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What is the linguistic explanation of the phenomenon in “affirmative action�
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The phrase "affirmative action" does not tell you what it is about. Even though the literal meaning of this phrase can be very broad (in theory it could be referring to affirmative action of achieving anything), but it is commonly used to refer to a very specific kind of affirmative action. What really matters is the specifics, which is the core meaning of the phrase but not captured within the phrase. For someone who does not know the context of the discussion, the phrase can be very confusing.
It is kind of like using the word "dog" refer to a specific kind of dog. And then in the whole public discussion of that specific kind of dog, it never has a specific name, just called "dog". This is not a good example, but hope you know what I mean.
Is there a linguistic term for this kind of phenomenon? What are the other examples of this kind of usage?
terminology
asked Aug 11 at 14:14
Jfly
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up vote
4
down vote
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The phrase "affirmative action" does not tell you what it is about. Even though the literal meaning of this phrase can be very broad (in theory it could be referring to affirmative action of achieving anything), but it is commonly used to refer to a very specific kind of affirmative action. What really matters is the specifics, which is the core meaning of the phrase but not captured within the phrase. For someone who does not know the context of the discussion, the phrase can be very confusing.
It is kind of like using the word "dog" refer to a specific kind of dog. And then in the whole public discussion of that specific kind of dog, it never has a specific name, just called "dog". This is not a good example, but hope you know what I mean.
Is there a linguistic term for this kind of phenomenon? What are the other examples of this kind of usage?
terminology
asked Aug 11 at 14:14
Jfly
1232
Not a full answer (only examples) so, this a comment: When I was in grade school, the word "attitude" was neutral. You could have a good attitude or a bad attitude. Some time in the early 1980s I noticed it took on a negative connotation, as in "He has an attitude" meant that someone had a bad attitude. Another example is "accessibility," which, in web design, has taken on the meaning of making web pages not generally accessible over the Internet, but making features & content more accessible to individuals with disabilities. (adobe.com/accessibility/gettingstarted.html)
– Randall Stewart
Aug 11 at 22:17
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
The phrase "affirmative action" does not tell you what it is about. Even though the literal meaning of this phrase can be very broad (in theory it could be referring to affirmative action of achieving anything), but it is commonly used to refer to a very specific kind of affirmative action. What really matters is the specifics, which is the core meaning of the phrase but not captured within the phrase. For someone who does not know the context of the discussion, the phrase can be very confusing.
It is kind of like using the word "dog" refer to a specific kind of dog. And then in the whole public discussion of that specific kind of dog, it never has a specific name, just called "dog". This is not a good example, but hope you know what I mean.
Is there a linguistic term for this kind of phenomenon? What are the other examples of this kind of usage?
terminology
asked Aug 11 at 14:14
Jfly
1232
The phrase "affirmative action" does not tell you what it is about. Even though the literal meaning of this phrase can be very broad (in theory it could be referring to affirmative action of achieving anything), but it is commonly used to refer to a very specific kind of affirmative action. What really matters is the specifics, which is the core meaning of the phrase but not captured within the phrase. For someone who does not know the context of the discussion, the phrase can be very confusing.
It is kind of like using the word "dog" refer to a specific kind of dog. And then in the whole public discussion of that specific kind of dog, it never has a specific name, just called "dog". This is not a good example, but hope you know what I mean.
Is there a linguistic term for this kind of phenomenon? What are the other examples of this kind of usage?
terminology
asked Aug 11 at 14:14
Jfly
1232
asked Aug 11 at 14:14
Jfly
1232
asked Aug 11 at 14:14
Jfly
1232
asked Aug 11 at 14:14
Jfly
1232
1232
Not a full answer (only examples) so, this a comment: When I was in grade school, the word "attitude" was neutral. You could have a good attitude or a bad attitude. Some time in the early 1980s I noticed it took on a negative connotation, as in "He has an attitude" meant that someone had a bad attitude. Another example is "accessibility," which, in web design, has taken on the meaning of making web pages not generally accessible over the Internet, but making features & content more accessible to individuals with disabilities. (adobe.com/accessibility/gettingstarted.html)
– Randall Stewart
Aug 11 at 22:17
add a comment |Â
Not a full answer (only examples) so, this a comment: When I was in grade school, the word "attitude" was neutral. You could have a good attitude or a bad attitude. Some time in the early 1980s I noticed it took on a negative connotation, as in "He has an attitude" meant that someone had a bad attitude. Another example is "accessibility," which, in web design, has taken on the meaning of making web pages not generally accessible over the Internet, but making features & content more accessible to individuals with disabilities. (adobe.com/accessibility/gettingstarted.html)
– Randall Stewart
Aug 11 at 22:17
Not a full answer (only examples) so, this a comment: When I was in grade school, the word "attitude" was neutral. You could have a good attitude or a bad attitude. Some time in the early 1980s I noticed it took on a negative connotation, as in "He has an attitude" meant that someone had a bad attitude. Another example is "accessibility," which, in web design, has taken on the meaning of making web pages not generally accessible over the Internet, but making features & content more accessible to individuals with disabilities. (adobe.com/accessibility/gettingstarted.html)
– Randall Stewart
Aug 11 at 22:17
Not a full answer (only examples) so, this a comment: When I was in grade school, the word "attitude" was neutral. You could have a good attitude or a bad attitude. Some time in the early 1980s I noticed it took on a negative connotation, as in "He has an attitude" meant that someone had a bad attitude. Another example is "accessibility," which, in web design, has taken on the meaning of making web pages not generally accessible over the Internet, but making features & content more accessible to individuals with disabilities. (adobe.com/accessibility/gettingstarted.html)
– Randall Stewart
Aug 11 at 22:17
add a comment |Â
1 Answer
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5
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This phenomenon is called Specialization, a process in which a lexical term decreases in scope.
There are five basic Grammaticalization processes that you may find interesting to learn about.
Quite often, Euphemisms use neutral or generic words to mask taboo topics or profanity. Quoting the Wikipedia article linked above,
Affirmative action, meaning a preference for minorities or the historically disadvantaged, usually in employment or academic admissions. This term is sometimes said to be a euphemism for reverse discrimination, or in the UK positive discrimination, which suggests an intentional bias that might be legally prohibited, or otherwise unpalatable.
The Specialization can be combined with the adoption of a loanword. One example is that in Ukrainian, we have a generic word for dog, /sobaka/. However, a certain breed of dogs, Great Dane (plus several others) are called literally /dog/.
answered Aug 11 at 14:32
bytebuster
5,90952450
add a comment |Â
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
This phenomenon is called Specialization, a process in which a lexical term decreases in scope.
There are five basic Grammaticalization processes that you may find interesting to learn about.
Quite often, Euphemisms use neutral or generic words to mask taboo topics or profanity. Quoting the Wikipedia article linked above,
Affirmative action, meaning a preference for minorities or the historically disadvantaged, usually in employment or academic admissions. This term is sometimes said to be a euphemism for reverse discrimination, or in the UK positive discrimination, which suggests an intentional bias that might be legally prohibited, or otherwise unpalatable.
The Specialization can be combined with the adoption of a loanword. One example is that in Ukrainian, we have a generic word for dog, /sobaka/. However, a certain breed of dogs, Great Dane (plus several others) are called literally /dog/.
answered Aug 11 at 14:32
bytebuster
5,90952450
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
This phenomenon is called Specialization, a process in which a lexical term decreases in scope.
There are five basic Grammaticalization processes that you may find interesting to learn about.
Quite often, Euphemisms use neutral or generic words to mask taboo topics or profanity. Quoting the Wikipedia article linked above,
Affirmative action, meaning a preference for minorities or the historically disadvantaged, usually in employment or academic admissions. This term is sometimes said to be a euphemism for reverse discrimination, or in the UK positive discrimination, which suggests an intentional bias that might be legally prohibited, or otherwise unpalatable.
The Specialization can be combined with the adoption of a loanword. One example is that in Ukrainian, we have a generic word for dog, /sobaka/. However, a certain breed of dogs, Great Dane (plus several others) are called literally /dog/.
answered Aug 11 at 14:32
bytebuster
5,90952450
add a comment |Â
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
up vote
5
down vote
accepted
This phenomenon is called Specialization, a process in which a lexical term decreases in scope.
There are five basic Grammaticalization processes that you may find interesting to learn about.
Quite often, Euphemisms use neutral or generic words to mask taboo topics or profanity. Quoting the Wikipedia article linked above,
Affirmative action, meaning a preference for minorities or the historically disadvantaged, usually in employment or academic admissions. This term is sometimes said to be a euphemism for reverse discrimination, or in the UK positive discrimination, which suggests an intentional bias that might be legally prohibited, or otherwise unpalatable.
The Specialization can be combined with the adoption of a loanword. One example is that in Ukrainian, we have a generic word for dog, /sobaka/. However, a certain breed of dogs, Great Dane (plus several others) are called literally /dog/.
answered Aug 11 at 14:32
bytebuster
5,90952450
This phenomenon is called Specialization, a process in which a lexical term decreases in scope.
There are five basic Grammaticalization processes that you may find interesting to learn about.
Quite often, Euphemisms use neutral or generic words to mask taboo topics or profanity. Quoting the Wikipedia article linked above,
Affirmative action, meaning a preference for minorities or the historically disadvantaged, usually in employment or academic admissions. This term is sometimes said to be a euphemism for reverse discrimination, or in the UK positive discrimination, which suggests an intentional bias that might be legally prohibited, or otherwise unpalatable.
The Specialization can be combined with the adoption of a loanword. One example is that in Ukrainian, we have a generic word for dog, /sobaka/. However, a certain breed of dogs, Great Dane (plus several others) are called literally /dog/.
answered Aug 11 at 14:32
bytebuster
5,90952450
edited Aug 11 at 20:12
answered Aug 11 at 14:32
bytebuster
5,90952450
answered Aug 11 at 14:32
bytebuster
5,90952450
answered Aug 11 at 14:32
bytebuster
5,90952450
5,90952450
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
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Not a full answer (only examples) so, this a comment: When I was in grade school, the word "attitude" was neutral. You could have a good attitude or a bad attitude. Some time in the early 1980s I noticed it took on a negative connotation, as in "He has an attitude" meant that someone had a bad attitude. Another example is "accessibility," which, in web design, has taken on the meaning of making web pages not generally accessible over the Internet, but making features & content more accessible to individuals with disabilities. (adobe.com/accessibility/gettingstarted.html)
– Randall Stewart
Aug 11 at 22:17