The triangle of meaning.
Explain the triangle of meaning.
Describe the different aspects and expressions related to the power of language.
Think about your own experiences with language. How has language held power over you in the past?
In your response posts, consider what you and your classmates have in common based on what each of you shared. What did you find especially interesting or insightful about your classmate's perspective?
The triangle of meaning
The triangle of meaning is a model of communication that was developed by Charles Ogden and Ivor Richards in their book The Meaning of Meaning. The triangle of meaning shows how the relationship between a word, the concept it represents, and the object or referent in the real world is indirect and complex.
The triangle of meaning has three parts:
- The symbol: This is the word or sound that we use to represent a concept.
- The thought: This is the concept that the symbol represents.
- The referent: This is the object or referent in the real world that the concept corresponds to.
- The power of persuasion: Language can be used to persuade people to think or act in a certain way. This can be done through advertising, marketing, and propaganda.
- The power of propaganda: Propaganda is the use of biased or misleading information to promote a particular cause or point of view. It is often used to manipulate public opinion and to justify war or other harmful actions.
- The power of hate speech: Hate speech is language that is used to attack or vilify a person or group based on their race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. It can be used to incite violence and to create a climate of fear and intimidation.
- The power of silence: Silence can also be a powerful form of language. It can be used to withhold information, to deny someone a voice, or to create a sense of fear or uncertainty.