Triangle of Meaning

I.A. Richards (Cambridge University literary critic) and C.K. Ogden (British colleague) developed the Triangle of Meaning to explain why so many misunderstandings occur.

We cannot embed our meaning directly into another person’s mind.
Assume we have an idea in mind about an object, activity, feeling, concept, or the like. (That is our “referent”, or something we want to talk about. )
To share meaning , we choose words or nonverbals. These are not the referent itself, but symbols that represent the referent. There is no direct link between the word and the referent. (Learn this – it will be on your test.) The link is only in our minds. The line along the base of the triangle should be a dotted line to represent this indirect link.
In order for the receiver to understand us, then, they need to figure out what we mean by these symbols.
But these symbols have personalized meanings for each person who sends or receives them. Each person has unique interpretations, based on our own past experiences, cultures, attitudes, and the like.
Thus, misunderstanding lies in the very nature of language – the use of symbols, which can have multiple shades of meaning.
An important key to building shared understanding is to take an other-centered approach to communication. Put yourself in the other person’s mental shoes. Try to understand the other person’s unique meanings. Try to use words that the other person can relate to. Try not to superimpose your own meanings on the other person’s