Sophistication

As I recently walked down the magazine aisle of a local grocery store, bold letters on a magazine cover caught my eye. It read, “GQ magazine is for the sophisticated man; or the man who wants to be more sophisticated. GQ has great interviews with celebrities including, Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert DeNiro, Justin Timberlake, and many others. With tips on style, fashion, and how to dress for work, this magazine will get you all set to impress.”

GQ magazine states that appearance determines a man’s level of sophistication. By following a few simple guidelines, you can resemble your favorite celebrity with their similar power to impress. Is this really what the word sophistication means? Is it an attractive or glitzy state that can be created with a few easy tips?

The American culture has twisted the definition of the word sophistication to mean almost anything. Because of its stretch in meaning, this word can be considered a weasel word. It has become problematic that sophistication is used carelessly in the English Language and strays so far from its original meaning.

The word sophistication has two distinct meanings in our history. These two meanings are not at all consistent and are in fact completely opposite. In the English language, sophistication first meant deception or dishonesty. The more familiar definition, meaning wise or experienced, appeared later on.

Although it is ironic that the definition of sophistication has changed so greatly, there is an interesting reason for this. It all started with the Sophists, who were Greek teachers of philosophy and rhetoric in the fifth century B.C. According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the name "Sophist" comes from the Greek word "sophos," which means both "wise" and "clever." The word sophos carried positive and respectful value.

The Sophists were indeed wise up to a point and certainly clever. However, their teaching of philosophy and rhetoric came to be known more for its creativity than its principles, leading them to develop a dishonest style of argument. The reputation of the Sophists for misleading reasoning eventually gave us the negative connotation for the term "sophistry" (Online Etymology Dictionary).

As the word sophistication entered into the English language, it carried this disapproving implication. According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) the first definition in the English Language was, “The use or employment of sophistry; the process of investing with specious fallacies or of misleading by means of these; falsification.” The first account with this particular use was recorded in the fifteenth century (OED).

In 1530, Sir Thomas More wrote, “For such kind of sophisticacion in arguing, was the very cauillacion and shift that the wicked Arrians used” (OED). In this sentence, the word sophistication means controversy or disagreement. More describes the process of arguing as deceptive by linking it to the evil Arians. Arianism is a belief contrary to the Nicene Creed and is considered heretical. The Arians believed if the Son were equal to the Father, there would be more than one God. This unorthodox teaching conflicted with the Trinitarian teaching held by Christianity. The Arians resemble the misleading Sophists by teaching deceptive arguments.

A dramatic shift in Language brought about a new meaning to the word sophistication. This new meaning is clearly an antonym of the first, as it lost its disapproving sense. Shaking off those simple rustic roots, sophistication came to be seen as a good thing. The second definition is “worldly wisdom or experience” (OED). The first record of this new opposing definition with its positive connotation was recorded in the late 19th century (OED).

The America’s Historical Newspaper cited an article in 1895 that employs the positive use of sophistication. The article reads, “There are some men that do not know the value of silence. But this knowledge comes only with sophistication, and the young man lacked experience.” This sentence encompasses the overall new meaning of the word sophistication. It appropriately links sophistication with skill and experience.
In modern English language, however, the word sophistication has changed even further. The gradual change of this word is due to its use in widening range of contexts by different groups of users. The overuse of this word has caused it to lose its connection to its root, meaning wise or experienced.

Linguist Dick Lieth acknowledges the loose definition of sophistication in modern culture. He states, “Many educated speakers of English may try to monitor their use of sophisticated by restricting its use to the descriptions of people; and even then many groups of people may acknowledge the meaning ‘urbane’ without necessarily upholding the values associated with this meaning.” In other words sophistication has carelessly come to mean refined, stylish, or whatever the speaker desires.

The vague connotation of sophistication has transformed it into a weasel word. In most cases it is used as a filler to make claims empty enough to mean almost anything. By simply inserting the word sophistication into a sentence makes the subject much more appealing.

Slogans demonstrate the emptiness that is connected with the word sophisticated. A current commercial for cat food informs, “Tender and moist, Fancy Feast is the only choice for your discriminating cat's sophisticated palate.” Sophisticated in this sentence can be translated as good, worthy, difficult, classy, mature, superior, or just about anything we desire. The advertiser purposely uses this word so that the audience can decipher its meaning for themselves.

Toyota uses the word sophisticated in a similar manner. Their slogan declares, “Prius, the most technically sophisticated car on the road.” Sophistication transforms a dull word into a word that is coveted. It makes an idea better or superior to others.
Our culture wants to be just this. We want to be admired as superior to others.

Sophistication has become a class marker. It separates the wealthy from the poor, the celebrities from the average guy. All those who are referred to as sophisticated are certainly not all wise or experienced. Our society sees the sophisticated as living better, more enjoyable lives.

The official website for Cosmopolitan expresses, “Sophisticated, glamorous and inspirational, Cosmopolitan is a monthly magazine for the young woman who wants it all – good looks, a successful career and great relationships.” This company promises that their product embodies all the qualities of sophistication. This magazine claims that it is essential for women to flip through their pages to acquire the desired, ideal life. This ideal life is centered upon appearance, material goods, and prosperity.

Similar to Cosmopolitan, GQ magazine assures that a few tips or lessens in sophistication will land its readers at the top. The sophisticated man will have celebrity-like qualities. It is in our human nature that we are attracted to all these glamorous promises.

Does our culture value fame or beauty over wisdom? We have to ask ourselves if this is the reason for the change in the modern form of the definition of sophistication.

The best definition is one that resembles the root, “sophos” meaning “wise.” It should promote honorable qualities and value. Most of all, the definition of sophistication should have definite meaning, unlike the weasel word form in modern English. In the 19th century the word sophistication came full circle from its original meaning. This circle needs to repeat itself once again so that the definition of sophistication relates to its appropriate, original Greek form.


Works Cited

America’s Historical Newspapers. 1992. Readex. 10 March 2008

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.proxy.lib.utk.edu:90/iw-search/we/HistArchive?p_action=search.

Cosmopolitan. 2008. Hearst Communication, Inc. 10 March 2008 http://www.cosmopolitan.com/.

Leith, Dick. A Social History of English. London: Routledge, 1997.

Online Etymology Dictionary. 2001. Douglas Harper. 10 March 2008
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=sophist.

Oxford English Dictionary. 05 March 2008. Oxford English Press. 10 March 2008 .
http://dictionary.oed.com.proxy.lib.utk.edu:90/cgi/entry/50231029?single=1&query_type=word&queryword=sophistication&first=1&max_to_show=10 .