What makes a sentence meaningful?

[Khamsin]

Django XIII

When we communicate with each other, what is it that makes our utterances meaningful?

The contents. Obviously.

[I got bored one day]

OneWithDunamis

The Willow Of Darkness

OneWithDunamis

Django XIII

Cutie-pie Sleepyhead

Django XIII

When we communicate with each other, what is it that makes our utterances meaningful?

Mutually agreed upon definitions. -sigh- Point?

Then how do we understand novel utterances?

As in utterances in novels? The heck does that mean?

I think he means the use of a word to describe something other than its definition. So if I were to say that all the posts in this thread typed in chat-speak.

Not sure I follow... Example?

"Phat". "Radical". "Tubular". "Cool." etc.

[Django XIII]

Repellant

Structure
Premises
Terms
Definitions
Philosophy

In that order.

So if I were to say some kind of metaphor, like, i dunno, "My love is a red rose", how exactly are those four concepts at play?

[OneWithDunamis]

Django XIII

Repellant

Structure
Premises
Terms
Definitions
Philosophy

In that order.

So if I were to say some kind of metaphor, like, i dunno, "My love is a red rose", how exactly are those four concepts at play?

Does that actually mean anything?

[Django XIII]

Cutie-pie Sleepyhead

Django XIII

Cutie-pie Sleepyhead

Django XIII

Cutie-pie Sleepyhead

Django XIII

When we communicate with each other, what is it that makes our utterances meaningful?

Mutually agreed upon definitions. -sigh- Point?

Then how do we understand novel utterances?

Through explanation and acceptance via viral use. I.E. catch-phrases.

Can you elaborate?

Do you have a point? If you answer that for me I'll elaborate.

While I'm curious to see what people think about the question I asked, my main point is to get into debate with someone who tries to defend a naive theory of meaning. In order for that to get started, someone has to take a stance on what it is for an utterance to be meaningful and for my sake it would be best for that theory to consist of more than a sentence or two.

[Mecill]

Order of words and their roles in the sentence. Different parts of speech: adjectives, nouns, verbs, adverbs, pronouns, prepositions, conjunctions and interjections.

[Prince Rilian]

Django XIII

Cutie-pie Sleepyhead

Django XIII

When we communicate with each other, what is it that makes our utterances meaningful?

Mutually agreed upon definitions. -sigh- Point?

Then how do we understand novel utterances?

You mean new words?

Or do you mean new sentences? New sentences are made up of old words, that's how.

[OneWithDunamis]

The Willow Of Darkness

OneWithDunamis

Django XIII

Repellant

Structure
Premises
Terms
Definitions
Philosophy

In that order.

So if I were to say some kind of metaphor, like, i dunno, "My love is a red rose", how exactly are those four concepts at play?

Does that actually mean anything?

Well, it could be impressing how beautiful the feeling of love is; roses are often considered pretty.

I would say a sentence like this has meaning on its own, but should not stand alone because it's too abstract and does not deliver a concrete message. Unless that's the desired effect, then sure.

[I got bored one day]

Django XIII

Cutie-pie Sleepyhead

Django XIII

Cutie-pie Sleepyhead

Django XIII

Then how do we understand novel utterances?

Through explanation and acceptance via viral use. I.E. catch-phrases.

Can you elaborate?

Do you have a point? If you answer that for me I'll elaborate.

I'm just curious to see what people think about the question I asked, but my main point is to get into debate with someone who tries to defend a naive theory of meaning. In order for that to get started, someone has to take a stance on what it is for an utterance to be meaningful and for my sake it would be best for that theory to consist of more than a sentence or two.

Ah, I figured. Well, I have some bad news for you: It's a pretty straight-forward process. In regards to catch-phrases repetition of a particular term with a new definition or alternating definition can be essentially started by a group of people who in turn popularize it through probably sheer luck though at times through naming schemes and cleverness.

Some popular terms are: "Butterfly Effect", named after a paper titled after the concept of a butterflies beating wings causing a tornado in Texas.

"Cool", started by some kid who was actually not hot.

"Hot", started by another kid who was in a rival faction.

"n00b", started by internet folk aimed at those who misused or broke MMO games on purpose.

"Phat", started by black people I think.

"Crunk", stared by some black rapper in the 90's, Lil... something.

"EDer", stared by Gaia Online.

Etc.

[OneWithDunamis]

The Willow Of Darkness

OneWithDunamis

The Willow Of Darkness

OneWithDunamis

Django XIII

Repellant

Structure
Premises
Terms
Definitions
Philosophy

In that order.

So if I were to say some kind of metaphor, like, i dunno, "My love is a red rose", how exactly are those four concepts at play?

Does that actually mean anything?

Well, it could be impressing how beautiful the feeling of love is; roses are often considered pretty.

I would say a sentence like this has meaning on its own, but should not stand alone because it's too abstract and does not deliver a concrete message.

Welcome to metaphors. twisted

I'm trained in technical writing. I've lost touch with metaphors.

[Repellant]

Django XIII

Repellant

Structure
Premises
Terms
Definitions
Philosophy

In that order.

So if I were to say some kind of metaphor, like, i dunno, "My love is a red rose", how exactly are those four concepts at play?

Five, and metaphors are terms in a way.

[Django XIII]

Repellant

Django XIII

Repellant

Structure
Premises
Terms
Definitions
Philosophy

In that order.

So if I were to say some kind of metaphor, like, i dunno, "My love is a red rose", how exactly are those four concepts at play?

Five, and metaphors are terms in a way.

What do you mean by term?