Language, Connotations, Denotations

**Marshal Murat** · 12-31-2005, 05:46

I was wondering if there was a science to language and its manipulation. Specifically the manipulation of words to make it more acceptable or degrading.
I would enjoy links, books, and otherwise that would inform me to this issue.

**Del Arroyo** · 12-31-2005, 09:25

While I'm sure you could dream up a science for just about anything, language in its practice tends to be pretty much an intuitive affair. As far as the art of communication, or of lying or manipulation, yeah, I'm sure there are some books on this.

DA

**Mr White** · 12-31-2005, 10:00

I could be wrong but isn't the study of language called linguistics or something like that?

**L'Impresario** · 01-01-2006, 01:07

Try a search for semiotics;)
(Sorry I'm a bit bored at the moment to delve further into it)

EDIT: Though linguists like Ferdinand de Saussure are the ones responsible for its birth and actual development.

**LeftEyeNine** · 01-01-2006, 06:58

IMO, linguistics must have a sub-topic concentrated on such a subject. I don't see it likely to happen to have a particular branch of science on that, though.

**Atilius** · 01-01-2006, 08:53

Originally Posted by L'Impresario

Try a search for semiotics;)

Semiotics is the study of systems of symbols or signs - probably too abstract. What you're looking for Marshal, sounds a lot like propaganda, advertising, or public relations to me.

**Papewaio** · 01-04-2006, 01:49

NLP... Neurolinguistic Programming
NLC ...Neurolinguistic Conditioning

Pros

Cons

For a more 'scientific' set of ideas logic itself embraces the study of language manipulation.