The matrix of meaning: Re-presenting meaning in mind prolegomena to a theoretical model

Abstract

Understanding the role mental representations play within the process of meaning structure comes with the understanding of the relationship between verbal semantics and predicate argument structures. While fulfilling a specific linguistic function, predicate argument structures also allow for the organization of more general information of extra-linguistic and perceptual nature. Previous research suggests that the development of linguistic competence cannot happen without bringing into play such general world knowledge, given that concepts get linked to elements of the perceptive world. Our research studies the role mental representations play within the process of meaning structure. To trigger some food for thoughts on a new model of meaning structure we discuss the results of our experimental study on the inter-modality image-text and we analyze the collected data under the perspective of Vygotsky's non-classical psychology, which implies a philosophical understanding of holography. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.