Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote -2 down vote favorite

How is it called a communication technique which transforms our point of view by looking at the same situation from different perspectives, as it is described in sentences below?

“Your mother constantly interferes into your life.”

“Your mother would like to thus protect you.”

share|improve this question
Sorry but this not about the English language; certainly not linguistics. Could migrate. – Kris Apr 16 '12 at 17:41
@Kris - Could you clarify why this not ... ? Where might my question migrate? – Xavier Vidal Hernández Apr 16 '12 at 17:57
1  
To understand that, try asking the same Q. in another language -- any difference? You are likely find the right answers on literatureSE, for instance. – Kris Apr 16 '12 at 18:02
@Kris - Thank you. I try doing this. – Xavier Vidal Hernández Apr 16 '12 at 18:05

closed as off topic by Mitch, tchrist, Daniel δ, Cameron, Matt Эллен Oct 8 '12 at 14:52

Questions on English Language & Usage Stack Exchange are expected to relate to English language and usage within the scope defined in the FAQ. Consider editing the question or leaving comments for improvement if you believe the question can be reworded to fit within the scope. Read more about closed questions here.

3 Answers

up vote 2 down vote accepted

One such communication technique is called spin:

To present, describe, or interpret, or to introduce a bias or slant so as to give something a favorable or advantageous appearance.  (eg) ... "In every administration there will be spokesmen and public affairs officers who try to spin the news to make the President look good."

Note that "spinning" is indeed a technique intended to "transform our point of view"; it does so by putting forward the best possible interpretation from the speaker's point of view. "Spinning" is a non-neutral term, in that it suggests the speaker's motives may be selfish.

A near-synonym is slant:

A bias, tendency, or leaning; a perspective or angle. (eg) It was a well written article, but it had a bit of a leftist slant.

share|improve this answer
Thank you. I have two little question. Could we say 'spinning' to refer to the technique? Do you think that the question have nothing to do with English language? – Xavier Vidal Hernández Apr 16 '12 at 19:59
Umm, "spin" is normally understand to mean a manipulative technique for framing an idea in terms favorable to your side of a debate or disagreement. Like, "One of the leading members of our party has just been caught accepting a bribe. How can we spin this to not look so bad? Perhaps we can say ..." The term is not normally used for different points of view in cases that don't involve some sort of debate, almost always political debate. – Jay Apr 16 '12 at 21:14
@AngloSaxon, (a) Re 'spinning', I added a paragraph in answer. (b) Re "to do with English language", terminology and names of techniques seem to me to be questions about what words are appropriate. I don't understand Kris's comment. – jwpat7 Apr 16 '12 at 22:39
@jwpat7 I cannot see the paragraph you had added in answer regarding 'spinning.' Thank for the comment. – Xavier Vidal Hernández Apr 16 '12 at 22:50
@AngloSaxon, apparently my internet service was down - have re-sent the edit now – jwpat7 Apr 17 '12 at 0:49
up vote 1 down vote

I think the generic term is implicature - or in more common parlance, perhaps, the subtext.

Either of OP's examples could be said in the same situation, but

In the first, the implication is the speaker thinks the addressee should take steps to stop his mother from taking so much interest in his affairs.

In the second, the speaker approves of the mother's position, and wants the addressee to also be favourably disposed to her involvement.

share|improve this answer
up vote 0 down vote

I think in normal context this is simply called "point of view" or "viewpoint". As in, "Yes, I understand that you think your mother is interfering with your life, but you know, from her VIEWPOINT, she's trying to protect you." Or, "... from her POINT OF VIEW ...".

share|improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.