ABSTRACT
The interpretation of the meaning of a symbolic event, is embodied in our recognition of its structure—that is, in our recognition of its possible communicational significance. This chapter describes a new way to examine the concept of interpretation. It suggests that interpretation is best seen within a comprehensive framework of communication which distinguishes between "natural" interaction and communication. The chapter also suggests that the process of interpretation occurs whenever signs are used, and that interpretations can be made in situations that are not communicative. It presents both a hierarchical and a developmental concept by which the process of interpretation and articulation. The chapter also presents the concept of the assumption of existence leading to attributional strategies of interpretation and the concept of the assumption of intention leading to implicational/inferential strategies of both interpretation and articulation. It argues that intentionality is always an assumption.
