Language, Dimensions, and Logic in Communication

Language in Communication

Language, an interpersonal communication system, serves three primary functions:

• Representative: Linguistic signs symbolize and represent states of affairs.
• Expressive: Linguistic signs manifest the speaker's internal states.
• Appellate: Linguistic signs act as signals, eliciting a reaction from the receiver.

Dimensions of Language

Words, as part of a linguistic code, form the basis of communication across all languages. Three core dimensions shape language:

• Syntactic: This dimension governs the relationships between signs. Syntactic rules dictate word order within phrases and sentences. For example, a sentence like "Transmit a dog does not bite me" is syntactically flawed.
• Semantic: This dimension concerns the relationship between signs and their meanings. Dictionaries document these conventional meanings, enabling the construction of meaningful sentences. For instance, a phrase like "This land slides and this land shines" might be grammatically correct, but semantically ambiguous.
• Pragmatic: This dimension explores the relationship between signs and their users, considering the speaker's intention and the communication context. For example, the interpretation of a phrase like "It's still green" depends heavily on the context and how it's said. Wittgenstein (1889-1951) highlighted the pragmatic function of language.

Logic in Reasoning

Logic encompasses both the act of reasoning (as an art) and the study of valid reasoning principles (as a science). Two main branches of logic exist:

• Formal Logic: This branch studies argument structures independently of their content. It focuses on the rules of valid reasoning, determining whether a conclusion logically follows from its premises.
• Informal Logic: This branch examines correct argumentation within specific dialogue contexts and subject matters.

Formal Logic

Formal logic distinguishes valid arguments from invalid ones. A valid argument's conclusion logically follows from its premises. It's crucial to differentiate between the truth of a conclusion and the validity of the reasoning. Truth relates to the content of the message, while validity depends on the argument's structure. Formal logic analyzes various argument structures, irrespective of their content, to assess their validity.

Informal Logic

Informal logic studies the conditions for correct arguments in specific contexts. Argumentative dialogue is a linguistic game where participants exchange messages, adhering to rules of good faith and cooperation to achieve a shared objective.