As I shared in the last post, we can understand communication better by looking at three levels of it. I enjoy using a construction metaphor to explore the layers. In this post, I'll talk in more detail about the second layer, narrative.

First, a quick review. The first level of communication is vocabulary. In the language of construction, vocabulary corresponds to the materials used to build something. They can be simple or complex depending on the need. Highly specialized environments (very hot, very acidic, etc.) require complex materials. Highly specialized communication environment (courtroom, medical textbook) require sophisticated vocabulary.

The second level of communication, narrative, is about how the vocabulary is put together to create meaning. More simply, words put together make sentences and paragraphs. The organization of the sentences and paragraphs is a skill unto itself, seperate from the issues of word choice (vocabulary).

In contruction, this corresponds to engineering. Once the qualities of the materials are known (or estimated), engineering is the skill of putting the materials together in such a way that the function of the building is possible. In other words, if the building is meant to keep out the weather, engineering creates a design which can do that. If the building must be very tall, or hold a lot of weight, engineering accomplishes that using the materials at hand.

To some degree, engineering can even compensate for less-than-ideal materials. Examples are often found in nature, where birds makes nests out of the lightweight materials which are not individually strong but collectively are secure enough for their eggs. Modern houses also work this way - they keep out the weather fairly effectively, even though if the materials themselves were just left out in the sun and rain, they would degrade quickly.

In the same fashion, great narrative can compensate for simple vocabulary. Well constructed sentences and paragraphs can communicate great meaning with simple words - and in fact, we consider this to demonstrate great narrative skill. Narrative can also support specialized vocabulary so that the meaning is clear. For example, I could say, "He just never gives up; he is that pernicious." Now the meaning of "pernicious" is clear to those who don't know the word, but I didn't have to break the narrative flow to define the word explicitly - it still refines the content for those who already knew the word.

Meaning in communication is akin to function in construction. Just as the function of a building is often considered the primary point of construction, the meaning of an expression is usually considered the primary point in communication.

However, that's not always the whole point. A home, as opposed to a house, involves a feeling which is greater than just the weather-shielding function of a house. Communication too is often about passing on a feeling, not just expressing the direct meaning. In our most important relationships (family, friendship, and even sales relationships), the feeling is actually more important than the literal meaning (content).

"Feeling" is the concern of the third layer of communication. More on that in the third post in the series... Stay tuned!