 Speaking or “stating” (yán 言) in general consists of a series of “presentings” (A32). “Presenting” something is explained as a form of “emulating” or “presenting a model for” it (A31). The Mohist view seems to be that names function as models of their referents, in effect “showing” others what the speaker is talking about (B53). Using a name of something is “describing” or “characterizing” (mào 貌) it, just as if we drew a picture of it (A32). (This idea might be motivated by the pictographic roots of Chinese writing.) If we “present” our friend as an example of a rich merchant, then we are using our friend’s name to show what a rich merchant is (B53). 