TOK~ Language

1. TOK~ Language Myths and Metaphors

2. What we have learned about language • Geography can influence it • Body language says a lot • Gender can effect reception • Language has emotion • Symbolic language transcends spoken language • Emotion can change the meaning of a word based on the receivers perception • It is a tool for communicating and thinking

3. 1. Definition theory~ meanings are to be found in dictionaries. • Problem: definitions found in dictionaries can be vague (define love) • 2. Denotation theory~ meanings are found in the world. • Problem: abstract words can’t be defined this way (define wisdom) • 3. Image theory~ meanings are found in the mind • Problem: unsure if the mental picture is the same or varies from person to person Language theories These are theories of meaning. They show what distinguishes meaningful words from meaningless ones.

4. Vagueness~ meaning depends on context • “fast” means something to a distance runner vs a formula one driver • Ambiguity~ there can be 2 meanings • FORD: you should prepare yourself for the jump to hyperspace; it’s unpleasantly like being drunk. • ARTHUR: what’s so unpleasant about being drunk • FORD: just ask a glass of water • Secondary meaning~ Words can have the following • Denotation- primary word mening • Connotation- secondary word meaning • Euphemisms- some words to harsh (passed away vs dead) • Metaphor ~ it is difficult sometimes to decide when language has transitioned from literal to metaphorical language • My brother is a butcher/ My dentist is a butcher • Irony~ saying one thing to mean another • “any more bright ideas, Einstein?” Meaning as know how These are problematic because they can change the meaning based on the situation

5. Myths and legends • Myths and legends are metaphorical in nature • They are used to teach a lesson of some type, convey a warning, or pass information • Several cultures have myths and legends that are similar

6. Creation Myths Native American- created with animals as a focal point Norse- similarities with animals, fire and ice

7. Birth of the Jersey Devil • A New Jersey Legend • retold by S.E. Schlosser •      A storm was raging that night in 1735, when Mother Leeds was brought to bed in childbirth. The room was full of woman folk gathered to help her, more out of curiosity than good will. They had all heard the rumors that Mother Leeds was involved in witchcraft, and had sworn she would give birth to a devil.   • Tension mounted when at last the baby arrived.  It was a relief (and to some a disappointment), when the baby was born completely normal.  But a few moments later, before their terrified eyes, the child began to change. The room erupted with screams as the child grew at an enormous rate, becoming taller than a man and changing into a beast which resembled a dragon, with a head like a horse, a snake-like body and bat's wings. • As soon as it was full-grown, the monster began beating all the woman (including his mother) with its thick, forked tail. With a harsh cry, it flew through the chimney and vanished into the storm. • The Monster of Leeds, or the Jersey Devil as he was later called, still haunts the pines of New Jersey, wrecking havoc upon farmer's crops and livestock, poisoning pools and creeks, and appearing on the New Jersey shore just before a ship wreck Urban legends What do they tell us? How is the language metaphorical? Is any of it literal?