Defining Our Terms

When you use an abstract word like "border" or a common metaphorical term like "bridge," it's crucial to define your terms so that your audience knows exactly what you have in mind. Throughout this class, we'll claim and define these terms as a community of scholars, refining our understanding of what they mean and how we can use them most effectively

Of course, when you define terms, there is the denotative (dictionary) meaning, and the connotative (informal, associative, contextual) meaning.

In class on Friday 1/18, we began this process. Here are some definitions, based on the dictionary, with added comments from class discussion. The dictionary definitions are drawn from the U. S. English version of oxforddictionaries.com.

BORDER - both a noun and a verb

Noun. A border is a line between two areas, or something that marks this edge. It tends to be public and visible. Crossing it often involves permission or effort.

The most common meaning of border is a line that separates two areas, either politically or geographically. To cross a political (national) border you often need a passport, a visa, or some other document that indicates that you are an official member of a country that is allowed to visit the country you are crossing into. To cross a geographical border--such as a mountain range or a river--you need to make a special effort.

A second meaning of border is the area near the border, such as "the northern border of Indiana is often called 'Michiana'."

A third meaning of border is a decorative band that marks an edge--such as the border on the hem of a dress or shirt, or a flowerbed that runs along the edge of a yard or property.

Verb. (With object.) To form an edge next to something. To be adjacent to something. To provide an edge for something.

Class Discussion (connotative meaning): We agreed that borders are often physically visible, or at least acknowledged and known by those on both sides. Borders need to be crossed, and you almost always know when you are crossing. There are often special kinds of permission needed to do so, or special equipment required (such as in climbing a mountain or crossing a river). Political and geographical boundaries may, but don't necessarily, coincide.

BOUNDARY - noun

A line that marks the limit of an area. A limit of a subject or a sphere of activity.

Class Discussion (connotative meaning): Boundaries are limits that we often set to protect ourselves or our group or community. While borders and boundaries have much in common, or sense in class discussion is that a boundary is established so that people won't cross it, whereas a border is a place of crossing that involves laws, rituals, or rules. It also seemed to many of us that boundaries are often abstract and invisible--such as boundaries between social classes, between different social groups in the college, between members of different religious faiths. These boundaries are only invisible until you sensed you've crossed one, in which case you can feel quite out of place, embarrassed, uncomfortable, or even in danger. Sometimes crossing boundaries is a brave or noble thing, other times it can be a disrespectful or threatening thing.

We discussed "healthy" boundaries or limits that people set to protect their privacy. We also talked about boundary walls that are set up to prevent people from crossing. Not all boundaries are meant to be crossed.

BRIDGE - noun, verb

Noun. A structure carrying a road, path, railroad or canal across a river or other obstacle.

Something meant to reconcile or form a connection between two things.

(This word also has other meanings that apply to dentures and music and musical instruments.)

What all of these definitions have in common is their description of a structure that connects two things that otherwise would be separated.

Verb. (With object.) To be a bridge. To make a bridge. To make a gap between two things smaller or less significant.

Class Discussion (connotations): We discussed bridges as things that make connections possible. We noted that a bridge has to have footings, or a foundation, on either side of what is being bridged. We discussed Black Like Me as a bridge, but then tried to examine in exactly what way Griffin's book functioned like a bridge and for whom. Mostly, his book allows non-black people to travel into the world of black people in the south of 1959. We discussed how John Howard Griffin's disguise served as his bridge, enabling him to cross back and forth between the boundaries that separated black and white society.

I'm sure we'll refine these definitions further throughout the course. Feel free to add your comments to this post in order to explore the definitions further.