19. The Variable Scope Of Semiotic Consistency

Consistency is a gradable property, varying from as low a value as ‘not being inconsistent’ to ‘being in harmony’ to as high a value as ‘being wholly consistent’, and models may vary in terms of consistency within some domain of categorising. The “truth” of a model depends on the degree to which it fits other models. The scope within which meanings may be consistent varies from the very local to the more global. For example, ideational construals may be consistent within or across[1] fields, within or across tenors, within or across modes. Interpersonal values may be consistent within or across fields, within or across tenors, within or across modes. Textual saliences may be consistent within or across fields, within or across tenors, within or across modes.

Footnote:

[1] This book is an attempt to establish some degree of ideational consistency across fields.

ChatGPT revised:

Degrees and Domains of Consistency

Consistency is a gradable property. It can range from the minimal — simply not being inconsistent — to being in harmony, all the way to being wholly consistent. Models may vary in their degree of internal consistency and in how well they fit with other models within a given domain of categorisation.

The “truth” of a model lies in the degree to which it fits other models — not as an absolute state, but as a matter of alignment across systems of meaning. This fit is always scoped: the scope of consistency may be narrow and local, or broad and global.

For instance:

• Ideational construals may be consistent within or across fields of knowledge, tenors of interaction, or modes of expression.

• Interpersonal values may be consistent within or across these same dimensions — fields, tenors, and modes.

• Textual saliences — what is foregrounded or backgrounded — may likewise be consistent within or across fields, tenors, and modes.

Each of these axes offers a different plane along which consistency (and inconsistency) can be tracked and evaluated.

This book is, in part, an attempt to establish some degree of ideational consistency across fields.