Structural Dynamics of Meaning: The Operational Theory of Linguistic Meaning (OTLM) and Metabolic Cost Minimization Mechanisms within the Unified Dynamic Model of Mind (UDMM)

Abstract This paper aims to introduce and establish the Operational Theory of Linguistic Meaning (OTLM) as a core component of the Unified Dynamic Model of Mind (UDMM). This theory challenges classical computational models predicated on the dualism of "processor" and "storage," proposing an alternative paradigm focused on the concept of "structural stability of neural pathways" as the basis for memory and learning. The proposed framework argues that language functions as a "Social API" (Social Operating Interface) designed to induce state changes in the recipient's neural physical system. Meaning is reconceptualized not as abstract content, but as the transduction of transient, metabolically expensive electrical activity into stable neural structure via an algorithm based on repetition and emotional arousal. Furthermore, the paper offers an explanation for the dynamics of linguistic innovation as a response to high entropy pressures. By comparing OTLM with dominant linguistic theories (Behaviorism, Generativism, Embodied Cognition, and Pragmatics) and grounding it in neurobiological literature, this paper presents a unified, testable framework for understanding language as a biological shaping force, with significant applications in understanding persuasion, learning, and the limitations of Artificial Intelligence.