ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-HAR-0012 · ATLAS 251

Dubitation

A rhetorical portrayal of doubt or uncertainty about what should be said or done.

Explanation

Dubitation presents the thought process as open-ended and exploratory. It can convey genuine uncertainty or draw the audience into a pre-determined course of action.

Example

How should I respond to this—remain silent, disagree, or ask again?

Counterexample

I will disagree.—A predetermined action without the staging of doubt.

Distinction

Distinguish from the rhetorical question: dubitation creates uncertainty among possibilities.

Effect on thought and perception

Makes judgment appear as a process and can turn listeners into co-decision-makers.

Resonance

Several possible directions remain briefly in motion simultaneously.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Dubitation“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-HAR-0012. ATLAS 251, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-HAR-0012

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-HAR-0012

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