Abstract

Abstract. Currently, cognitive psychology assumes that linguistic mean-ing is based on associations between linguistic forms and semantic con-tents. This conception presents empirical as well as logical problems. Itdoes not explain the flexibility of language use and it is inconsistent withthe subject-dependence of all cognitive acts. A theoretical analysis of theseissues shows a history of confusion between linguistic and phenomeno-logical interpretations of the term meaning , and between the external andinternal perspective towards intentionality of mental life. However, if understood as perspectives, both uses underline non-exclusive aspects of linguistic meaning, namely its epistemic objectivity and its ontologicalsubjectivity. It is argued that both aspects could be integrated through thepragmatization and semiotization of meaning.