Linguistic meaning is the foundation of communication, allowing us to express thoughts and understand each other. It's shaped by mental representations, which vary based on our experiences and cultural backgrounds.

Conventions in language establish shared understanding within communities. Meanwhile, non-literal meanings like metaphors and idioms add depth to communication, requiring us to look beyond dictionary definitions to grasp the intended message.

Linguistic Meaning and Communication

Concept of linguistic meaning

• Refers to semantic content conveyed by language through words, phrases, and sentences
• Enables exchange of ideas and information between speakers and listeners
• Governed by rules and conventions of a language including syntax, semantics, and pragmatics
• Crucial for successful communication by allowing speakers to express thoughts, feelings, and intentions
• Enables listeners to understand and interpret messages conveyed by speakers

Meaning and mental representations

• Closely tied to mental representations of language users
  • Words and phrases evoke specific concepts, ideas, and experiences in minds of speakers and listeners (dog, love, justice)
• Mental representations shaped by individual experiences and cultural background
  • Same word or phrase may evoke different mental representations for different people (home, success, beauty)
• Linguistic meaning interpreted based on these mental representations
• Successful communication relies on shared understanding of mental representations associated with linguistic expressions

Conventions and Non-Literal Meaning

Convention in linguistic meaning

• Agreed-upon rules and norms governing language use within a speech community
• Learned and shared by members of the community
• Establish common understanding of linguistic meaning
  • Ensure words and phrases used consistently and predictably within community (hello, thank you, sorry)
• Can vary across different speech communities
  • Same word or phrase may have different meanings or connotations in different communities (pop, lift, jumper)
• Essential for effective communication within a speech community
  • Allow speakers to convey meaning accurately and listeners to interpret meaning correctly

Literal vs non-literal meaning

• Literal meaning: direct, explicit meaning derived from conventional, dictionary definitions of words
  • "The cat sat on the mat" conveys a feline resting on a floor covering
• Non-literal meaning: implied, figurative, or indirect meaning beyond literal interpretation
  • Relies on context, shared knowledge, or cultural understanding
  • Examples:
    1. Metaphors: comparing two unlike things to highlight similarity ("Time is money", "Love is a battlefield")
    2. Idioms: fixed expressions with meanings not derived from individual words ("It's raining cats and dogs", "Break a leg")
    3. Sarcasm: saying opposite of what is meant, often to express criticism or mockery ("Oh, great! I just love being stuck in traffic", "You're a real genius, aren't you?")
• Understanding non-literal meaning crucial for effective communication
  • Allows speakers to convey complex ideas, emotions, and attitudes
  • Requires listeners to use context and shared knowledge to interpret intended meaning