expressief

Expressief is a Dutch adjective meaning expressive or conveying emotion and meaning beyond the literal content. The term is commonly used to describe art, performance, and communication that foreground feeling, attitude, or nuance rather than mere reproduction of facts. In Dutch, expressief can refer to visual art, music, theater, film, and writing that aims to evoke an emotional or subjective response.

Etymology and related forms: Expressief is borrowed from the French expressif, which in turn derives from Latin expressus. The related noun expressiviteit (expressiveness or expressivity) and the noun expressie (expression) are frequently used in linguistic, artistic, and cultural contexts. The adverbial form expressief kan be used less often, with nuances similar to the adjective.

Gebruik in kunst en communicatie: In visual arts, expressieve schilderkunst or expressieve stijl highlights bold gesture, color, and movement to convey mood. In performing arts, expressieve spel (expressive acting) emphasizes facial expression, body language, and vocal nuance. In literature and poetry, expressieve writing seeks to evoke emotional resonance rather than straightforward information. In everyday language, expressief describes voices, faces, or texts that reveal the speaker’s stance or emotion beyond the literal content.

Taal- en communicatiedomein: In linguistics and discourse studies, expressiveness refers to the degree to which language conveys affect, attitude, or evaluative stance, including intonation, emphasis, and phrasing. Expressiviteit is a key concept in vocal training, acting pedagogy, and design where user experience benefits from a sense of character and nuance.

Zie ook: expressie, expressiviteit, expressive arts, expressiviteit in taal.

---