I.A.Richards (1893 – 1979) – the two uses of language – referential and emotive, statement and
pseudo-statement ; tenor and vehicle ; stock-response, supported by Podmeswar
Note: This note is only for conceptualisation, so read the main text.
I.A. Richards ‘The two use of language “Referential
and emotive”:
I.A. Richards
introduced his observation on language in his ‘Principle of Criticism’. He says that there is a psychological
process underlying the different uses of language. Language is used in two ways
as said by Richard.
By analysing the uses of
languages, Richard makes an important
observation that a statement may be used to make references, true or false; this is the scientific
use of language. Referential meant the language of expository prose. It
conveyed knowledge, economy and clarity of the relation of word or sign to
reference or object were essential.
Emotive language does not
concern itself with knowledge. It is used to stimulate attitudes, certain
states of awareness, interest and purpose. The language of arts is emotive, not
scientific. It is the store-house of our recorded values. Certain emotional
effects and certain attitudes are produced by emotional language in those whom
it addresses itself. This is the poetic use of language. We can say that poetry
uses languages emotively and connotatively while science uses it referentially
and denotatively.
According to Richards, the uses
of language shows us that the scientific way is precise, clear and matter of
fact, but in poetry, one can make use of fiction. In the scientific uses the
reference are true and logical, there is very little involvement of arts.
We may use a statement, true or
false in a scientific use of language but it may be used to create emotions and
attitudes. This is the emotive use of language. We use words scientifically or
for emotional attitudes when words are used to evoke attitudes without recourse
to references like musical phrases. In the scientific use of language, the
difference is fatal (failure) but in emotive language it is not so. In the
scientific use of language the references should be correct and the relation of
the references should be logical. In the emotive use of language, truth or
logical argument is not necessary; it may work as an obstacle. In attitudes due
to references should have this emotional interconnection and this has often no
connection with logical relations of the facts.
Statements and pseudo statement:
The
term ‘pseudo statement’ was invented by I.A. Richards in the essay, “Science and Poetry” (1926).
Poetry emotive language gives us
pseudo-statements which are not subject to factual verification but which are
valuable in organizing our attitudes, statements are made by poems as well but
now question what type of statement.
Richard proposes the concept of
pseudo-statements. It is meant to distinguish between the poetic statements and
the scientific statements where truth is a matter of verification understood in
the laboratory.
The effects on our feelings and
attitudes, determines the acceptance of the pseudo-statements are taken as true
if only they suit or serve some attitudes or link together attitudes. This kind
of truth is opposed to scientific truth.
While statements are judged by
whether they are true or false, pseudo-statements are judged only by their
effect in releasing or organising or impulses or attitudes- “Pseudo Statements
are essential to our lives. Some of the pseudo statements, which are pivotal
points in the organisation of the mind, have suddenly become impossible to
believe as for centuries they have been believed.”
Dear Students, for helping the others, tell your friends and share this website & posts/pages in Facebook/twitter & other media..
God Blessing you all, by Podmeswar, your dearest & nearest…….