本文從語言的本性討論高達美的意義理論。高達美認為，一個文本的意義是同一的，但也是差異的，這正是他強調的「差異是在同一中」（dieDifferenz ist in der Identitaet）之意。本文認為這個論點可以由高達美的「語言作為中介」（Sprache als Medium）來證成（對於語言的這種性格，我稱之為語言的中介性）。在本文，我指出意義理論的本質主義和反本質主義預設了語言的另一種性格，我稱之為語言的獨立性。我分析語言的獨立性在意義理論上的困難，然後說明由語言的中介性建立的意義理論可以避免它們，同時也可以證成高達美的「差異是在同一中」的論點。

This essay attempts to show that Gadamer’s well-known maxim concerning the theory of meaning, “difference exists within identity,” might be justified by an analysis of his conception of language: “language as medium.” However, both essentialism and anti-essentialism in the theory of meaning presuppose another conception of language: the independence of language. This conception makes interpretation impossible. In this essay, the theoretical difficulties implied in the concept of language in essentialism and anti-essentialism are first elucidated. Then Gadamer’s conception of language as medium is examined and a justification of his theory of meaning proposed.