Sophistication

Scope of sophistication

In social terms, the connotations of sophistication depends on whether one is an insider or an outsider of the sophisticated class. Sophistication can be seen as "a form of snobbery," or as "among the most desirable of human qualities." | author-link1 = Andrew Holleran | access-date = 2011-03-06

A study of style conveys an idea of the range of possible elements through which one can demonstrate sophistication in elegance and fashion, covering the art of "[...] the shoemaker, the hairdresser, the cosmetologist, the cookbook writers, the chef, the diamond merchant, the couturieres, and the fashion queens, the inventors of the folding umbrella ... and of champagne." |url-access = registration

History

In Ancient Greece, sophia was the special insight of poets and prophets. This then became the wisdom of philosophers such as sophists. But their use of rhetoric to win arguments gave sophistication a derogatory quality. Sophistry was then the art of misleading.

The system of modern Western sophistication has its roots in France, arguably helped along its way by the policies of King Louis XIV (reigned 1643–1715). For example: {{cite book |last = DeJean |url-access = registration

The English regarded sophistication as decadent and deceptive until the aristocratic sensibilities and refined elegance of Regency dandies such as Beau Brummell (1778–1840) became fashionable and admired.

Types of sophistication

Recognised varieties of sophistication include:

• cultural sophistication For example: | access-date = 2011-02-24 (or culturedness)
• intellectual sophistication For example:{{cite book | author-link = Marshall Hodgson | access-date = 2011-02-24

In the analysis of humor, Victor Raskin distinguishes "two types of sophistication: limited access or allusive knowledge, and complex processing". | author-link = Salvatore Attardo | access-date = 2011-02-21

Acquiring sophistication

Methods of acquiring the appearance of personal sophistication include:

• educational travel – note the function of the traditional Grand Tour for European aesthetes | author-link = Sara Warneke | access-date = 2011-02-24

• Finishing school | access-date = 2011-02-24

On a societal level commentators can associate various forms of sophistication with civilization. | editor-last = Migdal | editor-first = Joel S. | access-date = 2011-03-13 | access-date = 2011-03-13

References

Alecia Watterson

References

1. Hammill, Faye. (2010). "Sophistication: A Literary and Cultural History".
2. Mark Backman. (1991). "Sophistication". Ox Bow Press.
3. Deborah Longworth. (2 Sep 2010). "Sophistication: A Literary and Cultural History". [[Times Higher Education]].