussion of more important issues.

Definition words convey to different meaning : a denotative and connotative meaning.

DefinitionDenotative meaning of a word

refers to the way a word is generally used or meaning that people most frequently attach to a word.

Connotative meaning of the word refers to the way a person emotionally responds to it. Without connotative meanings, we would be unable to describe ourselves fully.

DefinitionCritical thinker can use any of the following

ways to define any terms to avoid misunderstanding:

Dictionary definitionOperational definition (function)Definition by exampleDefinition by negation (phrase is not)Definition by etymology (historical)Special definitions (informal quality)

Intensity of languageThe intensity level

of one’s language refers to the use of words and phrases that often negatively to raise the emotional level. It is language that is considered coarse, vulgar, obscene, or offensive.

Intensity of language can be found one of the three areasNegative evaluative words which can be

understood through comparison with their opposite. Words like certainly, always, never, absolutely, obviously.

Intensity of language can be found one of the three areasStrong Emotive

words are used to describe something, but presents the person’s attitude. These type of words are used in reference to race, ethnicity, gender and sexual preference.

Intensity of language can be found one of the three areasAbusive language

is the use of obscenity, name calling, insults, swear words and they remarks usually of a racial or sexual nature.

Impact of language on critical thinking

Language is related to audience attention and comprehension

Language s related to audience acceptance and rejection of an argument

Language affects arguer credibilityLanguage determines how people interpret

their environment.

Make your world more understandable