In the recent reading you had about “Toward a Cognitive Model of Interpreting” by Wilcox & Shaffer, you were introduced to the toolmaker paradigm. That is a great way of thinking about the difference between form and meaning…the meaning is the idea, thought, action, or goal – the form is HOW we think we can get it across to someone.
Forms vary depending upon culture, literacy,age, SES, all the things – also, ones frame of mind, nervous systems regulation level, and their needs in any given moment.
It is important to recognize that we negotiate form all the time in our communication – think about the last time you were trying to communicate something to a friend or classmate that you were excited about, but they didn’t get it. So, you tried another way- you tried another form. The meaning was consistent each time you tried, but the form had to be modified in order for communication to be effective.
(originally published in Amanda’s Museletter, Volume 4, Issue 1, Fall 2023)
Amanda's Musings 
Leave a comment