This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. English

social X societal

English translation: broad X narrow

18:14 Sep 25, 2002
English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary
English term or phrase: social X societal
What is the difference between social and societal?

Thanks in advance.
Carol
Selected answer:broad X narrow
Explanation:
The American Heritage Dictionary defines the term "societal" as folllows:

"Of or relating to the structure, organization, or functioning of society."

The same dictionary defines the term "social" as follows:

1. Living together in communities.

2. Of or relating to communal living.

3. Of or relating to human society and its modes of organization. Examples: social classes; social problems; a social issue.

4. Living together in organized groups or similar close aggregates. Example: Ants are social insects.

5. Involving allies or members of a confederacy.

6. Of or relating to the upper classes.

7. Inclined to seek out or enjoy the company of others; sociable.

8. Spent in or marked by friendly relations or companionship.

9. Intended for convivial activities.

10. Of, relating to, or occupied with matters affecting human welfare. Example: social programs.

The term "social" can also be used as a noun meaning "an informal social gathering, as of the members of a church congregation."


Fuad
Selected response from:

Fuad Yahya
Grading comment
Graded automatically based on peer agreement. KudoZ.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
5 +4broad X narrow
Fuad Yahya
4 +2cf. below
Michael Tovbin
5social - welfare-connected or government-run
Herman Vilella


  

Answers


8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
cf. below


Explanation:
both mean "of, relating to society"

but for "societal" (according to MerriamWebster) this is the only meaning, and "social" has several others.

Also "societal" seems to lack the aspect of human interaction.

Michael Tovbin
United States
Local time: 10:02
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in RussianRussian
PRO pts in pair: 108

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Jack Doughty: Oxford English Dictionary says much the same.
5 mins
agree  Kim Metzger: Nicely summarized.
14 mins
  -> Thanks, I take all compliments.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

33 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +4
broad X narrow


Explanation:
The American Heritage Dictionary defines the term "societal" as folllows:

"Of or relating to the structure, organization, or functioning of society."

The same dictionary defines the term "social" as follows:

1. Living together in communities.

2. Of or relating to communal living.

3. Of or relating to human society and its modes of organization. Examples: social classes; social problems; a social issue.

4. Living together in organized groups or similar close aggregates. Example: Ants are social insects.

5. Involving allies or members of a confederacy.

6. Of or relating to the upper classes.

7. Inclined to seek out or enjoy the company of others; sociable.

8. Spent in or marked by friendly relations or companionship.

9. Intended for convivial activities.

10. Of, relating to, or occupied with matters affecting human welfare. Example: social programs.

The term "social" can also be used as a noun meaning "an informal social gathering, as of the members of a church congregation."


Fuad


    American Heritage Dictionary
Fuad Yahya
Native speaker of: Native in ArabicArabic, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 893
Grading comment
Graded automatically based on peer agreement. KudoZ.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  jerrie
37 mins
agree  John Kinory (X)
3 hrs
agree  luskie
4 hrs
agree  Kanta Rawat (X)
12 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
social - welfare-connected or government-run


Explanation:
Good question.

societal - traditional meaning of social.

This came up some 20 yars ago and is still going strong amongst well-read persons in UK and USA. The idea was to diferentiate between "social", which continetal Europeans had adopted for describing socialist policies, and truly social events including everything from welfare activities to Lion's Clubs, school dances or employeed parties or sports, but not strictly limited to government-ordained or government-run social activities.

Today, if you say company "social" policies, that means socialist rules affecting the company. But if what you refer to is social activities by/for employees, such as the Boss receiving the children with gifts at Christmas, you say "societal" activities or "societal calendar".

Herman Vilella
Local time: 17:02
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in pair: 14
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search