09-23-2003, 11:20 PM
Hi,
From those definitions he gave I am able to look at both terms and say that neither is negative or positive
In a sense that is true, but in another sense that is false. For instance, there have been laws against "pornography" but not, as far as I know, against "erotica". That's because to most people, pornography is bad and erotica is art. The words mean much the same (they have much the same denotation) but they convey different emotions (they are different in connotation).
Using the right word is more than simply choosing a word from the dictionary that has the right definition. It must also convey the right "feeling". Consider the difference in the images generated by "statesman" and "politician". In spite of the fact that they bring to many people's mind two entirely different images, their primary definitions are very similar:
statesman: one versed in the principles or art of government; especially : one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government or in shaping its policies
politician: a person experienced in the art or science of government; especially : one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government
Which term is used is usually dependent on personal feelings. One person's "corrupt politician" is another's "elder statesman". :)
--Pete
From those definitions he gave I am able to look at both terms and say that neither is negative or positive
In a sense that is true, but in another sense that is false. For instance, there have been laws against "pornography" but not, as far as I know, against "erotica". That's because to most people, pornography is bad and erotica is art. The words mean much the same (they have much the same denotation) but they convey different emotions (they are different in connotation).
Using the right word is more than simply choosing a word from the dictionary that has the right definition. It must also convey the right "feeling". Consider the difference in the images generated by "statesman" and "politician". In spite of the fact that they bring to many people's mind two entirely different images, their primary definitions are very similar:
statesman: one versed in the principles or art of government; especially : one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government or in shaping its policies
politician: a person experienced in the art or science of government; especially : one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government
Which term is used is usually dependent on personal feelings. One person's "corrupt politician" is another's "elder statesman". :)
--Pete
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?