Difference between revisions of "Punctuation"
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{{Top}}ponctuation{{Bottom}} | {{Top}}ponctuation{{Bottom}} | ||
| + | ===The Punctuation of a Signifying Chain=== | ||
| + | To [[punctuate]] a [[signifying chain]] is to produce [[meaning]]. Before [[punctuation]], there is simply a [[chain]] of [[discourse]]. It is the [[punctuation|listener]]/[[punctuation|receiver]] who [[punctuates]] this [[discourse]] and thereby sanctions [[retroactively]] one [[particular]] [[meaning]] of an [[utterance]]. | ||
| − | === | + | ===The Illusion of a Fixed Meaning=== |
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The [[punctuation]] of the [[signifying chain]] is that which creates the [[illusion]] of a fixed [[meaning]]: | The [[punctuation]] of the [[signifying chain]] is that which creates the [[illusion]] of a fixed [[meaning]]: | ||
<blockquote>"The [[punctuation]], once inserted, fixes the [[meaning]]."<ref>{{E}} p. 99</ref></blockquote> | <blockquote>"The [[punctuation]], once inserted, fixes the [[meaning]]."<ref>{{E}} p. 99</ref></blockquote> | ||
| − | ==Communication== | + | ===The Structure of Communication=== |
| − | This is essential in the [[structure]] of [[communication]], where "the sender receives his own message from the receiver." | + | This is essential in the [[structure]] of [[communication]], where "the sender receives his own [[message]] from the receiver." It is illustrated in the "[[graph of desire|elementary cell]]" of the [[graph of desire]]. |
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| − | It is illustrated in the "elementary cell" of the [[graph of desire]]. | ||
| − | == | + | ===Psychoanalysis=== |
The operation of [[punctuation]] may be illustrated by reference to two situations which are of fundamental importance to [[psychoanalysis]]: the [[mother]]-[[child]] [[dual relation]], and the [[transference|transferential]] relation between [[analysand]] and [[analyst]]. | The operation of [[punctuation]] may be illustrated by reference to two situations which are of fundamental importance to [[psychoanalysis]]: the [[mother]]-[[child]] [[dual relation]], and the [[transference|transferential]] relation between [[analysand]] and [[analyst]]. | ||
| − | ===Mother-Child Relation=== | + | ===Mother-Child Dual Relation=== |
| − | In the first of these situations, the [[baby]] who has not yet acquired [[speech]] can only articulate his [[need]]s in a very primitive kind of [[demand]], namely by screaming. | + | In the first of these situations, the [[baby]] who has not yet acquired [[speech]] can only articulate his [[need]]s in a very [[primitive]] kind of [[demand]], namely by screaming. There is no way of [[knowing]] for sure whether a scream articulates hunger, [[pain]], tiredness, [[fear]], or something else, and yet the [[mother]] [[interpretation|interprets]] it in one particular way, thus determining its [[meaning]] [[retroactive]]ly. |
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| − | There is no way of knowing for sure whether a scream articulates hunger, pain, tiredness, fear, or something else, and yet the mother interprets it in one particular way, thus determining its meaning [[retroactive]]ly. | ||
===Analysand-Analyst Relation=== | ===Analysand-Analyst Relation=== | ||
| − | [[Punctuation]] is one of the forms which the intervention of the [[analyst]] may take; by punctuating the [[analysand]]'s discourse in an unexpected way, the [[analyst]] can retroactively alter the intended [[meaning]] of the [[analysand]]'s [[speech]]: | + | [[Punctuation]] is one of the forms which the [[intervention]] of the [[analyst]] may take; by [[punctuation|punctuating]] the [[analysand]]'s [[discourse]] in an unexpected way, the [[analyst]] can [[retroactively]] alter the [[consciousness|intended]] [[meaning]] of the [[analysand]]'s [[speech]]: "changing the punctuation renews or upsets" the fixed [[meaning]] that the [[analysand]] had attributed to his own [[speech]].<ref>{{E}} p. 99</ref> Such [[punctuation]] is a way of "showing the [[subject]] that he is saying more than he thinks he is."<ref>{{S1}} p. 54</ref> The [[analyst]] can [[punctuate]] the [[analysand]]'s [[discourse]] simply by [[repetition|repeating]] part of the [[analysand]]'s [[speech]] back to him (perhaps with a different intonation or in a different context). For example, if the [[analysand]] says ''tu es ma mère'' ("you are my mother"), the [[analyst]] may [[repeat]] it in such a way as to bring out the homophony of this phrase with ''tuer ma mère'' ("to kill my mother").<ref>{{E}} p. 269</ref> |
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| − | "changing the punctuation renews or upsets" the fixed [[meaning]] that the [[analysand]] had attributed to his own [[speech]].<ref>{{E}} p.99</ref> | ||
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| − | Such [[punctuation]] is a way of "showing the subject that he is saying more than he thinks he is."<ref>{{S1}} p.54</ref> | ||
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| − | The [[analyst]] can [[punctuate]] the [[analysand]]'s [[discourse]] simply by repeating part of the [[analysand]]'s [[speech]] back to him (perhaps with a different intonation or in a different context). | ||
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| − | For example, if the [[analysand]] says ''tu es ma mère'' ("you are my mother"), the [[analyst]] may repeat it in such a way as to bring out the homophony of this phrase with ''tuer ma mère'' ("to kill my mother").<ref>{{E}} p.269</ref> | ||
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| − | [[ | + | ===Psychoanalytic Treatment=== |
| + | Alternatively, the [[analyst]] can also [[punctuate]] the [[analysand]]'s [[speech]] by a [[moment]] of [[silence]], or by interrupting the [[analysand]], or by terminating the [[session]] at an opportune moment.<ref>{{E}} p. 44</ref> This last [[form]] of [[punctuation]] has been a source of controversy throughout the [[history]] of [[Lacan]]ian [[psychoanalysis]], since it contravenes the traditional [[IPA]] [[practice]] of [[punctuation|sessions of fixed duration]]. | ||
| − | Today, the [[technique]] of [[punctuation]], especially as expressed in the | + | ==="Sessions of Variable Duration"=== |
| + | [[Lacan]]'s practice of [[punctuation|sessions of variable duration]] ([[French]]: ''[[punctuation|séances scandées]]'') came to be one of the main reasons that the [[IPA]] gave for excluding him when the [[SFP]] was negotiating for [[IPA]] [[recognition]] in the early 1960s. Today, the [[technique]] of [[punctuation]], especially as expressed in the practice of [[punctuation|sessions of variable duration]], continues to be a distinctive feature of [[Lacanian]] [[psychoanalysis]]. | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
{{See}} | {{See}} | ||
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Communication]] |
| + | * [[Demand]] | ||
| + | || | ||
| + | * [[Dual relation]] | ||
* [[Enunciation]] | * [[Enunciation]] | ||
| − | * [[ | + | || |
| + | * [[Linguistics]] | ||
* ''[[Point de capiton]]'' | * ''[[Point de capiton]]'' | ||
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* [[Signification]] | * [[Signification]] | ||
| + | * [[Signifying chain]] | ||
| + | || | ||
* [[Speech]] | * [[Speech]] | ||
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Structure]] |
| + | || | ||
| + | * [[Time]] | ||
| + | * [[Treatment]] | ||
{{Also}} | {{Also}} | ||
| − | == References == | + | |
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <div style="font-size:11px" class="references-small"> | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
| + | </div> | ||
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{{OK}} | {{OK}} | ||
__NOTOC__ | __NOTOC__ | ||
Latest revision as of 21:46, 20 May 2019
| French: ponctuation |
The Punctuation of a Signifying Chain
To punctuate a signifying chain is to produce meaning. Before punctuation, there is simply a chain of discourse. It is the listener/receiver who punctuates this discourse and thereby sanctions retroactively one particular meaning of an utterance.
The Illusion of a Fixed Meaning
The punctuation of the signifying chain is that which creates the illusion of a fixed meaning:
"The punctuation, once inserted, fixes the meaning."[1]
The Structure of Communication
This is essential in the structure of communication, where "the sender receives his own message from the receiver." It is illustrated in the "elementary cell" of the graph of desire.
Psychoanalysis
The operation of punctuation may be illustrated by reference to two situations which are of fundamental importance to psychoanalysis: the mother-child dual relation, and the transferential relation between analysand and analyst.
Mother-Child Dual Relation
In the first of these situations, the baby who has not yet acquired speech can only articulate his needs in a very primitive kind of demand, namely by screaming. There is no way of knowing for sure whether a scream articulates hunger, pain, tiredness, fear, or something else, and yet the mother interprets it in one particular way, thus determining its meaning retroactively.
Analysand-Analyst Relation
Punctuation is one of the forms which the intervention of the analyst may take; by punctuating the analysand's discourse in an unexpected way, the analyst can retroactively alter the intended meaning of the analysand's speech: "changing the punctuation renews or upsets" the fixed meaning that the analysand had attributed to his own speech.[2] Such punctuation is a way of "showing the subject that he is saying more than he thinks he is."[3] The analyst can punctuate the analysand's discourse simply by repeating part of the analysand's speech back to him (perhaps with a different intonation or in a different context). For example, if the analysand says tu es ma mère ("you are my mother"), the analyst may repeat it in such a way as to bring out the homophony of this phrase with tuer ma mère ("to kill my mother").[4]
Psychoanalytic Treatment
Alternatively, the analyst can also punctuate the analysand's speech by a moment of silence, or by interrupting the analysand, or by terminating the session at an opportune moment.[5] This last form of punctuation has been a source of controversy throughout the history of Lacanian psychoanalysis, since it contravenes the traditional IPA practice of sessions of fixed duration.
"Sessions of Variable Duration"
Lacan's practice of sessions of variable duration (French: séances scandées) came to be one of the main reasons that the IPA gave for excluding him when the SFP was negotiating for IPA recognition in the early 1960s. Today, the technique of punctuation, especially as expressed in the practice of sessions of variable duration, continues to be a distinctive feature of Lacanian psychoanalysis.
See Also
References
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 99
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 99
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. The Seminar. Book I. Freud's Papers on Technique, 1953-54. Trans. John Forrester. New York: Nortion; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988. p. 54
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 269
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 44
