What is artifactual communication?

Triangle of Meaning

Thought (meaning)

Symbol Referent (stands for)

ASL for Water Water

Triangle of Meaning

Referent

Thought(meaning)

CatSymbol

Denotation:The dictionary definition of a word.

Connotation:Emotional meaning based on

personal experience and feelings.

Triangle of Meaning

Thought(meaning)

TeacherSymbol 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.