Terminology and Semantics

Context

Inappropriate terminology is often the source of numerous confusions, imprecisions, and consequently, many misinterpretations. Choosing the right words, defining them carefully, and providing context is an essential step in transforming complex ideas into knowledge that is accessible to your audience.

The semantic and terminological aspects are crucial in the popularization or vulgarization of content because they directly influence the clarity, precision, and impact of the message on the audience. Here’s why:

Importance of Terminology: Precision and Credibility

In vulgarization, it is crucial to use accurate terms that faithfully reflect the concept being conveyed. Incorrect terminology can distort the meaning or introduce ambiguities. Example: In physics, confusing “energy” (a specific concept) with “force” can lead to confusion.

Simplifying Without Distorting

Terminology allows us to identify complex terms and adapt them for a non-specialist audience while staying true to the original concept.

Credibility

Using correct terminology demonstrates mastery of the subject, which builds the audience’s trust in the content being presented.

Importance of Semantics: Clarity and Accessibility

Adapting to Context and Audience

Semantics helps choose words and formulations that resonate with the audience’s prior experiences and knowledge. It allows the use of analogies, metaphors, or concrete examples to facilitate understanding. Example: Comparing neurons to “electrical wires” in the brain helps make their role more accessible.

In vulgarization, it is necessary to balance both: simplify complex terminology while considering the semantic nuances to convey content that is faithful, clear, and engaging.

Preventing Misunderstandings

In vulgarization, it is crucial to minimize misinterpretations. Attention to semantics helps clarify areas where a term could be ambiguous.

Misunderstandings

Now let’s explore how misunderstandings arise. Theoretical models of communication between two people generally consider communication successful when the message sent is identical to the message received. While this may seem extremely basic, many circumstances can alter a message between the sender and the receiver. The first and perhaps most important is subjectivity. Both the sender and the receiver necessarily have different versions of the interaction, and also a different understanding of the words being used [1]. This is especially true for terms related to feelings or emotions.

Interpretation

Imagine for a moment that I say to you, “This situation is really surprising.” You might deduce that I am surprised. Fine. But am I surprised positively, amazed, stunned? Surprised negatively, disappointed, frustrated? Deeply surprised, disoriented, confused? No one can tell based on this simple sentence. Or rather, each person will read and interpret this sentence through the lens of their own experiences and understanding of the word “surprising.” And this type of situation has an inevitable consequence: misunderstanding [1].

Language Is Made of Differences

According to Michaël Oustinoff, a researcher in translation studies: “Contrary to a common belief, language is not made to transmit a univocal content, in an ‘immediate,’ ‘clear,’ and ’transparent’ manner, because it is made only of differences” [2].

Language and Emotional State

Our language seems to reflect our emotional states. A team of scientists from the University of Pittsburgh recently showed that a larger vocabulary for describing negative emotions and feelings is associated with weaker psychological and physical health. Conversely, using more terms to describe positive emotions is a sign of good health.

Explore the various sources to deepen our articles.

[1] Servais, C., & Servais, V. (2009). Le malentendu comme structure de la communication.
[2] Oustinoff, M. (2019). Le langage est l’instrument du malentendu. Hermès, La Revue, 2(2), 52-56.
[3] Thomas, J. (2010). Pathologies sociales de la communication. Lectures.