ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-CORE-243-019 · ATLAS 251

Misunderstanding

A divergence between the meaning intended or suggested by an utterance and the interpretation actually reached.

Explanation

A divergence between the meaning intended or suggested by an utterance and the interpretation actually reached. It shows that understanding is a cooperative hypothesis about words, situations, and knowledge and may fail when presuppositions differ.

Example

An ironic agreement is understood as sincere consent in an unfamiliar cultural context.

Counterexample

Merely mentioning “Misunderstanding” without the described function is not a sufficient example.

Distinction

Not every disagreement is a misunderstanding; one may understand the same statement and still reject it.

Effect on thought and perception

It shows that understanding is a cooperative hypothesis about words, situations, and knowledge and may fail when presuppositions differ.

Resonance

In the atlas, Misunderstanding closes 1 previously unresolved reference line(s) and opens controlled paths of thought.

Etymology

Technical core term; individual etymological review pending

Provenance

ATLAS 241 residual-case triage → profile candidate 241-B → source and neighbourhood cross-check → ATLAS 243

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Misunderstanding“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-CORE-243-019. ATLAS 251, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-CORE-243-019

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-CORE-243-019

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