What comes to your mind when you see the word (symbol) “NIGHTMARE?” Your initial thought (reference) could be a bad dream you had recently. Or, a recurring bad dream you have had since childhood. However, the word “nightmare” (referent) to me means a very delicious dessert. This process of deducing the meaning of a word is called the Semantic Triangle of Meaning.
The Semantic Triangle of Meaning has three parts. Symbol, Reference (Thought), and Referent. "A symbol is an item used to represent other things, ideas, or events (2013, p. 178)." A Reference is the initial thought you have associated with a word. A Referent is the actual meaning of the word. The symbolic interaction theory states that society is bound together by the common use of symbols. Peace, Justice, Love, are words people can relate to the same meaning.
Whenever I think of the word nightmare, I think of a very delicious dessert my Big Great Aunt Mary created. My family called her “Big” Aunt Mary because we had two Aunt Mary's in the family. She was my grandmother’s oldest sister and she absolutely loved to bake. One night, she awoke from a horrible nightmare and could not get back to sleep. So, she decided to do what she did best and started to bake. She wanted something sweet to eat, but didn’t have many ingredients to choose from: vegetable oil, biscuits, sugar, chocolate chips, and an assortment of other random items.
The Semantic Triangle of Meaning has three parts. Symbol, Reference (Thought), and Referent. "A symbol is an item used to represent other things, ideas, or events (2013, p. 178)." A Reference is the initial thought you have associated with a word. A Referent is the actual meaning of the word. The symbolic interaction theory states that society is bound together by the common use of symbols. Peace, Justice, Love, are words people can relate to the same meaning.
Whenever I think of the word nightmare, I think of a very delicious dessert my Big Great Aunt Mary created. My family called her “Big” Aunt Mary because we had two Aunt Mary's in the family. She was my grandmother’s oldest sister and she absolutely loved to bake. One night, she awoke from a horrible nightmare and could not get back to sleep. So, she decided to do what she did best and started to bake. She wanted something sweet to eat, but didn’t have many ingredients to choose from: vegetable oil, biscuits, sugar, chocolate chips, and an assortment of other random items.
Aunt Mary took the biscuits and cut them into four’s and began to place the chocolate chips inside rolling them into little balls as she went. Then, she put some oil in a skillet and turned on the heat. Once the oil was hot, she plopped in the biscuit with chocolate inside and waited until the biscuit fried. After the biscuit fried, she rolled it in sugar. They were absolutely scrumptious! She bit into the yummy treat and tasted warm chocolate mixed with sugary goodness. She decided to name them “Nightmares” because without them she would have never created a delectable dessert and, unbeknownst to her, started a family cooking tradition that would last through generations.
In conclusion, even though the word "nightmare" to me is associated with a yummy dessert, the word can also mean anything else to another person. I've learned the way we perceive and understand words/symbols is all part of the Semantic Triangle of Meaning.
References:
Image courtesy of Sugarhero.com
Reflect & Relate by Steven McCornack
Hand-written notes taken in Interpersonal Communication
In conclusion, even though the word "nightmare" to me is associated with a yummy dessert, the word can also mean anything else to another person. I've learned the way we perceive and understand words/symbols is all part of the Semantic Triangle of Meaning.
References:
Image courtesy of Sugarhero.com
Reflect & Relate by Steven McCornack
Hand-written notes taken in Interpersonal Communication