Presentation 8b: Linguistic Pitfalls (Phil 1230: Reasoning and Critical Thinking)

Summary

This presentation explores common linguistic pitfalls that hinder clear communication, including ambiguity, vagueness, incomplete meaning, emotional bias, category mistakes, empty meaning, and jargon. It emphasizes the importance of using precise, clear language to avoid misunderstandings. The speaker provides examples of each pitfall and offers advice on how to recognize and avoid them in everyday communication, highlighting the need for clarity and precision, especially when conveying complex or important ideas. The goal is to ensure effective communication without misleading or confusing the audience.

Takeaways

• 😀 Vagueness occurs when terms are unclear, making it difficult to determine exactly what they apply to or when they are true. Example: 'tall' is a vague term.
• 😀 Incomplete meaning arises when terms depend on unspecified standards of comparison, like 'better' or 'faster' without context.
• 😀 Inappropriate emotional connotation happens when language is used to provoke biased reactions, such as labeling religion as 'superstition' or abortion as 'murder'.
• 😀 Category mistakes occur when something is wrongly ascribed a property that doesn’t make sense for its category, like saying 'information wants to be free'.
• 😀 Empty meaning is when a statement adds no new or informative content, often merely restating the obvious. Example: 'Bugs flying around with wings are flying bugs.'
• 😀 Jargon is specialized language used by certain groups but can hinder communication if used with an unfamiliar audience. Example: a doctor using medical jargon with a patient.
• 😀 Gobbledygook refers to overly complex or convoluted language that makes communication unclear and difficult to understand.
• 😀 Vagueness can be useful in casual conversations but becomes problematic when precise information is required, like customer service promises or measurements.
• 😀 Emotional connotations in language can be persuasive but should be avoided in clear communication to prevent biasing the audience's reactions.
• 😀 To communicate effectively, it’s important to use clear, simple language and avoid using jargon or gobbledygook unless speaking to a specialized audience.

Q & A

What is a linguistic pitfall?

A linguistic pitfall is a language issue that hinders clear and effective communication, making it difficult to understand or express ideas accurately. Recognizing these pitfalls is important to improve communication.

What was discussed in the previous presentation regarding linguistic pitfalls?

The previous presentation discussed ambiguity as a linguistic pitfall, which occurs when a word or expression can be interpreted in multiple ways.

What is vagueness in language?

Vagueness occurs when a term or statement is imprecise, meaning it is unclear exactly what it applies to or when it is true. For example, terms like 'tall', 'happy', and 'bald' are often vague because there are no clear boundaries for their definitions.

Why is vagueness sometimes used evasively?

Vagueness can be used evasively to avoid making clear commitments. For example, a company might say, 'We will issue you a refund soon,' leaving the exact timing unclear and potentially avoiding responsibility.

What is an example of incomplete meaning in language?

An example of incomplete meaning is when a term like 'better' or 'faster' is used without specifying the comparison it’s based on. For example, saying 'Starbucks coffee is better and delivered faster' lacks context about what it's being compared to.

What is inappropriate emotional connotation?

Inappropriate emotional connotation occurs when emotionally charged language is used to manipulate or bias an audience’s reaction. For instance, labeling religion as 'superstitious' or abortion as 'murder' uses emotional connotations to sway opinions unfairly.

What is a category mistake?

A category mistake happens when a property is attributed to something that it cannot logically possess because it belongs to a different category. For example, saying 'Information wants to be free' is a category mistake because 'information' is not the kind of thing that can 'want' anything.

How does empty meaning affect communication?

Empty meaning occurs when a statement provides no substantial information, like saying 'Bugs flying around with wings are flying bugs.' Though the statement may be true, it doesn’t provide new or useful information for understanding.

What is the problem with jargon in communication?

Jargon can impede communication when used with an audience unfamiliar with the terms. For example, a doctor might use medical jargon that a patient doesn’t understand, making it difficult for the patient to grasp the necessary information.

What is gobbledygook and why should it be avoided?

Gobbledygook refers to overly complex or convoluted language that is hard to understand. It can make communication less effective and often backfires, as studies show that unnecessarily complex language can make the writer appear less intelligent.