Frances; No universal or global contexts in integrationist linguistics. It's not solipsist because in communication, two people at least are involved. Further, there is recognition of social practices but even these need to be contextualized in each case. No fixed meanings for words. No fixed contexts. wc
----- Original Message ---- From: Frances Kelly <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Thu, March 24, 2011 5:21:34 AM Subject: RE: Signs of Signs of Signs: Metasigns William... Are any situational "contexts" of communication held by integrationism to be global in either the general or universal sense, for say purposes of theoretical prediction on the part of linguists? This is an unknown factor for me, but may be revealed in my further readings of the literature. If the thesis denies to "contexts" any globalization, then it seemingly allows for no globalization whatsoever, and thus the subjective nominal reality of integrationism would be hopelessly solipsist. ---Frances -----Original Message----- From: William Conger [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, 24 March, 2011 1:39 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Signs of Signs of Signs: Metasigns It needs a context to have meaning. The whistle sound itself could be used to call your dog, or in imitating a bird call or be a coded signal for an ambush, etc. It doesn't mean anything specific until a context is established. When a pretty girl walks past the construction workers, the usual trope, that whistle means she's pretty. Or it could mean something more banal, or something lewd, or be ironic (if she's not pretty or is a an effeminate fellow, etc.). There's no universal meaning inherent to anything at all. All meanings are projected and they need to be contextualized by a number of factors. A whistle is not a sign until it's created as one in a context. It's just a sound...if anyone hears it. ----- Original Message ---- From: ARMANDO BAEZA <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Wed, March 23, 2011 10:57:09 PM Subject: Re: Signs of Signs of Signs: Metasigns Does a whistle at a girl sound, convey any a meaning universally?
