Transcript Language - Mr. Sokoloff`s Class Webpage

Welcome!
Warm up:
 Which theory about meaning
do you like the best and why?

Definition Theory

Denotation Theory

Image Theory
Write 4 lines minimum
04/07/10
Homework/announcements:
Work on dictionary.
Topic/Goals
•Explore the meaning of words.
•Analyze how the role Language
plays in knowing something
Today’s Agenda
1.Discus Warm up
2.Dictionary Project information
3.Wrap up
Welcome!
Oops, it’s 7:10, you
missed the warmup
04/07/10
Homework/announcements:
Work on dictionary.
Topic/Goals
•Explore the meaning of words.
•Analyze how the role Language
plays in knowing something
Today’s Agenda
1.Announcements
2.Discus Warm up
3.Dictionaries
4.Wrap up
Language - the problem:
Can you decide if something is true or not if you don’t know what
the word means?
For example: do you think it is true that all lifts should have a 2000
ton capacity?
Dictionary Assignment
Goal of assignment: How can we figure out what a word or statement really means?
The Assignment: Create a dictionary with 20 different words
Rules for the dictionary:

Definition for each word (what does it mean?)

Give a history of the word (where does the word come from? Every word came
from a root word…)

At least 2 Synonyms and slang words

Common Usage – How would someone use it in a sentence or in everyday life?


Must include the following words


Are there multiple ways one would use the word? (red pepper v. red traffic light)
pepper; Fast; Best; Tasty; hot; burn; chocolate; teacher
Work in groups of 4
Theories on Meaning
Definition theory
Try and explain the word using other words
Problem: using other words that are fuzzy and might
need to be defined
Denotation Theory:
Words stand or represent things from the real world; they are
classified using experiences.
for example: Mr. Sokoloff means me the teacher; NEHS
means the school that we all go to.
Problem: what happens if Mr. Sokoloff dies? Does the
meaning die with it? What about words like freedom?
How can you use the world to describe “freedom?”
Theories on Meaning
Image Theory
The meaning of the word is an image in your brain; if you
can picture it then that is the meaning…
Problem: how do I know you understand/see the same
word that I see in my head? How can things be
consistent?
This is similar to the problem with perception… how can we
“perceive the same thing?”
Are you sure you mean that?...
Be careful, you don’t want your dictionary to have…
 Vagueness
 Ambiguity
 Secondary meanings (or not account for secondary meanings)
 Connotation could also have metaphor or euphemisms
 Connotation – what the word refers to; Denotation – words it is
associated with.
 What does “liberty” mean to you?
 Metaphor
 “you have your head in the clouds”
 Ironry
Entries in Dictionary should be
consistent!
Lemon
Def:
A fruit that grows on a tree in typically tropical weather that has a
sour taste to it when bitten into it; usually yellow in color and varies
in size but typically does not weigh more than 20g
a pale yellow color
a person or thing that is poor quality or disappointing
History:
Person who first bit into this sour fruit came up with the name after
he yelped due to the sourness and disappointment of it. Often
people refer to disappointments similar to how people bit into the
lemon.
Synonyms or slang:
A dud; zero.
Common Usage
Boy, that car is a total lemon; please pick a lemon and make some
lemonade.
Goodbye
04/07/10
Questions?
Announcements:
none
Homework
Work on Dictionary
Assignment!
 Due on Friday
Welcome!
Warm up:
1. Get into groups of 4

This will be your group for
the dictionary project
2. As a group, create a list of the
20 words you want to use
3. On the list assign each person
5 words they are responsible
for
4. Hand in list to Mr. Sokoloff
Due: 7:20
04/09/10
Homework/announcements:
Work on dictionary.
Topic/Goals
•Prepare for Dictionary Project
•Explore the meaning of words.
•Analyze how the role Language
plays in knowing something
Today’s Agenda
1.Discus Warm up
2.Dictionary Project
3.Wrap up
Goodbye
04/08/10
Questions?
Comments?
Announcements:
none
Homework
Work on Dictionary Assignment!
 Due on Friday
Journal 1: confusion in language
 Describe a time you were
confused because of
language
 Use the concepts covered in
class so far to describe
how/why you became
confused
 How could a better
understanding of language
help you be more certain
next time.?