If every word has a meaning, then why do we not use their meanings instead of words themselves in speaking?

Answer 1

How would you express the meanings without using words?

Answer 2

Because meaning is quite a different thing than the words used to convey it. In fact - what many people don't realize - there's more to meaning than particular words. Let me demonstrate.

Sure, each word has a dictionary definition - in fact, most words have several dictionary 'meanings' when you look them up. From memory, I think the word 'jack' has over 30 different meanings in an unabridged dictionary, for example. Those meanings are the *content* of language - they are what individual words contain. But there are two other aspects of meaning.

Consider the following words:

broken fix isn't if don't it

Each of those words has several dictionary meanings, but so far here that's all the meaning they have. Now look what happens when they are put in a certain order:

if it isn't broken don't fix it

Now those words have taken on an extra dimension of meaning. This extra meaning comes from how they have been ordered - the *form* or structure of the sentence. But there's yet another aspect of meaning. Consider the following:

They had to go and change the team! If it isn't broken, don't fix it - that's what I always say.

No, I disagree. "If it isn't broken, don't fix it" - that sounds like negative thinking to me. Things can always be improved.

From the above, you can see that the meaning of the same sentence is different, depending upon the other words that are around it. The first guy means the sentence in an approving way, the second guy is critical of it and so means something different by mentioning it. This is called the *context* aspect of meaning. Context also includes the time and place the words are uttered, whether they are spoken or written, and the people who utter them.

All language meaning has these three aspects: content, form, and context.

Answer 3

Because then the words we use to describe the meanings would also each have a meaning, so we'd have to use the meaning of those word to speak with, which would mean we'd be using more words, and even if this crazy process had an ending, then it would take three days to ask someone to pass the salt.

Answer 4

Because I don't feel like speaking that much. Furthermore the answer to your question is a paradox (I'm almost positive) because even the words in the meaning have their own meaning and so on and so forth. So it is just easier to say "I" then to ramble on with the endless strings of meanings.
Also converting to a graphic representation for everything would just be a pain having to carry a REALLY BIG sign board around with me all the time.

Answer 5

It would take a LOT longer to have a conversation if you used the actual "meaning" of every word, rather than just the word. Words are an excellent source of getting your point across, quickly

Answer 6

Because a simple conversation could take hours if we recited the defintion of each word, instead of the word itself.

Answer 7

"what can i get for you sir"?
"Apple juice"

"What can i get for you sir"?
"The liquid contained in a ripened ovary from a deciduous Eurasian tree"

Now which one would you choose? and needless to say that you can go on and the vast amount of words will result in a never ending sentence. Words are actually meant to make your vocabulary less difficult and objects, emotions, and so on easier to describe.

Answer 8

Using words is just a way to express your ideas or thoughts.
A thought/ idea can be expressed by different ways (using different words) and each way shows a different level of emotion, expression ...

Answer 9

Because it is easier to say one word to define. This is a form of language shortcut that was first used in Japanese

Answer 10

Your question is meaningless.... ah, that is:

That which belongs to you in relation to an interrogative thought existing in the now is(=existing in the now) totally lacking in any value to further understand what you're trying to say.

Which further results in:

The demonstartive pronoun used to indicate a thing in relation to the interrogative pronoun....

Oh, hell, you get the point...