The functional structure of a written sentence defines its meaning and needs to be measured by its consequences in the actions of the reader.

Unicist semantics deals with the meaning of words and sentences by understanding and managing their functionality. It defines that a sentence is a system, that has a purpose, an active function, and an energy conservation function.

In semantics, the purpose is given by the substantive function of the sentence, which includes the noun.

The active function is defined by the verbal function, which includes verbs, and the energy conservation function is defined by the adverbial function, which includes adverbs and adjectives.

The intention of the sentence is defined by the substantive function and is implicit in its noun, but the meaning of the noun is clarified by the verbal function. A sentence is a driving object when this meaning is straight forward.

When the verb has an ambiguous interpretation, for example “opening possibilities”, it is an empty affirmation unless is it is associated with another sentence that works as its catalyst or inhibitor.

When communicating, the awareness of the intention of the communication allows using the nouns that are functional, while the desired functionality of the sentence defines the verbs to be used. The operationality is given by the integration of the adverbial function with the functionality of the verbal function and transforms the intentions implicit in the noun into functional actions.

The first binary action integrates the verbal function with the substantive function, proposing an action. The second binary action closes the circle using the boundaries introduced by the adverbial function.

Peter Belohlavek

NOTE: The Unicist Research Institute (TURI) is a world leader in its segment. It introduced the Unicist Functionalist Approach and the use of binary actions to build business solutions. https://www.unicist.org/pdf/wp-unicist-functional-approach.pdf