Can the use of tone bias the interpretation of the rhetoric?

Question

I believe that it can but maybe I am wrong so I would like other people's input. Thanks.

Answer 1

Yes and no. In the way you mean it, yes, tone can definitely change the way one interprets "rhetoric"--sarcasm is the obvious example, where tone, in essence, carries all of the meaning.

But under a more typical (in the field of rhetoric) definition of rhetoric, then the question doesn't quite make sense, because tone is a part of rhetoric. Rhetoric (expression and interpretation in this case) is composed of many things, including tone, perceived reputation and background of the speaker, context, setting, identity and mental state of the listener, etc. All of these things together lead to differences in interpretation.

Answer 2

Tone can definitely do that. Here's a little example:
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A linguistics professor was lecturing to his class one day. "In English," he said, "A double negative forms a positive.

"In some languages, though, such as Russian, a double negative is still a negative.

"However, there is no language wherein a double positive can form a negative."

A voice from the back of the room piped up, "Yeah, right."
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As you can see, even with a double positive, it turned out to be negative because of the student's tone. (if you've read it as being a sarcartic remark) XD

But just try it in another tone, like as if you've just realized something. It gets the meaning it's supposed to, i.e. the positive!

Hope this helped!

Answer 3

Yes, of course it can. Tone affects the interpretation of all forms of communication, especially in art!

Answer 4

Yes it can. Thats why you have to be careful of your wording when online. Because people can't hear your tone and its hard to convey on a keyboard.

Answer 5

Yes.

Answer 6

Yes. I could say anything, and with my tone make it sarcastic.

Answer 7

Of course it can. It's the part that does the convincing!

Answer 8

Nope..

Answer 9

No........