142. Are we willing to call a series of independent signals “a
language”?
Imagine a diary kept with signals. Are explanations given so that the
signals are connected to another language?
A language consisting of commands. We wouldn’t say that a series of such
signals alone would enable me to derive a picture of the movement of a man
obeying them unless in addition to the signal there is something that might be
called a general rule for translating into drawing.
The grammar explains the meaning of the signs and thus makes the
language pictorial.
language interprets the world –
or features of it
‘language’ – is a propositional
complex
‘Are we willing to call a series of independent signals “a language”?’
independent signals – could well
be regarded as a propositional complex –
that is to say – independent
signals – could be proposed as a way of interpreting the world or features of
it
‘Imagine a diary kept with signals. Are explanations given so that the
signals are connected to another language?’
any sign or signal – if it is to be meaningful – will be interpreted –
propositionally –
that is in terms of other propositions
we are not talking of different languages here – rather propositions –
propositional complexes –
if you want to call propositional complexes – different languages – OK –
it’s neither here nor there
the key thing is that any proposal – any proposition – any propositional
complex – is open to question – open to doubt
any proposal – is uncertain
‘A language consisting of commands. We wouldn’t say that a series of
such signals alone would enable me to derive a picture of the movement of a man
obeying them unless in addition to the signal there is something that might be
called a general rule for translating into drawing’?
a general rule for translating
into drawing?
a proposal
‘The grammar explains the meaning of the signs and thus makes the
language pictorial’?
grammar – a theory of the mechanics of language – a theory of how the
signs work –
presumes meaning
does it explain meaning?
it might be said to put the bones
to meaning – and show how the skeleton is constructed – even how it moves
pictorial?
are not all signs pictorial?
© greg t. charlton. 2015.
