My wife and I were reviewing some virtual discussions and she pointed out the difference between 'connotation' and 'denotation (see defintion below).
It struck me as something worth noting here (from my own reference as much as any readers who pass by).
A connotation is a commonly understood cultural or emotional association that some word or phrase carries, in addition to the word's or phrase's explicit or literal meaning, which is its denotation.
A connotation is frequently described as either positive or negative, with regards to its pleasing or displeasing emotional connection. For example, a stubborn person may be described as being either strong-willed or pig-headed; although these have the same literal meaning (stubborn), strong-willed connotes admiration for the level of someone's will (a positive connotation), while pig-headed connotes frustration in dealing with someone (a negative connotation).
source: Wikipedia
My wife's point was that a careful selection of words - with the same meaning - can lead to a more favorable (ie rational) response.
Given my overdeveloped literal mindedness, this thought should help me to understand some of the reactions that I face in my online discussions.
Cheers!
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