Meaning in Communication

Every word or term is related to the time and place when that word was generated and uttered. With time, such words do acquire a change in meaning which might cause misunderstanding in interaction. While the previous theories and studies of signs and semiotic such as de Saussure (n.d.), much emphasis and focus were made on the relationship between the sign (the thing itself) and the signifier (the expression people use to name the thing). Language is constantly changing, and this affects the relationship between the signifier and signified. For example, the phrase “gaining weight” doesn't necessarily signify someone who is overweight. In contrast, it may signify beauty. Such thing indicates the significance of the missing factor, which is meaning and time. Meaning should be related and included when discussing signs. For people to understand meaning, they need to relate the signs uttered in interaction to the context of the situation so that meaning is cleared, and the correct sign is identified. To illustrate, a signifier such as “gaining weight “should first be linked to any or all aspects of a context of the situation (which will be discussed in the cognition section in more detail); the social relation with the interlocutor, for example, can indicate another sign, which is beauty or something that is positive. Therefore, when people communicate, they need to relate the signifier to the context of a situation so that they can determine the correct sign, which results in understanding meaning In addition, language has a biological function that involves using the mouths to express thoughts, feelings, and perceptions. It is also a means for people to reflect on how they interpret or understand the world around them and express their emotions. Thus, language is closely linked to the body. People first experience feelings or perceive things, which involves a cognitive process. Then, they use language to express what is either inside their brain or what they feel in their body. Therefore, language reflects thoughts or understanding and is used as a naming device (idb). In other words, whatever words people use show how they view or perceive the world around them. People use language to name things and get their meaning across, showing that language is biological and connected to the brain because it reflects their logic or understanding. However, someone who is not in the right state of mind would be able to say words because language is biological, but those words would be illogical because his brain is not functioning properly. When it comes to feelings, speakers may have emotions in their body, but they might not be able to express them because they do not know how to articulate the words or names that indicate their feelings. This shows that if someone cannot express himself, he /she cannot convey his emotions. Language acts as a naming tool. Interlocutors may have feelings, but their inability to articulate them hinders expression. Language can also make communication easier, in the sense that the interlocutor can use positive words or words that indicate a positive intention (some were discussed in the analysis part of this study). Such potential of language can be seen as a strategy to ensure better communication. On the other hand, using short utterances in interaction can cause miscommunication as interlocutors are unable to fully analyse what is meant by such utterance, which shows again the importance of using words that help others understand the speaker’s overall intention. Hence, using longer utterances or words that indicate the speaker’s overall intention can facilitate interaction. The meaning of words is dependent on their context, and interlocutors must attach words to the time and place of the situation to understand their meaning. Language alone is not enough to determine meaning; rather, it should be linked to the context of the situation so that meaning can be inferred.