Changes

: ([[Fr]]. ''[[{{Top}}chaîne signifiante]]'', ''[[chaîne du signifiant]]''){{Bottom}}

=====Symbolic Chain=====The term "[[chain]]" is used increasingly by [[Lacan]] from the mid-1950s on, always in references to the [[symbolic order]]. At first, in 1956, he speaks not of the [[signifying chain]] but of the ''[[symbolic]]'' [[chain]], by which he denotes a line of descendence into which each [[subject]] is inscribed even before his [[birth]] and after his [[death]], and which influences his destiny [[unconscious|unconsciously]].<ref>{{Ec}} p. 468</ref> In the same year he speaks of "the chain of [[discourse]]."<ref>{{S3}} p. 261</ref>

At first, in 1956, he speaks not of the [[signifying chain]] but of the ''[[symbolic]]'' [[chain]], by which he denotes a line of descendence into which each [[subject]] is inscribed even before his before and after his death, and which influences his destiny [[unconscious|unconsciously.<ref>{{Ec}} p.468</ref> In the same year he speaks of "the chain of discourse."<ref>{{S3}} p.261</ref> =====Chain of Signifiers====

=====Metonymy and Desire=====A [[signifying chain]] can never be [[lack|complete]], since it is always possible to add [[another ]] [[signifier]] to it, ''ad infinitum'', in a way which expresses the ternal eternal [[nature ]] of [[desire]]; for this reason, [[desirereason]] is , [[metonymy|metonymic]]. =====Metonymy and Signification=====The [[chaindesire]] is also [[metonymy|metonymic]] in the production of [[meaning]]; [[signification]] is not present at any one point in the [[chain]], but rather [[meaning]] "insists" in the movement from one [[signifier]] to another.<ref>{{E}} p.153</ref>  

=====Linearity==Metonymic Axis of Language===<blockquote>"The On the one hand, the [[idea]] of linearity suggests that Saussure holds to be constitutive of the [[signifying chain of discourse applies to ]] is the chain stream of discourse only [[speech]], in which [[signifier]]s are combined in accordance with the direction in laws of grammar -- which it is oriented in time.[[Saussure]] calls "[[syntagmatic]]"<ref>{{E}} prelationships, and [[Lacan]], following [[Jakobson]], locates on the [[metonymic]] axis of [[language]].154</ref></blockquote>

=====Metonymic Axis of Language==Circularity===On the one hand, the idea of linearity suggests that the The [[signifying chain]] is the stream compared to "rings of [[speech]], a necklace that is a ring in which [[signifier]]s are combined in accordance with the laws another necklace made of grammar -- which [[Saussure]] calls "[[syntagmatic]]rings." relationships, and [[Lacan]], following [[Jakobson]], locates on the [[metonymic]] axis of [[language]]<ref>{{E}} p.153</ref>

=====Circularity==Metaphoric Axis of Language===<blockquote>"The On the [[other]] hand, the idea of circularity suggests that the [[signifying chain ]] is compared to "rings a series of [[signifier]]s linked by [[free association]]s, just one path through the network of a necklace that is a ring in another necklace made [[signifiers]] which constitutes the [[symbolic]] [[world]] of rings.the [[subject]] -- which [[Saussure]] calls "associative"<ref>{{E}} prelationships, and [[Lacan]], following [[Jakobson]], locates on the [[metaphoric]] axis of [[language]].153</ref></blockquote>

=====Metaphoric Axis of Language==Diachronic and Synchronic Dimensions===On the other handIn [[truth]], the idea of circularity suggests that the [[signifying chain]] is a series both of these things. In its [[signifierdiachrony|diachronic]]s linked by [[free associationdimension]]sit is linear, just one path through the network of [[signifierssyntagmatic]] which constitutes the , [[symbolicmetonymic]] ; in its [[worldsynchrony|synchronic]] of the dimension it is circular, associative, [[subjectmetaphoric]] -- which [. The two cross over: <blockquote>"There is in effect no signifying chain [Saussure]] calls "[[associativediachronic]]" relationships, and [[Lacan]chain]that does not have, following as if attached to the [[Jakobsonpunctuation]]of each of its units, locates on the a [[metaphoricwhole]] axis articulation of relevant contexts [[language[synchronic]]units]suspended 'vertically', as it were, from that point."<ref>{{E}} p.154</ref></blockquote>

=====Diachronic [[Lacan]] thus combines in one [[concept]] the two types of [[relationship]] ("[[syntagmatic]]" and Synchronic Dimensions====="associative") which [[Saussure]] argued existed between [[sign]]s, though for [[Lacan]], the relationship is between [[signifiers]], not [[sign]]s.

In truth, the [[signifying chain]] is both of these things.  In its [[diachrony|diachronic]] dimension it is linear, [[syntagmatic]], [[metonymic]]; in its [[synchrony|synchronic]] dimension it is circular, associative, [[metaphoric]]. The two cross over:  <blockquote>"There is in effect no signifying chain [diachronic chain] that does not have, as if attached to the punctuation of each of its units, a whole articulation of relevant contexts [synchronic units] suspended 'vertically', as it were, from that point."<ref>{{E}} p.154</ref></blockquote> [[Lacan]] thus combines in one concept the two types of relationship ("[[syntagmatic]]" and "''associative''") which [[Saussure]] argued existed between [[signs]], though for [[Lacan]], the relationship is between [[signifiers]], not [[signs]].                    == See Also==* [[Signifier]]{{See}}* [[SignifiedDesire]]* [[SymbolLanguage]]* [[Symbolism]]* [[Letter]]||

* [[Diachrony]]* [[Synchrony]]* [[Meaning]] * [[Language]]* [[Metaphor]]* [[Materialism]]||

||* [[SignifiedSignifier]]* [[Signifying ChainSymbolic order]]* [[Subject]]{{Also}}