Is it true that words are emotive?

Question

Do spoken words create particular emotions in human beings. If we use different words that convey the same kind of meaning, will it create different emotions in us or others because we used different words to convey the meaning.

I guess there are many words to which most people in general would respond in more or less the same way. I believe, although I'm not fully sure, that there may be many commonalities among people in the way they perceive words.

Answer 1

No. We create emotions in ourselves. It's the meaning we each place on every specific word at any given time that give them their emotional context within ourselves. The way I view a certain word will vary from the way others do. Otherwise, everyone would laugh at the same jokes the same way, feel the same emotions concerning every bit of poetry, like the same songs, etc.

When you were a kid if you thought there was a monster in your closet, then the word 'closet' might have elicited fear in you, because that is the meaning you applied to it. All grown up you no longer place that meaning on it, so it doesn't elicit the emotion of fear.

Also, if someone called you 'lazy' but used the French word for it, and you didn't speak French, then you are going to react to the word differently than if you did. When you apply the meaning to a word you also apply how you react to that word at that time.

Nobody makes you do anything, including how you feel. Only you.

Edit: Words are meant to be a form by which to communicate with each other, so there is going to be a commonality (or should be) in what the word means from person to person. However, the intellectual meaning of a word isn't the same thing as the emotion a person attaches to that word. And the emotion attached to it doesn't have to be felt in the same way for each person.

Answer 2

Yes. Words are powerful. They express emotion & affect us deeply. That is why certain words are used for dramatic effect. Sometimes a harsh sounding obscenity screamed at the top of your lungs like "F&^%!" (when you stub your toe, etc) gets the feeling across better than saying "oh darn!" I tend to swear when I'm angry. It just feels right.
Words can melt someone (I love you), hurt someone (I hate you), make (you look beautiful) or ruin (have you put on weight?)their day. They say "sticks & stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me" but words do hurt. It takes a very tough person not to be affected by what others say. Verbal abuse is still abuse and can actually cause more damage than physical abuse. The scars are inside and may never heal. I was called "ugly" as a child. It stayed with me, even years later when I was a model, even after thousands of compliments. I always felt like the ugly duckling, even after being told I became a beautiful swan. Some people suffer years of verbal abuse from family & it cripples them emotionally. If you hear something all the time, you come to believe it about yourself & it affects your whole life. The important thing is to use positive words about yourself & your life & not listen to the negative...

Answer 3

Words themselfs are not emotive, for they are just a way for us to universally convey our feelings. But the meanings behind words are indeed emotive.

Answer 4

It is our own interpretation of the words that brings forth any emotions/visions/thoughts. Anything and everything can be emotive...a smell/sound/sighting, the written word or spoken word.

Answer 5

I think some words have more impact than their synonyms. For example, "war" is more dramatic than "conflict", "fight", "battle" etc. I suppose it is a subjective experience, but there is significant evidence that emotivity of words affects cognitive processing - see Stroop test research.

Answer 6

Yes. (Your selection of words invokes the image of a intelligent, caring person, see?)

Answer 7

I think so. I've been thinking that same thing since forever. Finally someone thinks the same as me.

Answer 8

see there your very sincere words caused me to be irritated. Ofcourse they do. and you should have knownthat. . when I could have just said yes.

Answer 9

it depends on what words they are and how one pronounces them

Answer 10

yes