semantic satiation

robmodernistic commented on the word semantic satiation

semantic satiation - where rapid seeing/saying repetition of a word, like canoe-canoe-canoe... produces a loss of meaningfulness, but repetition of a nonsense overt response having the same shape, nuka-nuka-nuka...does not.

taken from :

http://www.hist-analytic.org/SATIATION.htm

January 21, 2009

oroboros commented on the word semantic satiation

I wonder if this has any relation to perseveration.

March 7, 2010

ruzuzu commented on the word semantic satiation

"Semantic satiation (also semantic saturation) is a psychological phenomenon in which repetition causes a word or phrase to temporarily lose meaning for the listener, who can only process the speech as repeated meaningless sounds."

--Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Semantic_satiation&oldid=478900133)

The same page tells us the following:

"The phrase "semantic satiation" was coined by Leon Jakobovits James in his doctoral dissertation at McGill University, Montreal, Canada awarded in 1962. Prior to that, the expression "verbal satiation" had been used along with terms that express the idea of mental fatigue."

February 27, 2012

oroboros commented on the word semantic satiation

Thanks, 'zu. But this can come about w/o repetition in my experience. I guess it belongs in the category of brain fart? :o)

February 27, 2012

pterodactyl commented on the word semantic satiation

Ooh, thanks, ruzuzu, for bringing this useful phrase to our attention!

This would be a good candidate for reesetee's "It has a name?!" list.

February 29, 2012

yarb commented on the word semantic satiation

Happened to me this morning in the shower with the word blame.

February 29, 2012

ruzuzu commented on the word semantic satiation

pterodactyl: I agree--but we should be careful not to say it too often (I'd hate for it to lose its meaning).

yarb: That was sad, but it also made me laugh. (I'm sorry.)

March 1, 2012