"Big Words" will confuse you! - Nov. 26, 2023.

I'm approaching this note with self-reflection, remembering a lesson from my professor. I always try not to use technical terms and abstract conceptions too much when I write a thesis because they sometimes confuse the readers. In some cases, those words are ambiguous so they make the thesis difficult to understand. My professor told me that those we could call words were “Big Words.” When we use “Big Words,” we have to provide additional explanations. It’ll help the readers figure out what we want to say in our thesis. For example, in my case, I usually use “masculinity,” “manhood,” and “manliness” in my thesis. They are so abstract and the meanings will change depending on the readers. First of all, we must understand the difference between these terms and use them carefully, in most cases, we’ll realize they seem the same but they are different and so complicated. According to the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, they have somewhat differences.

masculinity　
- the fact of being a man; the qualities that are considered to be typical of men

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

manhood
- the state or time of being an adult man rather than a boy
- the qualities that a man is supposed to have, for example courage, strength and sexual power

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

manliness
- the qualities and physical features that are admired or expected in a man

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

It wasn’t until we understood the differences that we could use them. Also, we have to consider what age and era of “masculinity” it represents because the meaning will change not only the reader but also the age and era. In the 1800s, the concept of “Self-Made Man” was an ideal “masculinity” for men, however, in the late 1900s, men pursued the concept of breadwinner family men and good fathers. Moreover, we sometimes add more explanations depending on the level of the readers. I mean we have to consider who reads our sentences. I don’t have to explain the term “Self-Made Man” to my professor, but we have to do it for my parents or friends. Like this, “Big Words” are not only convenient to express things easily but also it’s difficult to deal with accurately.