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Usenet Posted 22 years ago
Learning
Defining the word "tone" in interpersonal communication or "How to use a dictionary"
Hello. My husband and I grew up in the United States. Our only language is English I grew up in New York, he in Maryland. We live in Maryland.
Does/can the english definition of the word "tone" include "facial expression?
According to Mirriam Webster's collegiate dictionary, 10th edition: The 6th definition of the word "tone" is: style or manner of expression in speaking or writing.
Then I looked up the word "speaking" All were vocally related, so I looked up the word "speak" The 4th definition is: to indicate by other than verbal means
So, fiven these two definitions, could the word "tone" include facial expression? In otherwords, if I started screaming, and my husband said, Please change your tone, is it supposed to be understood that he wants me to change the expression on my face too?
If not, how am I misusing the dictionary?
Thanks, New
Does/can the english definition of the word "tone" include "facial expression?
According to Mirriam Webster's collegiate dictionary, 10th edition: The 6th definition of the word "tone" is: style or manner of expression in speaking or writing.
Then I looked up the word "speaking" All were vocally related, so I looked up the word "speak" The 4th definition is: to indicate by other than verbal means
So, fiven these two definitions, could the word "tone" include facial expression? In otherwords, if I started screaming, and my husband said, Please change your tone, is it supposed to be understood that he wants me to change the expression on my face too?
If not, how am I misusing the dictionary?
Thanks, New
Top answer
I guess it is a case of misusing the dictionary. The dictionary is not a mathematic literature, and there is no such implication that: since the 6th defition of speak implies facial expression, then it follows that the 4the defintion of tone shall include facial expression. See?
- I guess it is a case of misusing the dictionary.
- The dictionary is not a mathematic literature, and there is no such implication that: since the 6th defition of speak implies facial expression, then it follows that the 4the defintion of tone shall include facial expression.
- See?
- We shall consider the context of where the word 'tone' is used.
- In your example, I guess, 'tone' is referred to 'the pitch of a word often used to express differences of meaning' (According to Webster) Anthony [nq:1]Hello.
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3 Answers
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I guess it is a case of misusing the dictionary.
The dictionary is not a mathematic literature, and there is no such implication that: since the 6th defition of speak implies facial expression, then it follows that the 4the defintion of tone shall include facial expression. See?
We shall consider the context of where the word 'tone' is used. In your example, I guess, 'tone' is r
The dictionary is not a mathematic literature, and there is no such implication that: since the 6th defition of speak implies facial expression, then it follows that the 4the defintion of tone shall include facial expression. See?
We shall consider the context of where the word 'tone' is used. In your example, I guess, 'tone' is r
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As in "don't look at me in that tone of face" you mean?
Not a way I'd use the word, but you'll get plenty of response by posting to alt.english.usage or alt.usage.english.
DC Snowcat
Not a way I'd use the word, but you'll get plenty of response by posting to alt.english.usage or alt.usage.english.
DC Snowcat
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[nq:1]Hello. My husband and I grew up in the United States. Our only language is English I grew up in ... that he wants me to change the expression on my face too? If not, how am I misusing the dictionary?[/nq]
Meaning depends on context. In some contexts, "tone" refers to the voice or sounds, in others to colours and surfaces (etc.). The dictionary doesn't tell you which meaning applies in y
Meaning depends on context. In some contexts, "tone" refers to the voice or sounds, in others to colours and surfaces (etc.). The dictionary doesn't tell you which meaning applies in y
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