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RE: Use of language in arguments - 8/24/2008 8:30:19 PM

GreedyTop

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*ponders the word Sir..typing skills etc..and wonders if I can get in on this action...*

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RE: Use of language in arguments - 8/24/2008 8:31:37 PM

slvemike4u

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And this is why we love you.......you'll work for anyone!!!!

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RE: Use of language in arguments - 8/24/2008 8:32:47 PM

Thadius

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Mike,

I don't think it would extend to anyone...

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RE: Use of language in arguments - 8/24/2008 8:45:09 PM

kittinSol

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Proof that thinking isn't always to be relied upon

.

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RE: Use of language in arguments - 8/24/2008 11:10:52 PM

heartcream

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Jeffff

... so I have developed a large vocabulary.............. why not use...

Jeff

So that is what you call it.

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RE: Use of language in arguments - 8/25/2008 3:30:44 AM

colouredin

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FR,

I am not saying dumb down language and im not saying use the lowest common denominator there is a differance between someone who uses a wide range of words in all their posts or in every day conversation and someone who will suddenly use all the 'smart' sounding words that they know when they are having a row, mostly the posts dont make as much sense and it seems simply as a ploy to make the other person feel baffled, something which language does in many ways. I am just rather interested in the use of language generally and when someone on a differant part of the site did just this it interested me so I wanted to see what other people's take on it was.

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RE: Use of language in arguments - 8/25/2008 5:02:15 AM

DarkSteven

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I have a large vocabulary but don;t let it out to play oftem. I consider it discourteous to use words others may not have heard.

Using the large words DOES stop an argument with me, because the words are almost always misused and the argument falls by the wayside as I quiz the person about the words chosen, define them properly, and try to figure out jointly what they wanted to say!

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RE: Use of language in arguments - 8/25/2008 5:45:13 AM

Hippiekinkster

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quote:

ORIGINAL: DesFIP

Not necessarily. As one of those people who rarely uses a fifty cent word where a five dollar one would do, allow me to present my pov. The truth is, I think in full sentences and a large and rich vocabulary. It takes more work for me to chat in a down home manner than to talk like a walking dictionary. So if the discussion doesn't require much energy from me, I'll put the effort in to sound like everyone else.

However when the emotions rise, or I simply feel strongly enough about a topic, then I will put my energy into making sure that what I say is exactly what I mean. I disregard form in favor of function. I was an English major, exactness in words matters enormously to me. Unfortunately, more common terms tend to cover a multitude of nuances and not convey the exact thought to the degree of precision that is important to me.

Some of us really do sound like this in real life.

As do I, and for the reasons you have stated (I could have used a big word here, but for the sake of my readers, I'll refrain

)

I enjoy the sound of words. Some words are just fun to play with. Parsimonious. Pleonasm. Perspicacity. Polyphonic.

I mean, English has just shy of a million words, according to this source. http://www.languagemonitor.com/ Why not use a few of them?

As DesFip indicated, large words frequently offer a precision that shorter words do not. Let's look at the staement "I am tired". "Tired" indicates a broad range of the condition it refers to. "I am exhausted" narrows it down a bit; the person is in a state close to collapse. It is more specific, more precise.

When I use large words, it is in an attempt to clarify my thoughts, not to be evasive or disingenious.

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RE: Use of language in arguments - 8/25/2008 3:46:41 PM

UncleNasty

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There are numerous ways to distract and deflect in arguments, $11.75 words included (price increased due to bad economic policies and inflation). A tactic that has been used on me several times here is to lead with a put down or an insult. Pity is that the individual really doesn't need to reduce themselves to that level because they are obviously intelligent, knowledgable and capable of making cogent and salient points.

Anyway....

I've been reading some Tom Robbins of late. Skinny Legs and All. I do like the way he truns a phrase. Some are quite eloquent and others are somewhat crass but he manages to entertain well in either vein.

Here is a passage from Can O' Beans and Dirty Sock that made me howl one late night. I think it offers a humorous perspective on the topic:

"Damn, good buddies!" said Dirty Sock. This locomotin' is neat. But I tell ya, I'm feeling pretty spaced out."
"Pardon me for saying so, Mr. Sock," Can o' Beans counseled, "but you really ought not to use that slang."
The stocking was stung. "What's the damn matter with it?" he asked.
"Well," said Can o' Beans, a bit hesitantly, "imprecise speech is one of the major causes of mental illness in human beings."
"Huh?"
"Quite so. The inability to correctly perceive reality is often responsible for humns' insane behavior. And every time they substitue an all-purpose, sloppy slang word for the words that would accuratley describe an emotion or situation, it lowers their reality orientations, pushes them farther from shore, out onto the foggy waters of alienation and confusion."

Don't we all know people on both sides of the above conversation? I can be on either side of the conversation depending on who I'm speaking with and what we talking about. Heck, I can even be on both sides of that conversation when I'm talking to myself.

You'd better take this all with a grain of salt as I'm quoting the wisdom of an animated can of beans on a cross continental journey.

Uncle Nasty

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RE: Use of language in arguments - 8/25/2008 5:43:56 PM

Irishknight

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I try to keep my big word usge to a minimum. This often leads others to believe that I can be trumped by the use of large words in an argument. THAT usually leads to embarrassment on the part of my opponent. Seeing that defeated and embarrassed look on the face of someone who thought they were an intellectual is a joy only surpassed by incredible sex and a very few other things in life.

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