It seems logical that using a large vocabulary impair communication since most people would not know what your words mean. However, up to a degree, it seems like the opposite is the case.
Is there any theory in linguistics for why that is so?
I could see a couple of things that might be at work:
- People are able to figure out what you mean from context and a larger vocabulary allows language that is more aesthetically pleasing.
- People associate a larger vocabulary with greater intelligence and therefore are more likely to listen.
- Access to multiple synonyms allows you to construct more complex sentences without them becoming repetitive or confusing. For example, someone doesn't know what the adjectives you are using mean but they are able to understand that you are making a distinction between two things.
- Due to context, past exposure, an instinctual sense of etymology, etc. people are able to understand a much greater vocabulary than they are able to use.
I think you are just describing jargon, which allows greater specificity when the audience is assumed to have a fundamental grounding in the topic being discussed.
It seems logical that using a large vocabulary impair communication since most people would not know what your words mean. However, up to a degree, it seems like the opposite is the case.
Is there any theory in linguistics for why that is so?
I could see a couple of things that might be at work:
- People are able to figure out what you mean from context and a larger vocabulary allows language that is more aesthetically pleasing.
- People associate a larger vocabulary with greater intelligence and therefore are more likely to listen.
- Access to multiple synonyms allows you to construct more complex sentences without them becoming repetitive or confusing. For example, someone doesn't know what the adjectives you are using mean but they are able to understand that you are making a distinction between two things.
- Due to context, past exposure, an instinctual sense of etymology, etc. people are able to understand a much greater vocabulary than they are able to use.