Language: Why We Hear More Than Words

In relationships, communication goes beyond the mere exchange of words. It encompasses the way words are said, the tone, the order, and even the choice of specific words. This multidimensional aspect of communication is explored by Deirdre Wilson and Dan Sperber in their book "Meaning and Relevance."

They provide an example to illustrate this point: "Peter got angry and Mary left" versus "Mary left and Peter got angry." Although these two sentences have the same words, they convey different meanings. The first sentence implies that Peter's anger is a recurring issue, causing Mary to leave to avoid his behavior. In contrast, the second sentence suggests that Peter desires more from Mary, possibly indicating a romantic interest.

Unlike animal communication, human language is not a one-to-one code. Animals rely on a precise code where each sound corresponds to a specific meaning. In contrast, human language involves inferential communication, where understanding goes beyond the literal definitions of words. This inferential ability allows us to interpret the context in which words are spoken.

Even in unfamiliar languages, we can often grasp the meaning based on tone and context. This adaptability stems from the fact that human language is not limited to a fixed code. Our ability to decode and interpret extends beyond the exact representations of words, allowing for subjective interpretation.

Irony is an example of how context can be communicated effectively with a few words. By choosing irony, speakers convey not only the opposite of a proposition but also their attitude towards it and those who hold it. This linguistic structure enables us to express our feelings on cultural norms succinctly.

The power of human language lies in our cognitive abilities to attribute mental states to others and seek context for the words we hear. We excel at absorbing context to infer meaning. Understanding the multidimensional nature of communication is crucial for grasping reality and avoiding pedantic interpretations.

Overall, communication encompasses more than just words, and our ability to decode and interpret context plays a significant role in effective communication.

The original article: https://fs.blog/language-not-just-code/