Language in Thought and Action

Chapter 5 –The Double Task of Language

Language has multiple tasks: Instrumental, as in fulfilling the task of communication. Also language is used to help us express our feelings.

“In addition to tone of voice and rhythm, another extremely important affective element in language is the aura of feelings, pleasant or unpleasant, that surrounds practically all words (pg 43)”

It is interesting to think about language in the terms of tone of voice and rhythm, because these influence so heavily how our words are understood and reacted to. You could be saying very kind words, in an angry tone of voice and most likely what you were saying would be taken in a negative way because of your tone.

“Almost all verbal expressions of feeling make use, to some extent, of the affective connotations of words. (45)”

This is so true and isn’t something I have thought about much before because it comes so naturally to use these words with certain connotations. Over time words have taken on different connotations that severely influence the meaning of what we say, or the way the person we are saying it too decides to take it.

I also found the passage about how the fear of death can be symbolized by our society’s fear of words having to do with death to be interesting. For example, we use words such as passed away, departed, or gone west. I always associated the use of the softer words for describing one’s passing as a sign of respect rather than fear. It definitely makes sense that some of this usage may come from our own fear.

I think the connotations of words are fun to study, because we learn so much about ourselves and the development of our language. Sometimes doesn’t take much for a word to develop a negative connotation, other than repetitive use.

In chapter five it is very interesting that there are some many ways one can do to change a meaning of what one is saying. The use of certain words has change so much throughout time, it’s so interesting as a society we soften...