You hear a word that means something different, or nothing, to someone speaking another language. Inherent vs implied meaning is the theory of built-in meaning and made-up meaning. We as a civilization have created hundreds of thousands of words that each mean something different, then combining them in sentences has altogether different meanings. How do you communicate better with others if you don’t understand what words mean in the first place?
Inherent vs implied meaning theory
Introduction to Inherent vs Implied Meaning Theory
Definition of Inherent Meaning: When we talk about inherent meaning, we are referring to the literal or surface-level interpretation of a text or artwork. It is the meaning that is inherent in the object, or idea. In other words, it’s what you see is what you get.
Definition of Implied meaning: Implied meaning is the meaning that we give to things. Every word of every language is a collection of agreed-upon meanings. We double down on implied meaning with innuendos when we hint at meaning other than what is said.
Importance of understanding the distinction between the two: The distinction between the two helps us to comprehend what is being talked about and where misunderstandings are occurring. When you grasp the little amount that is inherent and the vast amount that we are implying it helps you begin to observe your own thoughts.
In everyday life, distinguishing between inherent and implied meanings helps in effective communication. Imagine receiving an email where someone writes “That’s an interesting idea.” The inherent meaning suggests that they find your idea intriguing.
The inherent meaning is precisely what they said. Since it is an email, there is no actual voice so cannot be any tone. What we often do though is hear their voice in our heads saying things and apply a tone ourselves, which is meaning other than what is explicitly said- which is implied meaning.
When you start going through life adding meaning based on tone of voice or body language you take away from the words actually said. This often leads to a separation between you and other people, distracting you before you can even connect with them. Listening to exactly what is said, and responding to that and only that saves a tremendous amount of time and energy.
Moreover, understanding the distinction between inherent and implied meanings enables us to engage in critical analysis and engage in thoughtful discussions. It encourages us to question, challenge, and interpret various ideas, texts, and artworks from diverse perspectives, fostering a deeper appreciation for the creative process and the power of interpretation.
Exploring Inherent Meaning
Inherent meaning as the literal or surface-level interpretation
When we see an object, or read some text, the first level of understanding we have is the inherent meaning. It is the exact thing that we see and that is all. Going further, what we call a “car” is called something else in another language. The object remains the same and is unaffected by how we choose to refer to it.
A house has inherent value as a place of shelter for all beings. Food has inherent nutritional value for beings to survive, though the food type differs from one being to the next.
The inherent meaning of words spoken and written starts and ends with exactly what was said, but only after one learns the implied meaning of each word and phrase. So no inherent value exists for the words we use unless we all agree upon their meanings.
Unveiling Implied Meaning
Implied meaning is the deeper or hidden message
When you say WHAT you mean and mean WHAT you say then you are communicating on a direct or inherent level. This is how things get done in a professional manner; “This is an apple” means precisely and only that.
In our heads, though we have all had different experiences, and sometimes we misconstrue, misunderstand or entirely miss what was intended. You may hate apples, be allergic to them, only ever had a green one, etc. This is where we start to create other meanings and may mess things up.
The implied meaning is all the ideas you attach to an idea, experience, object, etc that is not directly stated or visible. Sexual innuendos are a great example of implied meaning because they are used for the intent of implying something is desired later on without wanting to directly state so, many times because of other factors (usually kids being around). So the hidden message in the innuendo is the type of meaning referred to when talking about implied meaning (meaning other than what is stated).
When we delve into the realm of implied meaning, we venture beyond the surface-level interpretation into the depths of a text or artwork. Implied meaning refers to those subtle nuances and hidden messages that lie beneath the obvious.
It’s the reading between the lines, or mind reading that women want men to do, or the thinking “She or he is angry because they are talking loudly, even though they say they aren’t”, etc.
The role of perception in deciphering implied meanings
Every person is the same doing the best they can with the understanding they have. While we are all learning we may not have the same understanding as someone else. You can literally have an opposite understanding meaning that the way you view or understand something will be at odds with someone else. How you talk about things, what you believe in, etc, will not be seen the same by the other person.
We all have the same mental process though, simply speaking we all hear/see something, analyze it, and make a belief out of it which in turn we have an emotional response to and that’s what we take action on.
This post about internal and external motivation could help you better understand whats driving you.
What to take away from this
Just because you see things one way doesn’t mean others see them that way.
If you grew up in a household where everyone was loud, then maybe you don’t see anything wrong with that. However, someone else may have grown up in a violent, or abusive household and they see being loud as an indicator of violence.
In either example, you have a belief about being loud that then gets transferred to experiences in the future. This is where we start having implied meaning get added to experiences that may not actually be intended or accurate.
For example, I myself and taller than many and have a deeper voice than most. So when I get excited and start talking with enthusiasm about something get loud, but I am not upset. However, some people don’t see it that way and get scared, upset, or make meaning that doesn’t exist.
Alternately you may see others looking around rather than at you. You may view that as a sign they are lying or taking advantage of you because that was your experience in the past. The truth in the present could simply be they are self-conscious, or have a mental handicap that causes that.
Deciphering implied meanings relies heavily on audience perception. Each person brings their unique experiences, knowledge, and cultural background to the process.
Meaning is often subjective
How often have you said one thing and had something say or think you said something else?
How many times have you done that to others?
What you see and hear is not always what others see and hear therefore the meaning you get, is going to be different than the meaning they intended.
Have you heard someone say something you considered to be ultra rude only for them to say they were just joking around with a totally straight face?
Or maybe you intended something as an insult only for the other person to bust up laughing thinking that it was the best joke ever?
What about when you trip and fall, express yourself like dance or sing, and others around you laugh? You feel embarrassed while they actually thought it was great and nothing bad or wrong at all.
Due to our varied life experiences and beliefs, we create meaning about what’s being said and done around us. What your friends, parents, media, etc all say you process and create meaning outside of what is intended by others.
This is what is referred to as subjective meaning. The meaning you imply that others don’t is because of the different life experiences, beliefs, country, culture, etc you have that others don’t and vice versa.
Challenges in identifying and agreeing upon implied meanings
“Yes it is”
“No it isn’t”
How often have you been part of a back and forth conversation like this?
Part of the reason for this is because many of us have learned that we “need to be right”. The other belief is that “if I’m wrong then something is wrong with me”.
These beliefs (or others you observe causing the same behavior) get in the way of identifying much less agreeing upon meanings.
The first task to improve our communication is simply to be aware and start observing ourselves. What meaning are you seeing outside of what is directly said or done? Are you listening more to tone of voice or words used? Are you watching their body language as an indicator of meaning? Are you doing these things without asking if they mean something?
The second would be to pause when something like the above back and forth starts to happen.
Thirdly start to ask the other for clarification. “Help me out here, was that intended as a joke or an insult?” (or something similar).
Conclusion
Put simply communication between us all is due to the fact that over hundreds of years, our ancestors have agreed upon the meaning of each word and phrase in our respective languages. Inherent meaning only exists in the value things provide, or the exact words used. The implied meaning is everything else beyond that.
As time goes on words and phrases start to get used differently. In addition, our personal perspectives cause us to start adding meaning to words and actions around us. Some of the beliefs we hold make us more or less willing to communicate in a useful manner. Understanding that no words have meaning and that you are creating all meaning gives you the power back to create the life you want.