Linguistic Meaning Theories: Reference and Conceptual Models

Meaning as Reference/Denotation (R/D)

Core Tenets

• We stress the role of the referent/denotation as the main component of a linguistic expression’s meaning.
• Metalanguage explanations of meaning are seen as the names of the referents of the object language term.

Example: "In Sydney, the bridge means Harbour Bridge." "Bridge" means what it refers to, but if we don't know the context, then we could say that "bridge" in general has its denotation.

Advantages

• It identifies meaning with non-linguistic objects in the world. If we run out of words, we can do this (by pointing at it).
• The referents are taken from representations projected by the speaker.

Problems

• Abstract nouns and adjectives lack a clear referent.
• A single referent can be referred to by many expressions: *Chantal’s pupil* + *A’s flatmate* = same referent but different meaning.

Meaning as Concept/Mental Representation (C/MR)

Core Tenets

• Identify meanings with concepts.
• The metalanguage definitions in this theory are the names of the concepts associated with the object language term.
• Concepts are a way of talking about the basic constituents of thought. Distinguish between primitive concepts and others. Concepts are implicated in our mental lives.

Example: I want to know if an animal is a mammal or a fish $\rightarrow$ compare its properties.

Advantages

• We choose the particular words we use in order to achieve the closest fit with the particular ideas we have.
• If Reddy saw language as a receptacle where we put ideas to transfer them to the hearer, words actually mean ideas or concepts. Example: Tolerant $\rightarrow$ its concept is "tolerance".
• The Conceptual Theory of Meaning has often been taken to explain compositionality and relations between meaning. Synonymy is explained by the hypothesis: Two words are synonyms if they have the same meaning. This hypothesis guarantees the genuineness of communication between people.

Problems

• Concepts have the form of symbolic mental representations.
• Concepts as mental representations imply that thinking and expressing meaning are understood as the manipulation of mental symbols.

Fregean Distinction

Distinction Between Sense and Reference

To distinguish a word's semantic effect: Force, Tone, and Sense. Solution: An expression's reference is not the only part of its meaning; sense is also essential. Sense is the way in which we understand its referent. Sense determines reference and is an essential part of meaning. The reference of a sentence is its truth-value.

Definitions and Further Issues

Genus and Differentia

Genus: The broad class to which the definiendum belongs. Differentia: The features that distinguish the definiendum from other members of the genus.

The process of word sense disambiguation.

Problems of Reference/Denotation (R/N)

Concept of nature change. Issues with abstract words: unicorn, ready, salt.

Language, World, and Mind

Some languages make an important connection in their vocabularies: language-world of the inner. A relation very important: language, world, human mind. (Og Ri.)