In
linguistics, meaning is the content carried
by the words or signs exchanged by people when communicating
through language. Restated, the communication of meaning
is the purpose and function of language. A communicated
meaning will (more or less accurately) replicate between
individuals either a direct perception or some sentient
derivation thereof. Meanings may take many forms, such
as evoking a certain idea, or denoting a certain real-world
entity. Linguistic meaning is studied in philosophy and
semiotics, and especially in philosophy of language, philosophy
of mind, logic, and communication theory. Fields like
sociolinguistics tend to be more interested in non-linguistic
meanings. Linguistics lends itself to the study of linguistic
meaning in the fields of semantics (which studies conventional
meanings and how they are assembled) and pragmatics (which
studies in how language is used by individuals). Literary
theory, critical theory, and some branches of psychoanalysis
are also involved in the discussion of meaning. Legal
scholars and practitioners have discussed the nature of
meaning of statutes, precedents and contracts since Roman
law. However, this division of labor is not absolute,
and each field depends to some extent upon the others.
Questions
about how words and other symbols mean anything, and what
it means that something is meaningful, are pivotal to
an understanding of language. Since humans are in part
characterized by their sophisticated ability to use language,
it has also been seen as an essential subject to explore
in order to.
So,
you understand the meaning of 'meaning'. Now, take a look
at some meaningful t-shirts....a visual approach to design
messages through graphic experimentation. Click the links
to the left to explore further :)