Difference between revisions of "Sign"
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| − | = | + | ===Ferdinand de Saussure=== |
| − | + | [[Image:SAUSSUREANALGORITHM.gif|thumb|200px|right|The Saussurean Sign]] | |
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According to [[Saussure]], the [[sign]] is the basic unit of [[language]] | According to [[Saussure]], the [[sign]] is the basic unit of [[language]] | ||
The [[sign]] is constituted by two elements: | The [[sign]] is constituted by two elements: | ||
| − | # a conceptual element ( | + | # the [[signified]], a [[conceptual]] element (or [[concept]]), and |
| − | + | # the [[signifier]], a phonological element (or sound-[[image]]). | |
| − | The two elements are linked by an arbitrary but unbreakable bond. | + | The two elements are linked by an [[arbitrary]] but unbreakable bond. |
=====Saussurean Sign===== | =====Saussurean Sign===== | ||
| − | + | [[Saussure]] represented the [[sign]] by means of a diagram.<ref>[[Saussure|Saussure, Ferdinand de]]. (1916) ''[[Saussure|Course in General Linguistics]]'', ed. Charles Bally and Albert Sechehaye, trans. Wade Baskin, Glasgow: Collins Fontana. p.114</ref> In this diagram, the line between the [[signified]] and the [[signifier]] represents union, the reciprocal implication of the two elements. ([[Saussure]] put the [[signifier]] and the [[signified]] in an ellipse which indicates [[structure|structural unity]] of the [[sign]].) | |
| − | [[Saussure]] represented the [[sign]] by means of a diagram.<ref>[[Saussure|Saussure, Ferdinand de]]. (1916) ''[[Saussure|Course in General Linguistics]]'', ed. Charles Bally and Albert Sechehaye, trans. Wade Baskin, Glasgow: Collins Fontana. p.114</ref> | ||
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| − | In this diagram, the line between the [[signified]] and the [[signifier]] represents union, the reciprocal implication of the two elements. | ||
=====Jacques Lacan===== | =====Jacques Lacan===== | ||
| − | [[Lacan]] takes up the [[Saussure]]an concept of the [[sign]] in his "linguistic turn" in [[psychoanalysis]] during the 1950s, but subjects it to several modifications. | + | [[Lacan]] takes up the [[Saussure]]an concept of the [[sign]] in his "[[linguistic]] turn" in [[psychoanalysis]] during the 1950s, but [[subjects]] it to several modifications. During the 1950s [[Lacan]] began to make us of [[Saussure]]'s [[concepts]] but adapted [[them]] in important ways. |
=====Relation between Signifier and Signified===== | =====Relation between Signifier and Signified===== | ||
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=====Primacy of the Signifier===== | =====Primacy of the Signifier===== | ||
| − | Secondly, [[Lacan]] asserts the [[existence]] of an order of "pure signifiers," where [[signifier]]s exist prior to [[signified]]s; this [[order]] of purely logical [[structure]] is the [[unconscious]]. | + | Secondly, [[Lacan]] asserts the [[existence]] of an order of "pure [[signifiers]]," where [[signifier]]s [[exist]] prior to [[signified]]s; this [[order]] of purely [[logical]] [[structure]] is the [[unconscious]]. This amounts to a [[destruction]] of [[Saussure]]'s concept of the [[sign]]; for [[Lacan]], a [[language]] is not composed of [[sign]]s but of [[signifier]]s. |
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| − | This amounts to a destruction of [[Saussure]]'s concept of the [[sign]]; for [[Lacan]], a [[language]] is not composed of [[sign]]s but of [[signifier]]s. | ||
=====Saussurean algorithm===== | =====Saussurean algorithm===== | ||
| − | [[Image:SAUSSUREANALGORITHM.gif|right|thumb| | + | [[Image:SAUSSUREANALGORITHM.gif|right|thumb|Saussurean algorithm|The Saussurean algorithm]] To illustrate the contrast between his own views and those of [[Saussure]], [[Lacan]] replaces [[Saussure]]'s diagram of the [[sign]] with an [[Saussurean algorithm|algorithm]] which, [[Lacan]] argues, should be attributed to [[Saussure]] -- and is thus now sometimes referred to as the "[[Saussure]]an algorithm."<ref>{{E}} p.149</ref> The '''S''' stands for the [[signifier]], and the '''s''' for the [[signified]]; the [[position]] of the [[signified]] and the [[signifier]] is thus inverted, showing the primacy of the [[signifier]] (which is capitalized, whereas the [[signifier]] is reduced to mere lower-[[case]] italic). The arrows and the circle are abolished, representing the [[absence]] of a [[stable]] or fixed relation between [[signifier]] and [[signified]]. The [[bar]] between the [[signifier]] and the [[signified]] no longer represents union but the [[resistance]] inherent in [[signification]]. For [[Lacan]], this [[algorithm]] defines "the [[topography]] of the [[unconscious]]."<ref>{{E}} p. 163</ref> |
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| − | To illustrate the contrast between his own views and those of [[Saussure]], [[Lacan]] replaces [[Saussure]]'s diagram of the [[sign]] with an [[Saussurean algorithm|algorithm]] which, [[Lacan]] argues, should be attributed to [[Saussure]] -- and is thus now sometimes referred to as the "[[Saussure]]an algorithm."<ref>{{E}} p.149</ref> | ||
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| − | The '''S''' stands for the [[signifier]], and the '''s''' for the [[signified]]; the position of the [[signified]] and the [[signifier]] is thus inverted, showing the primacy of the [[signifier]] (which is capitalized, whereas the [[signifier]] is reduced to mere lower-case italic). | ||
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| − | The arrows and the circle are abolished, representing the [[absence]] of a stable or fixed relation between [[signifier]] and [[signified]]. | ||
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| − | The [[bar]] between the [[signifier]] and the [[signified]] no longer represents union but the [[resistance]] inherent in [[signification]]. | ||
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| − | For [[Lacan]], this [[algorithm]] defines "the [[topography]] of the [[unconscious]]."<ref>{{E}} p.163</ref> | ||
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==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
| + | {{See}} | ||
| + | * [[Enunciation]] | ||
* [[Index]] | * [[Index]] | ||
* [[Language]] | * [[Language]] | ||
| + | || | ||
* [[Metaphor]] | * [[Metaphor]] | ||
* [[Materialism]] | * [[Materialism]] | ||
* [[Signification]] | * [[Signification]] | ||
| + | || | ||
* [[Signified]] | * [[Signified]] | ||
* [[Signifying Chain]] | * [[Signifying Chain]] | ||
* [[Shifter]] | * [[Shifter]] | ||
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* [[Subject]] | * [[Subject]] | ||
* [[Symbol]] | * [[Symbol]] | ||
| + | * [[Symptom]] | ||
| + | {{Also}} | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
| + | <div style="font-size:11px" class="references-small"> | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
| + | </div> | ||
[[Category:Psychoanalysis]] | [[Category:Psychoanalysis]] | ||
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__NOTOC__ | __NOTOC__ | ||
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Latest revision as of 23:10, 20 May 2019
| French: [[signe]] |
Ferdinand de Saussure
According to Saussure, the sign is the basic unit of language
The sign is constituted by two elements:
- the signified, a conceptual element (or concept), and
- the signifier, a phonological element (or sound-image).
The two elements are linked by an arbitrary but unbreakable bond.
Saussurean Sign
Saussure represented the sign by means of a diagram.[1] In this diagram, the line between the signified and the signifier represents union, the reciprocal implication of the two elements. (Saussure put the signifier and the signified in an ellipse which indicates structural unity of the sign.)
Jacques Lacan
Lacan takes up the Saussurean concept of the sign in his "linguistic turn" in psychoanalysis during the 1950s, but subjects it to several modifications. During the 1950s Lacan began to make us of Saussure's concepts but adapted them in important ways.
Relation between Signifier and Signified
Firstly, whereas Saussure posited the reciprocal implication between signifier and signified (they are as mutually interdependent as two sides of a sheet of paper), Lacan argues that the relation between signifier and signified is extremely unstable.
Primacy of the Signifier
Secondly, Lacan asserts the existence of an order of "pure signifiers," where signifiers exist prior to signifieds; this order of purely logical structure is the unconscious. This amounts to a destruction of Saussure's concept of the sign; for Lacan, a language is not composed of signs but of signifiers.
Saussurean algorithm
To illustrate the contrast between his own views and those of Saussure, Lacan replaces Saussure's diagram of the sign with an algorithm which, Lacan argues, should be attributed to Saussure -- and is thus now sometimes referred to as the "Saussurean algorithm."[2] The S stands for the signifier, and the s for the signified; the position of the signified and the signifier is thus inverted, showing the primacy of the signifier (which is capitalized, whereas the signifier is reduced to mere lower-case italic). The arrows and the circle are abolished, representing the absence of a stable or fixed relation between signifier and signified. The bar between the signifier and the signified no longer represents union but the resistance inherent in signification. For Lacan, this algorithm defines "the topography of the unconscious."[3]
See Also
References
- ↑ Saussure, Ferdinand de. (1916) Course in General Linguistics, ed. Charles Bally and Albert Sechehaye, trans. Wade Baskin, Glasgow: Collins Fontana. p.114
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p.149
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 163
