Meaning and structure

Suppose also that it is stipulated that a language which was syntactically the same as L but semantically different would be a different language. Then the meaning specifications which are theorems of a correct theory of meaning forL are partly constitutive of the identity of L. A correct theory of meaning for a language which is spoken in a given population contributes towards the redescription of utterances by members of that population as linguistic acts with certain contents. If the utterances made by members of P are to be redescribed as assertions, commands, questions, and so on, with certain contents, then the theory T needs to be accompanied by two other things. First, we need a theory which characterizes utterances as assertions, or commands, or questions, or whatever, and then for each sentence uttered delivers an indicative sentence of L for which T yields a meaning specification. Such a theory may be called a theory o/force. 1 Then, second, we need the contingent fact that the language L is the actual language of the population P.2 Someone