A theory I have been working on

[He-ather]

call it the Word Circulation Theory
I have hypothesized that each persons unique vocabulary (by vocabulary I mean the collection of all words/phrases one knows and recognizes) is divided into two "compartments", the "active vocabulary" which consists of words/phrases commomnly used in one's everyday speech, thought, or writing; and an "inactive vocabulary" which contains words/phrases one recognizes and understands but doesn't neccesarily use all that often or maybe even close to not at all. In this theory most people's "active vocabularies" although unique, overlap to some extent making for a collection or pool of words one hears on a day to day basis. Ofcourse the part of one's a.v. (active vocabulary) that is not overlapped is to some extent unique to him or her. Now when two people who have somewhat different a.v.s, and converse, a few things may or may not happen. Let us call these two A and B.
1.A may use a word or phrase located in B's i.v. (inactive vocabulary). This may result in B being subconsciously "reminded" of this word or phrase causing it transfer from B's i.v. to B's a.v. (Ofcourse the same thing may happen to A)
2. A may use a word or phrase they both have thier a.v.s and nothing will result except the word/phrase will almost undoubtedly remain in both people's a.v.s.
3.A may usae a word/phrase B does not recognize in which case B may ask what it means, and upon A's definition, it will be stored in the active vocabulary(for however short a time that may be). (Ofcourse the same thing may happen to A)

The results of this conversation are where the title of this theory, The Word Circulation Theory, come into play. I have observed numerous times that when for example A says something that would cause a subconscious "reminder" of that word to B, B will many times use that word in a conversation later that day in a conversation with another person we will call C, and then depending on C's a.v and i.v., the process described above may start all over again. How long the "reminded word" stays in, for example, B's a.v., depends, ofcourse, on the person his or self,and the context and subject in which and of the word is used.


So what do you think? Any suggestions on how I could tweak it?
A theory similar to this hasn't already been published by someone has it? :confused:
Please Reply!

[Natasia_Vae]

That's really interesting, it makes sense too. I've never heard a theory like it mentioned before.

[EveningStar]

You should look into epistemology. There are studies done on how vocabulary is transmitted because it helps us understand how the organic process of linguistic evolution takes place. Like for instance the development of the two great Indo-European groups the Centum and Satem language trunks.

[Rhyanidd]

Tis a very intresting theory, and I've not heard of anything like it. And now that I think of it, it has happend to me.

[EveningStar]

I developed the Theory of Arousal Energy Flow.

When you are angry, you get relief through the use of KINETIC words, short words with hard consonents including plosives, dentals and labials. That's why so many curses and words describing attacks and crimes are short words with hard consonents. They expend pent up emotional arousal because they require a sudden hard physical effort. KICK, BEAT, STAB, SLAM, yes even the word CUSS. You STEAL, KILL, and ROB.

When you want to suppress emotional involvement or have a calming effect you use POTENTIAL words, long words with soft consonents, fricatives, etc. They provide a tone of distancing for handling emotionally difficult topics or topics requiring calm consideration. Think MONUMENTAL, ELOCUTION, DELIVERY, ADJUDICATION. These words suppress emotional arousal by requiring concentration, sustained effort, and non-aggressive word structures. People ACQUIRE, PREVAIL, and act BENEVOLENTLY.

Languages evolve to prefer words that are useful for setting the proper emotional tone through their kinetic and potential qualities. The point of these means of focusing and dispersing arousal energy is to satisfy the desire to maintain homeostasis.

There are other factors in the theory too such as sentence length, distance of subject from verb, and whatnot. Too much to go into here. Anyhow, it's anthropology in action.

John B.

[He-ather]

very interesting I like your Theory of Arousal Energy Flow!

I'll google epistemology right away.
--very interesting

[narniarox]

Wouldn't you think that a more simple way to put it would be perhaps this: the way our conscious (or subconscious sometimes) notes and learns certain things within the realm of communication and language? Really, this almost seems to be more scientific that philosophical.

[He-ather]

i didn't know where else to post it

[HarryPevensiePotterGirl!!]

I also have a theory. I call it the theory of Vocabulary Selection. My theory is that people have words they know and words they don't know. When someone hears and understands a word they previously did not know, it becomes a word they know. Once it is a word in that person's vocabulary, they are free to use it at will. But sometimes people hear a new word and think they understand what it means, but they are wrong. When they use the word incorrectly, they can determine by people's responses that the word is being used incorrectly and they can put it back into the set of words they don't know until they figure out what it means.

What do you think?