We’ve all heard that expression when two people are saying the same thing but differently. So what difference does it really make which words are said?
The way you might say something to someone may have a impact on their reaction. There are even intensive studies done on semantics to help advertising and marketing efforts.
Definition of SEMANTICS
1: the study of meanings:
a : the historical and psychological study and the classification of changes in the signification of words or forms viewed as factors in linguistic development
b (1) : semiotic (2) : a branch of semiotic dealing with the relations between signs and what they refer to and including theories of denotation, extension, naming, and truth
2: general semantics : a doctrine and educational discipline intended to improve habits of response of human beings to their environment and one another especially by training in the more critical use of words and other symbols
3a : the meaning or relationship of meanings of a sign or set of signs; especially : connotative meaning
b : the language used (as in advertising or political propaganda) to achieve a desired effect on an audience especially through the use of words with novel or dual meanings
Except for maybe a marketing campaign or pitching to an editor, how can we, as authors, use semantics in our writing?
You can set your character’s personality or possibly their mood with the way they speak to others. Imagine the guest coming into the home, sitting at the dinner table and saying “Give me the apple”; now imagine another quest sitting at the same table saying “That apple looks delicious, I’d really like it”. Both characters said the same thing and neither one asked, they each want the apple, but one was rude and pushy, the other polite and gentle.
Aside from the reactions of the other characters in your story, how do you think your reader will respond. Dinner guest number one was rude, pushy and probably used to getting her way; dinner guest two sounded polite and possibly a bit hungry and hopeful. You just started building your character’s personality.
When you speak in your character’s voce, you will want to say things THE WAY your character would and keep it consistent. However when you dramatically change the way your character speaks (uncharacteristic) you might be setting the tone for a mood change, trauma or crisis – if your character is always patient and polite, but then suddenly is sour and thoughtless, it might be that something bad has happened to them.
Use the wording carefully, remember that the same thing can be said in many different ways, use the way your character talks to paint a picture. If you want your character to appeal to a specific target then use wording, phrases and mannerisms accepted to that market.
Study as well the accepted speech patterns for different ethnic and regional origins. For instance many Americans may be labeled brash and loud. While the man from the heart of a big, bustling metropolis may sound overbearing, but another from the deep south would seem more patient and polite.
Use distinct speech patterns for each of your characters and each character will have their own unique flavor.
Writing exercise: Imagine that you are holding something in your hands, it should be something pleasant for you (a small cuddly pet, a beautiful piece of jewelry, a book, etc). Describe the feeling you have to someone else. Let them know what you are holding without saying what it is, be sure to include what you feel while you are holding this item.
Writing prompt: Make five sets of random word groups – they don’t have to be related, they should just be random. You might listen to a newscast or a series of television commercials, or people watch and jot down words they make you think of. You might even open a book and pick out words. Take these random groups and use each word in the same sentence. Force your brain to think creatively when you compel it to connect otherwise abstract thoughts.
