Adeola Abdulateef Elega

2.3.1 Content Level Meaning 
This level of meaning creation is limited to the explicit meaning of a particular word, 
phrases, clauses or sentences. It stops at what the content of the message says. An 
instance of a police officer telling a 16 year old driver to bring the car key and move 
to the driver’s side is the creation of meaning at the content level. The content 
meaning here is that the boy should move to the driver’s side with immediate 
alacrity.
2.3.2 Relationship Level Meaning 
This is the second level of meaning creating at this level the relationship between 
communicators is readily shared. Using the same instance as the former, if the police 
officer says “would you mind giving me the key to the car and move to the driver’s 
side”? The relationship between them here shows there is a level of equal treatment 
or relationship between them. Another instance is when a teacher noticed you are not 
smiling like you always do and he called you out in the class and asks you if you are 
fine. If he continued by saying if there is any problem you should see him in his 
office. The relationship level is that he wants to be your confidant; he sees himself 
like a father to you and believes you can tell him your problems. 
Discussing the three categories of relationship level meaning as highlighted by 
scholars over time; 
Responsiveness 
This level of relationship level meaning is about how people react to messages sent 
when you are interacting with them. Responsiveness can be either low or high. If a 
lecturer is discussing with a group of students and they are reading through the 

---

23 
newspaper on their table it shows low responsiveness to the teacher’s messages. High 
responsiveness connotes quick and positive reaction to a particular message, 
nonverbal cues like nodding, eye contact and even mouthed kind of communication 
as feedback is shown.