Discursiveness is spelled with the consonant cluster "sc" followed by the vowel "u", a combination rarely seen in English. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /dɪˈskɜːsɪvnəs/, with each letter corresponding to a certain sound in the word. The "c" is pronounced like a "k," and the "u" produces a long "er" sound. Discursiveness refers to the tendency to stray from the main topic and meander through various tangents.
Discursiveness is a noun that refers to the quality or characteristic of being discursive. Discursive, on the other hand, is an adjective that describes something which tends to digress from a main topic or follow a wandering or rambling path.
In this context, discursiveness can be understood as the tendency of an individual or a piece of communication to deviate from the main subject or to digress excessively during a conversation, discussion, or written work. It implies a lack of focus or a tendency to go off on tangents that are not directly relevant to the main point or argument at hand.
Discursiveness can manifest in different forms, such as excessive elaboration, introducing unrelated ideas or anecdotes, or including unnecessary details that hinder the concise and coherent presentation of information. It may be unintentional, stemming from a lack of clarity, organization, or control over one's thoughts. However, it can also be a deliberate rhetorical device used to explore different perspectives, engage the audience, or provide a comprehensive analysis.
In academic writing, public speaking, or professional communication, discursiveness is often discouraged, as it can hinder the clarity and effectiveness of the intended message. However, in certain contexts, such as creative writing or philosophical discourse, discursiveness may be considered valuable in allowing for a nuanced exploration of ideas and perspectives.
The term "discursiveness" is derived from the word "discursive", which in turn has its roots in the Latin word "discursus" and the verb "discurrere". "Discursus" means "a running about" and "discurrere" means "to run about". In Old French, "discursus" evolved into "discurs" and later into "discours" meaning "speech" or "discourse". From there, in Middle English, "discours" turned into "discourse" with the same meaning. The adjective form, "discursive", was later formed by adding the suffix "-ive" to "discourse". Finally, "discursiveness" is generated by adding the noun suffix "-ness" to "discursive", creating a noun form indicating the quality or state of being discursive.