i'm working on some english/reading work for school and i got confused by it.
2006-10-03 17:25:07 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
A language construct, such as a word or a question, is said to be loaded if it carries meaning or implications beyond its strict definition (its denotation).
Loaded words are words or phrases which have strong emotional overtones or connotations and which evoke strongly positive (or negative) reactions far beyond the specific meaning of the word which is listed in the dictionary.
2006-10-03 17:27:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Loaded" words are words that are likely to incite a conflict because they are hurtful and usually cause a negative or defensive reaction, stretching far beyond the dictionary definition.
Example:
"plant" is a primarily descriptive term. "Weed", in contrast, has essentially the same descriptive meaning as "plant", but a negative evaluative meaning, as well. A weed is a plant of which we disapprove.
Another example would be "Beast" as the loaded word instead of "animal." Beast sounds meaner, could cause great harm.
A concentration camp is a term that literally just refers to a camp in which many people are "concentrated" in one area. There is nothing inherently evil about the term, but it is now seen as synonymous with the death camps of Nazi Germany.
2006-10-04 00:47:34 · answer #2 · answered by Riviera_ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A word or phrase is "loaded" when it has a secondary, evaluative meaning in addition to its primary, descriptive meaning. When language is "loaded", it is loaded with its evaluative meaning. A loaded word is like a loaded gun, and its evaluative meaning is the bullet.
Unloaded: Plant
Loaded: Weed
Unloaded: Animal
Loaded: Beast
While few words have no evaluative overtones, "plant" is a primarily descriptive term. "Weed", in contrast, has essentially the same descriptive meaning as "plant", but a negative evaluative meaning, as well. A weed is a plant of which we disapprove.
2006-10-04 00:29:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Loaded words ---
Words that arouse strong feelings are said to have connotations or emotional overtones. Connotations involve positive or negative feelings. For example, the word dwelling is fairly neutral (arouses no feelings), but the following synonyms for dwelling have connotations that make them loaded: shack (negative), palace (positive), home (positive).
2006-10-04 00:30:23 · answer #4 · answered by The Count 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe a loaded word is one that is liable to evoke much emotion and feed-back.
2006-10-04 00:32:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of a troublesome or hidden meaning- maybe? That is the definition I have. Look in your dictionary- maybe it will have another.
2006-10-04 00:28:24 · answer #6 · answered by tbaby 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋