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spangle18
spangle18 (Rank: Bachelor)

What does the term "semantic noise" mean?

To me it means: when you know what you want to say/write but can find the right words/phrase to express yourself. Hence it comes our rather rubbish. Just like the last sentence.

Semantic noise is the bane of my life.

[I hope the real meaning is similar otherwise I've just made myself look stupid]

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Asked in semantic noise asked on: 07/24/2008 07:40pm
closed on: 07/31/2008 07:40pm

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wrestlingfan420

wrestlingfan420

Rank: Student (273)

8 minutes after the question was opened (07/24/2008 07:48pm)

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Here is the definition of semantic noise:


Of the various forms of noise, semantic noise may be the most common and difficult to define. It can best be described as particular diction or syntax that leads to confusion or misinterpretation of the intended message. One reason semantic noise is so widespread is how easily it can extend to written language. For example, the reader may perceive this article to be correct if it is written well enough, though that has little to do with the content. However, a person using language this formal in casual conversation may seem a bit strange. Semantic noise often takes the form of disrespectful or outdated terminology that offends a particular group or demographic. It also occurs with words or phrases that mean different things to different people. Indeed, semantic noise occurs to some extent or another in almost all forms of verbal communication

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Poindexter

Poindexter

Rank: Doctorate (2,222)

72 minutes after the question was opened (07/24/2008 08:52pm)

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There are syntax and semantics. Syntax is the form, the medium and semantics the content, the message.
I understand syntactic noise instantly, it describes the difficulty of getting the message across the medium.
Semantic noise -- depends on the context. If someone would accuse someone of producing semantic noise, they'd probably mean that what they're saying is total BS.
Your example: I'd say that you're describing syntactic noise.
And I find both terms a bit hoity-toity.

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Messerwisser

Messerwisser

Rank: Albert Einstein (18,494)

12 hours after the question was opened (07/25/2008 07:31am)

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'Can' or 'can not' makes the difference ;-)

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