| 2.3 |
Words-the concept of symbols with meaning
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In understanding now that almost
everything you see and use in our every day lives are models ( ideas in
motion), it is also worth considering that the words on these pieces of paper
are just groups of symbols with attached ideas. We call the idea(s) attached to
these symbols- "meaning" and the grouping of symbols "words". |
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For the purpose of this book, we define
meaning as: "The sense, inference, idea(s), connotation, reference and or
denotation implied by a grouping of symbols to form a unique combination,
normally arranged according to defined rules.
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In terms of this book, we define symbols as: "The two dimensional characters,
comprising of geometric shapes and arranged into some standard set to which
certain meanings are attached."
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For example, this book is written in the
English language- a system of rules based upon a standard set of 26 symbols
called the English Alphabet. . |
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| 2.3.1
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The heritage and variety of symbol sets
(alphabets) |
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The symbol set of the English language
owes its heritage to much earlier devised symbol sets, principally the Greek
and Latin symbol sets ( alphabets) developed around two and a half thousand
years ago. In turn, the heritage of these symbol sets can be traced back to the
original cultures that emerged in the fertile plains of Iraq/Iran and Egypt
over six thousand years ago. |
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In this way, through the origins of symbols for
different languages, we see that many ideas have a long history and heritage.
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| 2.3.2 |
The multiple meanings attached to words |
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That words have at least one attached meaning is
common sense, given you are reading this text. That words can have more than
one meaning, created over time is also something you probably readily accept.
Yet do you have a good idea on the original meaning of many of the words you
use hundreds of times every day? |
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Ideally, a single word should denote a single clear
meaning. however, the growth of languages such as English has given rise to
many thousands of words having more than one meaning. For instance, when
someone says the word "go" to you, do they mean depart, travel,
someone else's motion, or an instruction for you to leave? |
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Understanding what meaning is the meaning meant by an
author or speaker can sometimes be a time consuming and confusing process.
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| 2.3.3 |
The original meaning of words |
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It was the ancient Egyptians who first documented the
belief that the original meaning and form of words are "sacred". This was
principally due to their belief that language, words and their meanings were
the "gifts of the gods". Many cultures still retain similar beliefs today,
often classing certain words and their meaning as "sacred". |
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Today if you call someone a "genius" you probably mean
they are some kind of super brain, a high intellect, an "Einstein". Yet the
original meaning of the word was far different to this. The word is originally
a highly important religious belief of the Roman tribes and means " one through
whom the spirits speak".. Traditionally the Romans believed each person had two
attendant tutelary (teaching) spirits- a good genii and bad genii- hence evil
genius, good genius had the ability to communicate to their attendant spirits-
one, being a "good genii" and the other "bad genii".
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That we lose sight of the original meanings to words
is unfortunate, for many of the answers to the questions you seek rest in
seeking to understand what you actually mean. In many cases, the conflicts you
find in trying to find answers may even reside in the conflicting historical
meanings of the word itself. |
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Copyright © 2010 UCADIA. All rights reserved.
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