Andrew Edgar and Peter Sedgwick in Key Concepts in Cultural Theory (1999) theorise representation in two ways:

a).  Language theories: representation as a function of language

-  The representation of thoughts in language

-  The linguistic representation of the world of empirical experience

Language is the tool of thought. In that sense representation could be defined as what we present through our thoughts in language. In the second case, representation is also the linguistic representation of the world of empirical experience.

b).  Social Terms

-  Political meaning (e.g. pressure groups)

-  Norms and practices representing social groups

In social terms representation would have a political meaning, e.g. pressure groups representing a community or group of people. Secondly, representation also refers to the norms and practices representing social groups. Ways of life – core cultural artefacts, core beliefs, and everyday practices – are representative of a particular group or a particular community.