Topic: War of words - the effect of language on Bitcoin (Read 1142 times)

Yeah and that's because it can be felt in the palm unlike Bitcoin which is entirely virtual.

Maybe by virtual money they mean intangible. Unlike fiat currency which we can touch or hold, virtual money is stay online. It doesn't necessarily mean'fake' money.

Language is a powerful thing, missing one letter could be fatal and people kind of interpreted things using the name, so language is very important to explained things to someone, for me the word of bitcoin and alt coin is a bit unsuitable, it makes like bitcoin is more superior than other coin, even though bitcoin is the pioneer and the most superior, I prefer to word of crypto currencies to describe all of the coin

One of the sharpest tool are words and languages. It can create, diversity, misunderstandings and even barrier of two nationality. We must be careful in our choice of words that's why lawyers are so good in that. We can make something bad or good by making up stories. What I mean is that the war of words does not always circulating on how we name Bitcoin, crypto currency or virtual money but how we express it to others by means of words. Many are complaining why is it so hard to explain it to others, then choose your words carefully. Language is one of the ways that make us connected. The understanding about Bitcoin will be distorted if we don't know how to speak about it to others.

As you know, there are only countably many words in the english language - we don't even have enough words to name each real number in mathematics - so there is bound to be some overlap.  Any use of language is inherently political, pushing and pulling on the meanings of words.  Existing words come with strings attached, while new words have to be coined.  However, talking about language politics is irrelevant (except in order to dismiss it).  No matter what words somebody else chooses to use, you can always choose words that properly convey your meaning to them.

For me there's a clear effect of the languge on Bitcoin. My favourite one is crypto-currency, as virtual currency sounds like it is just a number on a screen. Digital is less cool I think too, because crypto sounds like cryptographic (this is why it has been named that way, so kinda logical !), and for people knowing what it is, you immeidtaly understand that this is a great code behind, and if those people are gained to Bitcoin, they'll spread a positive message. How a simple word can change everything !

other war of words are bitcoins own invented words.

wallet.. does it mean the client or just the keybackup file
wallet.. but its not a leather thing in your pocket that holds bank notes
bitcoin.. does it mean the node network, the protocol code rules or the currency unit
bitcoin.. but its not a coin. its a unit of measure, infact its a ledger entry of value.

i think things need to change.
EG
measure the currency in satoshi's and bits(100sat) that way the currency vs protocol are distinguishable. its inevitable we will at some point be measuring value in bits and sats so maybe time to get used to it now to help avoid confusing the currency with the technology

a wallet storing the private keys. should we rename it as a keyring (a thing you store your keys on)

It is harder to explain the word cryptocurrency to a layman. At least virtual, internet or digital currency is easier or no explaining needed at all. Though OP is right, it is sounds that bitcoin is not real when you say it is virtual. But most people will relate easier when you say it is a virtual currency.

Fiat bank deposits are virtual currency with no asset or other backing. At least Bitcoin has the backing of the crypto PoW.

when I hear word " virtual", my mental picture is something I cannot touch. I think it is what most people think about. but when I hear word "cryptocurrency", it sounds cool. my mental picture is a currency in another shape. so I prefer to use cryptocurrency.

Well the most easiest is crytocurrency or decentralised but then not all are aware of this words. It becomes difficult for people to understand this words. So people often use different words for their convenience. But don't ever tell people that alt coin and Bitcoin are same they are not. Digital currency is allowed or you can it's a cashless currency. But always try to be specific so that people don't confuse them, cause they are already confused with the vast information.

I do prefer to cryptocurrency, because bitcoin basically have a crypto elements.

Virtual usually used by common people who even don't familiar with e-cash/e-money which they called them virtual money too, it's exist, people like that

Digital currency I do called them similar as token, but have a usability wide function.

I think everyone is in agreement that the terminology used by media/journalists cannot stop the success or failure of Bitcoin and it will live/die by it's own merits.  I would argue that it can effect cultural views of cryptocurrency, at least in the short term.  The base of these terms are not new - digital, virtual, crypto.  Though they can mean the same thing if used in speech and understood through context, they differ slightly, more so by a measure of degree than a measure of definition.  I'm no linguist and can only speak to my own culture but here are my emotional reactions to these words being a native english speaker:

Virtual - a mock/fake version.  Virtual reality.
Digital - a non-physical item, a version of a object that cannot be held but still serves the same function.  ie a digital copy of a game versus a physical disc.
Crypto - encryption, secret, math, dark, unknown

I like to think of it as lighting up certain areas of your brain through word association and imagery.  Priming you for the message that is being given.  Now this is not some conspiracy post.  We all do these subtle manipulations in our life to push our own beliefs and agenda (though some do so with more sinister intention than others).  It may not even be intentional, but a product of the natural skepticism and lack of knowledge of the uninitiated.

I would prefer everyone use the newly (relatively so) coined term cryptocurrency and force the general public to learn the definition through exposure.  As has been said in this thread already digital currency already sits in your online bank account.  Virtual currency already sits in your World of Warcraft bag.  Cryptocurrency is new and it can change everything.

Not really.While it all sounds okay in English,the complexities arise when these terms are translated in other vernacular languages.

Virtual/Digital Currencies sounds vague.Even Paypal,Skrill etc are digital form of the currencies and bitcoins is completely different from them hence the term crypto-currencies should be allowed.

I don't like the word Virtual associated with something as real as Bitcoin, though it seems the paper are converging towards Digital currency more then Virtual presently.

No matter what kind of words we are going to use to describe bitcoin be it cryptocurrency or virtual currency as long as the reader understands what it implies then it doesnt really matter.  If the television tends to call bitcoin as a virtual currency they are in the right path since bitcoin is existent and operates in the virtual world without any cash or paper note to represent it.

In my own opinion whatever words used to coin bitcoin is okay as long as it promotes bitcoin positively and not in a negative way like saying bitcoin is black market money and is a scam. Negative publications should be avoided, since the words thrown out negatively has a bad impact on bitcoins image.

No big impact can be felt on bitcoin's growth or adoption just because of the several terms that are used to describe bitcoin and the altcoins network. Digital currency, cryptocurrency were much used than the term virtual currency. Each term might have small variation in meaning but users were clear that everything is used for a particular network.

Yes and No, using certain words to describe bitcoin can affect it a bit as you said virtual currency makes it look like it's not real, other most used word to describe is crypto currency. Now the thing is most of the people don't know the meaning of cryptocurrency they just associate it with bitcoin, they don't generalize it. So the words don't matter alot since anything you say if the people know about bitcoin they would associate it with bitcoin know what it is, the generalized word isn't given much of the thought.

I don't use the word "virtual" referring to Bitcoin,it's real money to me I can withdraw it buy a lot of stuffs offline,for me virtual connotes not real when in fact they are much real and had impact on millions of people I prefer to call it crypto currency.

I agree with the OP 100% and this has crossed my mind quite a few times. Journalists use language in their favor, especially on "shill" media where someone with a lot of influence wants to pass some kind of message through. Virtual currency is also my least favorite term as it does seem to be used in a bad context when mainstream media is giving bad news about Bitcoin, which is "funny" because if you think about it... Can't the numbers on your regular ATM be considered a virtual currency?

Examples: 1, 2, 3, 4 and I probably could go on.


I wouldn't say it's strange... I'd say it's actually quite funny and an oxymoron What is strange is the fact that we still value a culture where we teach our children not to question things... Such as: why the hell does a printed piece of paper have any worth? Can I trust what the ATM tells me when it says I have X $ in my account?