1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14

Uses and Abuses of Language

Uses and Abuses of Language

Readings and Introduction to Language

1. Read Chapter 7 in the book.

2. We need language to formulate an argument. Before we can evaluate the reasonability of an argument, we must understand the argument. Understanding how words are used in an argument is extremely important. Arguments contain sentences and the building block of sentences are words. We need to understand the meanings of words and how they are used in arguments. So, we need tools to sustain accurate meanings of words, as well as tools to recognize the abuses of language.

3. There are four uses of language, namely, cognitive, emotive, evaluative, and directive.

4. There are several types of abuses of language, and we will discuss only the major ones in the pages of this presentation. They are:

a) Whipping up Emotions
b) Jargon
c) Euphemisms
d) Double Speak
e) Obfuscation
f) Slanting
g) Weasel Words
h) Fine Print Disclaimers
i) Sexism in Language
j) PC Language