Adding Sense: Context and Interest in a Grammar of Multimodal Meaning

The phenomenon of multimodality has become central to our everyday interaction, leading to a new kind of literacy that is rapidly gaining ground as an area of research. Adding Sense extends this analysis with two more surrounding functions, proposing a transpositional grammar to account for movement across these different forms of meaning. Its examples cross a range of social contexts, from the meaning universes of the First Peoples to the new forms of meaning that have emerged in the era of digitally-mediated communication.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In recent years, the emergence of new media has brought about a significant shift in the way we communicate. The phenomenon of multimodality, or the simultaneous use of multiple modes of communication, has become central to our daily interactions. This has led to the development of a new form of literacy, which is rapidly gaining traction as a field of research. Adding Sense, a companion to Making Sense, delves deeper into the functions of reference, agency, and structure in meaning and extends this analysis with two additional surrounding functions. It explores how context and interest contribute to the sensemaking process, proposing a transpositional grammar to account for the movement between these different forms of meaning.

Adding Sense traverses various disciplines, including philosophy, semiotics, social theory, and the history of ideas. Its examples span a wide range of social contexts, from the meaning universes of indigenous peoples to the new forms of meaning that have emerged in the digital age. By examining the interplay between context, interest, and meaning, Adding Sense offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the complexities of human communication and the diverse ways in which we make sense of the world around us.

In conclusion, the rise of new media has transformed the way we communicate and has given rise to a new form of literacy that requires us to engage with multiple modes of communication simultaneously. Adding Sense provides a valuable contribution to this field by exploring the roles of context and interest in meaning-making and offering a transpositional grammar to account for the movement between different forms of meaning. As we continue to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of communication, this book will undoubtedly remain a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners alike.

Weight: 578g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108817981