directlysuch

Directlysuch is a neologism used in linguistics and philosophy of language to describe a form of direct referential communication in which the utterance plainly communicates the intended referent without reliance on contextual inference or metaphor. The term combines directly with such, signaling that the statement is intended to be taken at face value, with minimal pragmatic processing.

Origin and usage: Directlysuch originated in online discussions about linguistic pragmatics and AI instruction. It emerged around 2022–2024 as a shorthand for statements that are designed to be directly interpretable by listeners or AI systems, avoiding hedges, implicatures, or indirect cues.

Characteristics: Features include explicit referential alignment between form and content, minimal hedging, and explicit indication of scope. Directlysuch statements aim to reduce ambiguity by using literal language and straightforward syntax.

Applications: In theoretical linguistics, it helps categorize utterances by their reliance on context. In AI alignment and human-computer interaction, designers advocate directlysuch instruction to improve clarity and reliability, especially in safety-critical tasks.

Reception: Critics argue the term can oversimplify pragmatics and ignore the contextual cues that aid interpretation. Proponents say it provides a useful heuristic for evaluating communication clarity and system instruction.

See also: Literal language, Pragmatics, Implicature, Plain language.