Published 9/10/2023, Edited 19/10/2023
This is a framework I sometimes find intuitive when expressing myself, or reflecting on my expressions. Its components are not weighted in any particular order, but maybe they should be:
Purpose - What outcome or consequence is sought (if any) with the expression?
Substance - What is the content of the the expression, and what connotations could the interlocutor(s) construe from the expression?
Intent - What is one's general disposition, and at the point of a particular expression? Is the expression a form of humour, sarcasm or exaggeration? Is it sardonic? Is it malevolent, benevolent, reactive, proactive, based on a flawed or incomplete recollection, observations, theory, facts? How much consideration did one give before making an expression?
Context - Who is having the conversation? Why are you having this conversation? When is the conversation being had? Are there any individual, local, regional or global variables that influence the expression? Who is listening? Why are they listening? What is one's credence on their interlocutor's intentions and purposes (and vice-versa)? What other things are on one's mind? Are the interlocutors influenced by any substances? What are the local sensory stimuli such as light, noise, smell, temperature and could they affect the expression? Do they need to go to the bathroom or are they running late? Are there any non-local factors affecting their mental health such as a conflict in their homeland, climate change, or the struggles of a friend or relative they recently heard about? Is the expression occurring due to duress, coercion or manufactured consent, or is the expression occurring with free prior and informed consent?
Effect - What were the consequences of previous expressions of this kind (for the person who is expressing themselves or others who have made such expressions in the past, or third parties not involved in the conversation but who may be affected by an expression, or on yourself - does the repetition of an expression serve as a form of intended self-conditioning such a chant or prayer)?
Notwithstanding the above considerations, there should be no expressions which are completely unusable, but there are many contexts in which an expression is inappropriate.
A more complicated but very interesting framework to consider expressions is the speech-act theory.