Blackwell Reference Online

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The usual meaning of a word or phrase as opposed to a metaphorical or figurative meaning. It has been argued that, as the term itself suggests, this distinction is a product of literacy or was at least accentuated by its advent. Writing, so the argument goes, not only represents speech but also turns its units into objects of contemplation which can be conceived as having a stable existence with fixed properties. It helps to conceptually distinguish between what a speaker means and what a word means. Writing makes it possible to isolate words, list them independent of any particular message intent, and provide them with a written definition of their meaning, their literal meaning. This literate mode of treating language is epitomized in the monolingual dictionary. See also functions of writing ; literacy . Reading Olson 1977; Harris 1980. ... log in or subscribe to read full text