Aethist or Religious?

[shh!]

On the contrary, the multiple meanings of English words are listed in the dictionary. Maybe you should pull one out and have a look?

[anachronistic]

Which one shall I use? My unabridged English dictionary, my German/English dictionary, my Spanish/English dictionary, my Japanese/English dictionary, my Russian/English dictionary, my pocket reference dictionary, or my dashboard widget dictionary? Or should I go on urbandictionary.com, dictionary.com, or something else?

They're all within an arm's reach. Should I also say, that dictionaries don't dictate the meanings of words, but give a general sense of what they mean, from a literal sense. On the contrary, I'd like to just slap you with one of my dictionaries.

[Gribble]

Erm. Anachronistic, you really need to start picking up some books and reading. Seriously. You may know German like the back of your hand, but apparently you don't know English quite so well.

[anachronistic]

This is more about linguistics than it is English, Gribs.

I'm just pointing out the pointlessness in all this arguing over dictionary definitions.

Maybe I will just shut my mouth and paint a picture about this sad and pathetic realization.

[Gribble]

They're all within an arm's reach. Should I also say, that dictionaries don't dictate the meanings of words, but give a general sense of what they mean, from a literal sense. On the contrary, I'd like to just slap you with one of my dictionaries.

I cannot believe you would say that. Of all the things you've ever said, Cucumber thread included, this is the most absurd. DICTIONaries don't DICTATE the meanings of words? They're general? They just give a sense of what a word means? Oh, please. Words are every bit as important as meaning. They are what convey meaning. If you say one thing but mean another that's simply because you have a poor vocabulary. Don't blame the dictionaries or the people who look at you funny.

Words can be used in creative ways, sure, but not when it comes to debate, journalism, philosophy, etc.

[anachronistic]

I cannot believe you would say that. Of all the things you've ever said, Cucumber thread included, this is the most absurd. DICTIONaries don't DICTATE the meanings of words? They're general? They just give a sense of what a word means? Oh, please. Words are every bit as important as meaning. They are what convey meaning. If you say one thing but mean another that's simply because you have a poor vocabulary. Don't blame the dictionaries or the people who look at you funny.

Let us not forget sarcasm and innuendo!

Words do have a certain meaning in and of themselves, but it is the context which alters meaning, damnit. I am not arguing any further. I've taken the ****ing classes on this stuff.

And if you look at diction in the dictionary (hehe) it is the CHOICE of words and phrases

So much for that point.

And is the choice of words necessarily 'creative' or limited in creativity when it comes to certain topics.... to a point. There are so many idiomatic things that creativity has a place in every subject in English. If this weren't the case, people would be using Latin or Esperanto more often.

And **** this shit. Mocking my intelligence for holding a debate? You are unable of handling controversy. I'm done corresponding with your crummy debate.

[shh!]

You might want to sign up for an ESL class first?

[shh!]

I cannot believe you would say that. Of all the things you've ever said, Cucumber thread included, this is the most absurd.

Could you please define "absurd"? I know better than to trust the dictionary definition.

[anachronistic]

You might want to sign up for an ESL class first?

I'll let my school advisors, and professors, who are actually qualified to tell me which classes I should/should not take, tell me what I might be interested in taking.

In other words, **** off.

[ecojeanne]

you're being a bit rough on the poor chap....anachronistic knows what he's talking about....linguistics is a very complicated study of language like other sciences — is highly interdisciplinary and draws on work from such fields as psychology, informatics, computer science, philosophy, biology, human anatomy, neuroscience, sociology, anthropology, and acoustics.

involves

Phonetics, the study of the physical properties of speech (or signed) production and perception
Phonology, the study of sounds (adjusted appropriately for signed languages) as discrete, abstract elements in the speaker's mind that distinguish meaning
Morphology, the study of internal structures of words and how they can be modified
Syntax, the study of how words combine to form grammatical sentences
Semantics, the study of the meaning of words (lexical semantics) and fixed word combinations (phraseology), and how these combine to form the meanings of sentences
Pragmatics, the study of how utterances are used (literally, figuratively, or otherwise) in communicative acts
Discourse analysis, the analysis of language use in texts (spoken, written, or signed)


you have to be highly intelligent to study and complete the courses

[Gribble]

Yeah, context is important.

My dad tends to his car religiously. Every inch must sparkle. The oil must be changed every three thousand miles on the dot.

That example uses a specific meaning of the word religious, one you will find in any decent dictionary. There is also a specific definition which pertains to the context of this discussion before it got utterly derailed. You'll find it in the dictionary as well.

This ain't poetry we're writing here. Dictionaries aren't rough guidelines. They're the final go-to when folks are in disagreement.

[anachronistic]

What gives you the impression I want to use religion poetically?

[Mish]

I am tired so this is quick

1.)Yes

2.) Spiritual, I am sure you have heard that before.

1) How can they be Religious if they don't follow a Religion? It's like saying I'm a scientist, even though I don't do any research work and never did anything in the field, BUT I know the earth spins around the sun. I'm a scientist!

[bluesummer]

Anachronistic, you're a smart guy, but get off the high horse already. I've studied multiple languages too.....French, German, Spanish, Russian, Hindi, and Punjabi (which I can guarantee is harder than any language you've ever attempted to learn). I understand linguistics just as well as you, yet you're making it sound like you, at your tender young age, have a grasp on something that is beyond everyone's reach here. I wouldn't give yourself that much credit yet my dear, seriously.

OV was the one who decided he wanted to challenge the base definition of 'religion'. We weren't just discussing 'definitons', but also how our own personal spirituality or lack thereof plays into that definition.

Your rant was a little uncalled for.

[anachronistic]

Punjabi (which I can guarantee is harder than any language you've ever attempted to learn).

Right now I am learning Serbian in my freetime which is just as hard, if not harder.