Dillon, Denise (2010) People, environment, language and meaning: values in nature and the nature of 'values'. Language and Ecology , 3 (2). pp. 1-10.

Preview

PDF (Published Version) - Published Version Download (142kB)

Abstract

[Extract] The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (WTWHA) in Australia's North Queensland provides the real world social and applied context for considering an example of language dynamism. In its use as a social activity, language imbues the world with meaning, and in turn derives meaning, through interplay among language, thought and experience (Landauer and Dumais p211; Cruse p125). How people come to conceptualise complex words and ideas depends on different cultures and languages of use (including public, workplace and scientific subcultures and terminologies). As an added factor, certain expressions function as 'buzzwords' or 'catchphrases' to invoke an emotive reaction (Little 929). Whereas emotive language works for general communication, situations requiring precise meanings for shared terminologies might result in the dismissal of mistreated terms as poorly defined and inconsequential (Callicott, Crowder and Mumford p23; Hull et al. p11).

Item ID:	22077
Item Type:	Article (Non-Refereed Research)
Keywords:	natural values; culture, nature; environmental language and meaning
Date Deposited:	13 Jul 2012 05:44
FoR Codes:	20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2099 Other Language, Literature and Culture > 209999 Language, Communication and Culture not elsewhere classified @ 100%
SEO Codes:	95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9502 Communication > 950203 Languages and Literature @ 100%
Downloads:	Total: 289 Last 12 Months: 13
	More Statistics