What is artifactual
communication?
Triangle of Meaning
Thought (meaning)
ASL for Water
Symbol
Water
Referent
(stands for)
Triangle of Meaning
Thought
(meaning)
Cat
Symbol
Referent
Denotation:
The dictionary definition of a word.
Connotation:
Emotional meaning based on
personal experience and feelings.
Triangle of Meaning
Thought
(meaning)
Teacher
Symbol
Referent
Bypassing:
Two people have
different referents for
the same word but they
think they are thinking
alike.
• Words and symbols are arbitrary,
ambiguous, and abstract.
• Arbitrary:
• for no reason, random
• Ambiguous:
• Confusing
• Abstract:
• Difficult to understand, not concrete
Meaning is in the person,
not the word!
• Social Constructionism:
Humans make sense of their
world. They make meaning
and create their world.
• Language shapes our
relationships.
• Language allows humans to think
hypothetically. We can imagine,
reflect and plan for the future.
• Language allows us to name
things.