Interpersonal Meaning

Interpersonal meaning refers to how language is used to establish and maintain relationships between people, such as expressing feelings, attitudes, or social roles. It’s about what we do with words beyond just conveying information—like showing politeness, asserting authority, or building rapport. For example, a compliment, a question, or an apology all carry interpersonal meanings. By choosing specific words and tones, we influence how others perceive us and how our interactions unfold. In essence, interpersonal meaning is the social function of language that shapes relationships and governs our communication dynamics.