Benveniste's Theory of Reference

Benveniste's Theory of Reference explores how language connects words to the real world. He suggests that references—the way words point to objects, ideas, or concepts—are shaped by our shared understanding and context. Unlike traditional views that see references as fixed links, Benveniste emphasizes that they're dynamic and constructed through social and cultural interactions. This means meaning is not only about the word itself but also about how people use and interpret it within their specific contexts, highlighting the fluid and negotiable nature of language in relating to reality.