Communication, Meaning and Misconceptions

1. Why talk about language.- 2. Things and what you call them: are you talking about words or animals?.- 3. Do not take words too seriously - shouldn´t we really?.- 4. What does the word really mean? Look it up in the dictionary!.- 5. Meaning is imprecise - it will always be so!.- 6. Words are symbols and not signals - help and 'help!'.- 7. One more comment on words and definitions - stop complaining!.- 8. Define wisely or widely but not wildly - be reasonable!.- 9. Classifications cannot be right or wrong - Bach in Brazil.- 10. Words and emotions - "this drives me nuts".- 11. Framing - calling a dog an animal friend.- 12. Descriptions, inferences, and evaluations - how do you know this film is wonderful?.- 13. The dangerous verb 'be' - He lied but he is not a liar.- 14. Linguistic freedom, justice, democracy, and inequality - do we need a standard?.- 15. On the ladder of abstraction - about houses and structures.- 16. Hate speech - "he should be shot".- 17. Fake news - "fierce clashes in Peru".- 18. The power of advertisement - the best car ever.- 19. Miscellaneous - a little more for doctors, lawyers, and others.- 20. Poor Whoopi Goldberg.- 21. Conclusion: Beware of Words.