The document discusses key areas of language that are important for critical thinking: word choice, ambiguity, definition, and intensity. It provides examples of how word choice can influence thought and behavior. Ambiguous language can cause confusion and lead to overgeneralization. Definition examines denotative and connotative meaning as well as operational, example-based, negation-based, and etymological definitions. Intensity of language discusses using respectful language without negatively raising emotional levels.

1. Language and Critical
Thinking
Valerie Salgado-Ho

2. A good critical thinker uses language that
meets the needs the expectation of the
audience and is appropriate to….
TIME PLACE
PERSON OCCASION

3. AREAS OF LANGUAGE
IMPORTANT TO CRITICAL
THINKING
WORD CHOICE
AMBIGUITY
DEFINITION
INTENSITY

4. WORD CHOICE
The Whorf-Sapir Hypothesis
Thoughts and behaviors are determined and
influenced by language
Words of a particular language help to
determine the way people interpret events that
occurs

5. WORD CHOICE
William Haviland
“language is not simply an encoding process for
voicing our ideas and needs but is rather a
shaping process that, by providing habitual
grooves of expression which predispose people
to see the world in a certain way, guides their
thinking and behavior…”

6. AMBIGUITY
Arguers selecting ambiguous language run the
risk of being misunderstood and face rejection of
their advocated point of view.
EUPHEMISM A less direct term used in the place of a more
specific term which may be considered offensive
Domestic Engineer Housewife
Sanitation Worker Janitor
Strict Cruel

7. AMBIGUITY
 Ambiguous language can cause confusion
The use of phrases such as “new and improved” to create
ambiguity and interpret as the needs of different
audiences warrant.
 Ambiguous language can lead to over generalizing and
stereotyping
Classification and generalization such as “students don’t
care about learning” creates an ambiguity ceasing
individuality.
 Ambiguous language can lead to bypassing
The use of different same words to mean different things or
different words to represent the same things.

8. DEFINITION
Denotative Meaning
Refers to the way a word is generally
used or the meaning that people most
frequently attach to a word
Connotative Meaning
Refers to the way a person emotionally
responds to it

9. DEFINITION
Operational Definition Functional or operational, what the words mean?
Definition by Example Citing specific instances of that word or phrase
Definition by Negation Tells us what a word or phrase is not
Definition by Etymology Citing its historical roots or point of origination
Special Definition The use of slang and colloquialism

10. INTENSITY OF
LANGUAGE
 The use of words and phrases that often
negatively raise the emotional level of any
communication encounter
Language that demonstrate irreverence,
contempt or disrespect towards other groups of
people or religious belief
 Language that is coarse, vulgar, obscene or
offensive

11. INTENSITY OF
LANGUAGE
Being cautious
Fat…. is being a
Ugly…. coward
Stupid…
Strong emotive words
Negative evaluative words
Name calling…
Insults…
Swear words….
Abusive language