|
Sclorch
Clyster
Registered: 07/12/99
Posts: 4,805
Loc: On the Brink of Madness
|
More on Language
#2099789 - 11/13/03 12:27 AM (20 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
In 1755, Samuel Johnson published his Dictionary of the English Language, which described word usage rather than prescribing. Johnson was among the first to understand that language changes - that words and usage cannot be fixed for all time. _______________________________________________________
I think this concept really needs to be understood by everyone who frequents this forum. We butt heads far too often over definitions of the words we use. I hope that by actively recognizing that language fluctuates that we can eliminate some unnecessary bickering.
blah blah blah
Peace.
-------------------- Note: In desperate need of a cure...
|
CrowHeart
No one
Registered: 01/01/03
Posts: 90
Loc: Cast?lo da Maia, Maia, Po...
Last seen: 20 years, 3 months
|
Re: More on Language [Re: Sclorch]
#2100367 - 11/13/03 04:43 AM (20 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
True. Well spoken
-------------------- What the hell am I supposed to write here???
|
joeshitragpicker
Home Sweet Home
Registered: 10/16/02
Posts: 1,265
Loc: Atlanta
Last seen: 10 years, 5 months
|
Re: More on Language [Re: Sclorch]
#2100384 - 11/13/03 04:49 AM (20 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
language is very odd. little gutteral noises made by apes flowing on sound waves, and matching with the invisible dictionary in a sack of wet chemicals. I hope to one day find a higher method of communication
--------------------
|
whiterasta
Day careobserver
Registered: 04/09/02
Posts: 1,780
Loc: Oregon
|
Re: More on Language [Re: Sclorch]
#2100859 - 11/13/03 08:38 AM (20 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Sin palabras de Englese, que otro palbras? Comunicacion' esta un situacion relativo de estado mental y la historia cultural. In other words communication is relative to mental state and cultural history.Context supplies most meaning within communication.Mincing words definitions often is in conflict with the context of usage.So which is least accurate context or definition? Since context is the "live" portion of laguange and definition is static,I lean to context as the more valid use of wordage as opposed to the static definition. WR
-------------------- To old for this place
|
seraphim
pugilist andstamp licker
Registered: 07/31/00
Posts: 441
Loc: brooklyn, ny
Last seen: 16 years, 8 months
|
Re: More on Language [Re: whiterasta]
#2100913 - 11/13/03 08:54 AM (20 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Of course, without agreed upon rules, the language becomes useless. Properly understood and used, the rules allow for greater expression, not less. When we start to use words that mean somewhat similar but usefully distinct ideas for the same thing, it takes away from nuance and percision (For example - I hear people say they are "anxious" to do something they want to do, when they really mean "eager" - anxious means having anxiety, an unpleasant sense of expectation.) Someone here once mentioned they use words to mean what they want, not what "they are supposed to mean." That's great, if you want to talk only to yourself.
-------------------- trying to lose the monkey mind a little bit
|
Sclorch
Clyster
Registered: 07/12/99
Posts: 4,805
Loc: On the Brink of Madness
|
Re: More on Language [Re: seraphim]
#2101414 - 11/13/03 11:30 AM (20 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
seraphim: Someone here once mentioned they use words to mean what they want, not what "they are supposed to mean." That's great, if you want to talk only to yourself.
Kinda makes you wonder about the veracity of all these claims of "egolessness" doesn't it?
-------------------- Note: In desperate need of a cure...
|
Swami
Eggshell Walker
Registered: 01/18/00
Posts: 15,413
Loc: In the hen house
|
Re: More on Language [Re: Sclorch]
#2101444 - 11/13/03 11:37 AM (20 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
'twas brillig and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe; all mimsy were the borogroves, and the mome raths outgrabe..."
-------------------- The proof is in the pudding.
|
Evolving
Resident Cynic
Registered: 10/01/02
Posts: 5,385
Loc: Apt #6, The Village
|
Re: More on Language [Re: Swami]
#2101508 - 11/13/03 11:50 AM (20 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Who stepped in what?
-------------------- To call humans 'rational beings' does injustice to the term, 'rational.' Humans are capable of rational thought, but it is not their essence. Humans are animals, beasts with complex brains. Humans, more often than not, utilize their cerebrum to rationalize what their primal instincts, their preconceived notions, and their emotional desires have presented as goals - humans are rationalizing beings.
|
DoctorJ
Registered: 06/30/03
Posts: 8,846
Loc: space
Last seen: 1 year, 4 months
|
Re: More on Language [Re: Sclorch]
#2101516 - 11/13/03 11:52 AM (20 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
I think this concept really needs to be understood by everyone who frequents this forum. We butt heads far too often over definitions of the words we use. I hope that by actively recognizing that language fluctuates that we can eliminate some unnecessary bickering.
someone should sticky this, or at least add it into the disclaimer
|
seraphim
pugilist andstamp licker
Registered: 07/31/00
Posts: 441
Loc: brooklyn, ny
Last seen: 16 years, 8 months
|
Re: More on Language [Re: Sclorch]
#2101539 - 11/13/03 11:58 AM (20 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Right. Talking to hear yourself isn't very egoless. It also makes me wonder what the point of posting is if you aren't going to make what you type understandable to those who read it. I guess there can be times when an indecipherable post is useful or cool or makes a point, but in general it doesn't add to the discussion if no one can read your post. Also, I admit it sometimes frustrates me to see the laziness in this particular forum, as opposed to, say, OTD. This is a forum where I'd hope we'd try to make our posts clear and well expressed so the ideas which we want to express, which may be subtle, obscure, or unfamiliar, are more likely to be understood.
-------------------- trying to lose the monkey mind a little bit
|
TheCow
Stranger
Registered: 10/28/02
Posts: 4,790
Last seen: 15 years, 8 months
|
Re: More on Language [Re: DoctorJ]
#2101541 - 11/13/03 11:59 AM (20 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Thats by far my favorite poem of all time.
|
Noviseer
Percussion isFree
Registered: 03/18/03
Posts: 3,994
Last seen: 9 years, 3 months
|
Re: More on Language [Re: whiterasta]
#2102109 - 11/13/03 02:28 PM (20 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Cuando he tomado drogas, a veces quito mi lengua natal de ingles y hablo espanol. Es muy divertido, me encanta usar esa idioma con drogas porque ellos me dejan hablar con mas fluidez.
Language is fun on shrooms. I like how conversations are like a third entity, independent of the speakers. Weird stuff.
-------------------- _______________________________________________________________ namaste said: no flamz in da ODD, if you got nothing to contribute then keep yo lips zipped _________________________________________________________________
|
Sole_Worthy
Stranger
Registered: 04/20/03
Posts: 463
Loc: over here
Last seen: 2 years, 5 months
|
Re: More on Language [Re: Noviseer]
#2102364 - 11/13/03 03:51 PM (20 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
words and language are a right bugger! Take the word "maybe". Im sure we all can agree on its definition but it has a different connotation for each of us. When we start to use big words, as we like to on here, the definitions change even more so for each os us. I know I personaly use certain words too loosly. Recently Ive started to use psychosis to define any negativity in ones mind. As I don't know of a word that would describe exactly what im trying to say, i use "psychosis". I think misunderstandings happen all the time. Imagine how many there are just in this forum when we push definitions to our own personal limit. Anyways, Words are not eneough to communicate how we feel, I think we need a new form of expression.
-------------------- get it all together get like birds of a feather
|
Strumpling
Neuronaut
Registered: 10/11/02
Posts: 7,571
Loc: Hyperspace
Last seen: 12 years, 10 months
|
Re: More on Language [Re: Sclorch]
#2102741 - 11/13/03 05:49 PM (20 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Moron Language?
-------------------- Insert an "I think" mentally in front of eveything I say that seems sketchy, because I certainly don't KNOW much. Also; feel free to yell at me. In addition: SHPONGLE
|
fireworks_god
Sexy.Butt.McDanger
Registered: 03/12/02
Posts: 24,855
Loc: Pandurn
Last seen: 1 year, 2 months
|
Re: More on Language [Re: Strumpling]
#2102813 - 11/13/03 06:11 PM (20 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Jeg har been l?rer Norsk lately (forgive meg for Englesk, jeg ikke know many words). Det er very mindblowing, making new connections i your mind. Jeg har en lot of fun! Shpongle er p? right n?! Peace.
-------------------- If I should die this very moment I wouldn't fear For I've never known completeness Like being here Wrapped in the warmth of you Loving every breath of you
|
castaway
Isanybodyreallyhome?
Registered: 06/10/03
Posts: 553
Last seen: 17 years, 11 months
|
Re: More on Language [Re: Sclorch]
#2120450 - 11/18/03 04:26 PM (20 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Re: "step one: Reduce everything."-
Is this unconstructive? & if so how so
|
Sclorch
Clyster
Registered: 07/12/99
Posts: 4,805
Loc: On the Brink of Madness
|
Re: More on Language [Re: castaway]
#2120461 - 11/18/03 04:30 PM (20 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Okay... I'm not really sure what you're asking here...
Can you please rephrase it (hint: use more words, I can't read your mind like Swami can)?
-------------------- Note: In desperate need of a cure...
|
chunder
marker
Registered: 08/11/02
Posts: 966
Loc: The City
|
Re: More on Language [Re: Swami]
#2120574 - 11/18/03 05:02 PM (20 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
'twas brillig and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe; all mimsy were the borogroves, and the mome raths outgrabe..."
Goddamn jabberwocky scares the shit out of me!
--------------------
|
kaiowas
lest we baguette
Registered: 07/14/03
Posts: 5,501
Loc: oz
|
Re: More on Language [Re: Sclorch]
#2120656 - 11/18/03 05:36 PM (20 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
yep, and a solution is to think a little bit. I can only speak from my point of view, but there are times where I define the word in my post, so people can really understand what I'm saying. even then though, if you do know how the English language works, one should be able to read the sentences before and after and get the jist of what the person is saying. just MHO
-------------------- Annnnnnd I had a light saber and my friend was there and I said "you look like an indian" and he said "you look like satan" and he found a stick and a rock and he named the rock ooga booga and he named the stick Stick and we both thought that was pretty funny. We got eaten alive by mosquitos but didn't notice til the next day. I stepped on some glass while wading in the swamp and cut my foot open, didn't bother me til the next day either....yeah it was a good time, ended the night by buying some liquor for minors and drinking nips and going to he diner and eating chicken fingers, and then I went home and went to bed.
|
castaway
Isanybodyreallyhome?
Registered: 06/10/03
Posts: 553
Last seen: 17 years, 11 months
|
Re: More on Language [Re: Sclorch]
#2120693 - 11/18/03 05:48 PM (20 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
While making an argument I thought I saw you use an implication that reductionism was unconstructive, and I am interested how so, if it were so.
|
|