Meta-model of language
The metamodel of language describes mechanisms that filter specific content during the formulation of statements. The model was developed initially by NLP founders Richard Bandler and John Grinder based on the linguistic patterns of Milton Erickson. Thoughts from the deep structure are transferred into language, pictures, and sounds of the Surface Structure during formulation. Since not all impressions of the deep structure can be carried over, information gets lost – might be missing expressions or unconscious filtering.
Besides the hypnotherapeutic effects aimed for in NLP, the model can be used in everyday communication to improve messages. Filtering is partly compensated, for example, as an adjustment to the profile of the target audience. The message becomes more concrete, clear-cut, and offers a hands-on course of action. The substantial mechanisms are deletion, generalization, and distortion.
Generally, information content always changes with the transfer from the deep to the surface structure. This happens on the one hand by filtering content. On the other hand, content creates new association potentials through the subjective interpretation of language, images, and sounds beyond the intended effect. A clear profile of the target audience and the meta model's conscious use increase the information content and reduce awkward messages.
- Deletion
Deletion omits information contents by using abstract nouns (nominalization), not detailing facts (unspecific experiences/ indicators) as well as remaining unclear about people and things (vagueness). Receivers fill the missing information with their own experiences. Examples are: requirements are clear (which requirements? what means clearly?); satisfaction increased (contentment concerning what? Increased from … to?).
- Generalization
Generalization selects linguistic forms that leave the message undefined, e.g., by missing orders of magnitude (abstraction), suggesting derivatives (universalization), and building structures (classification). Generalization gets lost in commonality and leaves to the receivers their detailing. Examples are: most people carried out a lot (What percentage of people? How many people? What means carried out a lot?); one always has difficulties (Who exactly? Without Exception?).
- Distortion
Distortion produces difficulties from the use of homonyms, synonyms, acronyms, or heteronyms (ambiguity), Beliefs, quotations, or expectations (presupposition), as well as from analogies, metaphors, and causal loops that suggest coerciveness (cause-effect). Receivers decide to add their interpretations, presuppositions, as well as relations to the message. Examples are: selected details end up on garbage (parts are chosen, decided, designated, or counted?); airfreight to the west get lost (only air freight? other directions?).
With deletion, generalization, and distortion, the sender leaves the receiver to interpret contents in a more or less predefined direction since each receiver adds its information. Skillful deletion of content that produces contradiction increases acceptance of the utterance. Conscious handling of the metamodel of language makes it possible for the sender to improve expressions consciously by skillfully erasing, generalizing, and distorting. Following the motto: a picture says more than a thousand words.