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UGC NET PAPER 1 · UNIT 06 · MODULE 2: WESTERN LOGIC: ARGUMENT FORMS, FALLACIES AND LANGUAGE · TOPIC 6

Uses of Language, Terms, Connotation and Denotation, Definitions

The three uses of language, connotation versus denotation, kinds of terms, how to define, rules of definition, and Porphyry's five predicables.

  • 5 sub-topics
  • 3 min read
  • Topic 6 of 19

What this topic covers

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  1. 6.1Three basic uses (functions) of languageUse Purpose Truth-valued? Example Informative Conveys information; affirms or denies propositions Yes Water boils at 100°C Expressive Expresses or evokes feelings and…
    • Informative
    • Expressive
    • Directive
    • ceremonial or performative
    • Disagreements
  2. 6.2Connotation and denotationCovers Denotation (extension), Connotation (intension), Inverse relation (traditional view).
    • Denotation (extension)
    • Connotation (intension)
  3. 6.3Kinds of termsBasis Kinds Number of objects Singular (Delhi), General (city), Collective (committee, army) Nature Concrete (table), Abstract (honesty) Quality Positive (healthy), Negative…
  4. 6.4DefinitionThe term to be defined is the definiendum ; the words that define it are the definiens .
    • definiendum
    • definiens
    • Kinds of definition by purpose
    • Stipulative
    • Lexical
  5. 6.5The Five Predicables (Porphyry)Predicable Meaning Example (man) Genus The wider class Animal Species The narrower class Man (under animal) Differentia Essential quality that separates a species from…

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6.1Three basic uses (functions) of language#

In brief

Use Purpose Truth-valued? Example Informative Conveys information; affirms or denies propositions Yes Water boils at 100°C Expressive Expresses or evokes feelings and…

  • Informative
  • Expressive
  • Directive
  • ceremonial or performative
  • Disagreements
  • verbal dispute
  • factual dispute
  • Emotive meaning
Use Purpose Truth-valued? Example
Informative Conveys information; affirms or denies propositions Yes Water boils at 100°C
Expressive Expresses or evokes feelings and attitudes No Ouch! What a beautiful sunset!
Directive Causes or prevents action (commands, requests, advice) No (but can be right or wrong, effective or not) Submit the form by Monday

Some writers add a fourth, ceremonial or performative use ("I now pronounce you..."). Most real sentences mix several uses.

Disagreements: a verbal dispute arises merely from different meanings given to a word; a factual dispute concerns an actual matter of fact. Emotive meaning is the feeling attached to a word ("slim" versus "skinny"); cognitive meaning is its informative content.

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6.2Connotation and denotation#

In brief

Covers Denotation (extension), Connotation (intension), Inverse relation (traditional view).

  • Denotation (extension)
  • Connotation (intension)

  • Denotation (extension): the class of objects to which a term applies. The denotation of "planet" is Mercury, Venus, Earth and so on.

  • Connotation (intension): the set of attributes the term signifies. The connotation of "triangle" is closed plane figure with three sides.

  • Inverse relation (traditional view): as connotation increases, denotation decreases, and vice versa. "Animal" has a wide denotation and small connotation; "Indian male Nobel laureate in physics" has a very large connotation and very small denotation.

  • A term may have connotation but no denotation ("unicorn").

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6.3Kinds of terms#

In brief

Basis Kinds Number of objects Singular (Delhi), General (city), Collective (committee, army) Nature Concrete (table), Abstract (honesty) Quality Positive (healthy), Negative…

Basis Kinds
Number of objects Singular (Delhi), General (city), Collective (committee, army)
Nature Concrete (table), Abstract (honesty)
Quality Positive (healthy), Negative (non-smoker), Privative (blind, deaf)
Relation Relative (father/son), Absolute

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6.4Definition#

In brief

The term to be defined is the definiendum ; the words that define it are the definiens .

  • definiendum
  • definiens
  • Kinds of definition by purpose
  • Stipulative
  • Lexical
  • Precising
  • Theoretical
  • Persuasive

The term to be defined is the definiendum; the words that define it are the definiens.

Kinds of definition by purpose:

  • Stipulative: assigns a new meaning for a particular purpose (cannot be true or false).

  • Lexical: reports established dictionary usage (can be true or false).

  • Precising: reduces vagueness of an existing meaning.

  • Theoretical: gives a theoretical account of a subject ("heat is molecular motion").

  • Persuasive: uses emotive language to influence attitudes.

Kinds by method:

  • Extensional (denotative): lists members or points to examples (including ostensive definition).

  • Intensional (connotative): gives the attributes, including genus and differentia ("Man is a rational animal": animal is the genus, rational is the differentia), synonym and operational definition.

Rules of a good definition: it should state the essential attributes; must not be circular; must not be too wide or too narrow; must not be obscure, figurative or ambiguous; and should not be negative where an affirmative one is possible.

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6.5The Five Predicables (Porphyry)#

In brief

Predicable Meaning Example (man) Genus The wider class Animal Species The narrower class Man (under animal) Differentia Essential quality that separates a species from…

Predicable Meaning Example (man)
Genus The wider class Animal
Species The narrower class Man (under animal)
Differentia Essential quality that separates a species from others in the genus Rational
Property (proprium) Necessary but not essential quality Capable of laughter (risible)
Accident Non-essential, separable quality Being tall or fair

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