Difference between revisions of "Sign"

From No Subject - Encyclopedia of Psychoanalysis
Jump to: navigation, search
(The LinkTitles extension automatically added links to existing pages (<a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="https://github.com/bovender/LinkTitles">https://github.com/bovender/LinkTitles</a>).)
(Tags: Mobile edit, Mobile web edit)
 
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
{{Top}}[[signe]]{{Bottom}}
  
−
The term '[[sign]]' ([[French]]: ''[[signe]]'') is defined by [[Jacques Lacan]] as that which "represents something for someone."
+
===Ferdinand de Saussure===
−
 
+
[[Image:SAUSSUREANALGORITHM.gif|thumb|200px|right|The Saussurean Sign]]
−
The [[signifier]] is "that which represents a subject for another signifier."<ref>{{S11}} p.207</ref>
+
According to [[Saussure]], the [[sign]] is the basic unit of [[language]]
−
 
 
−
By engaging with the concept of the [[sign]], [[Lacan]] sets his work in close relation to the [[science]] of [[semiotics]], which has grown rapidly in the twentieth century.
 
−
 
 
−
Two main lines of development can be discerned within semiotics: the European line associated with [[Ferdinand de Saussure]] (which [[Saussure]] himself baptised with the name of '[[semiology]]'), and the North American line associated with [[Charles S. Peirce]].
 
−
 
 
−
===One===
 
−
 
 
−
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 (which [[Saussure]] calls the [[signified]]), and
+
# the [[signified]], a [[conceptual]] element (or [[concept]]), and
−
# a phonological element (called the [[signifier]]).
+
# the [[signifier]], a phonological element (or sound-[[image]]).  
−
 
 
−
The two elements are linked by an arbitrary but unbreakable bond.
 
−
 
 
−
====Saussurean algorithm====
 
−
[[Saussure]] represented the [[sign]] by means of a diagram.<ref>Saussure, 1916: 114</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
In this diagram, the arrows represent the reciprocal implication inherent in [[signification]], and the line between the [[signified]] and the [[signifier]] represents union.
 
−
 
 
−
====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.
 
−
 
 
−
Firstly, whereas [[Saussure]] posited the reciprocal implication between the [[signifier]] and the [[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.  
 
  
−
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]].  
+
The two elements are linked by an [[arbitrary]] but unbreakable bond.
  
−
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 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]].)
  
−
====Saussurean algorithm====
+
=====Jacques Lacan=====
−
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 '[[Saussure]]an algorithm').<ref>{{E}} p.149</ref>
+
[[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.
  
−
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 capitalised, whereas the [[signifier]] is reduced to mere lower-case italic).  
+
=====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.  
  
−
The arrows and the circle are abolished, representing the [[absence]] of a stable or fixed relation between [[signifier]] and [[signified]].  
+
=====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]]. 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.
  
−
The [[bar]] between the [[signifier]] and the [[signified]] no longer represents union but the [[resistance]] inherent in [[signification]].  
+
=====Saussurean algorithm=====
 +
[[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>
  
−
For [[Lacan]], this algorithm defines "the [[topography]] of the [[unconscious]]."<ref>{{E}} p.163</ref>
+
==See Also==
−
 
+
{{See}}
−
 
+
* [[Enunciation]]
−
==Two==
+
* [[Index]]
−
 
+
* [[Language]]
−
According to [[Peirce]], the [[sign]] is something which represents an object to some interpretant (the term 'object' can mean, for Peirce, a physical thing, an event, an idea, or another sign).
+
||
−
 
+
* [[Metaphor]]
−
[[Peirce]] [[divide]]s [[sign]]s into three classes:
+
* [[Materialism]]
−
* '[[symbol]]s',
+
* [[Signification]]
−
* '[[indices]]' and
+
||
−
* '[[icon]]s', which differ in the way they relate to the [[object]].
+
* [[Signified]]
−
 
+
* [[Signifying Chain]]
−
The [[symbol]] has no 'natural' or necessary relationship to the [[object]] it refers to, but is related to the [[object]] by a purely conventional rule.
+
* [[Shifter]]
−
+
||
−
The [[index]] has an 'existential relation' to the [[object]] it represents (i.e. the [[index]] is always spatially or temporally contiguous to the [[object]]).
+
* [[Subject]]
−
 
+
* [[Symbol]]
−
The [[icon]] represents an [[object]] by exhibiting its form via similarity.
+
* [[Symptom]]
−
 
+
{{Also}}
−
[[Peirce]]'s distinctions between [[icon]]s, [[indices]] and [[symbol]]s are analytical and not intended to be mutually exclusive.
 
−
 
 
−
Hence a [[sign]] will almost always function in a variety of modes; personal pronouns, for example, are [[sign]]s which function both symbolically and indexically.
 
−
 
 
−
[[Lacan]] takes up [[Peirce]]'s concept of the [[index]] in order to distinguish between the [[psychoanalytic]] and medical concepts of the [[symptom]], and to distinguish between (animal) [[code]]s and (human) [[language]]s.
 
−
 
 
−
[[Lacan]] also develops the concept of the index along the lines set down by [[Roman Jakobson]] in the concept of the [[shifter]], to distinguish between the [[subject]] of the [[statement]] and the [[subject]] of the [[enunciation]].
 
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
 +
<div style="font-size:11px" class="references-small">
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
−
* sign, 35, 54, 157, 207, 237, 245 [[Seminar XI]]
+
</div>
  
−
[[Category:Linguistic theory]]
+
[[Category:Psychoanalysis]]
 +
[[Category:Jacques Lacan]]
 +
[[Category:Linguistics]]
 +
[[Category:Dictionary]]
 +
[[Category:Language]]
 
[[Category:Symbolic]]
 
[[Category:Symbolic]]
−
[[Category:Jacques Lacan]]
+
[[Category:Concepts]]
 
[[Category:Terms]]
 
[[Category:Terms]]
−
[[Category:Concepts]]
+
[[Category:OK]]
−
[[Category:Psychoanalysis]]
+
 
 +
__NOTOC__
 +
__NOEDITSECTION__

Latest revision as of 23:10, 20 May 2019

French: [[signe]]

Ferdinand de Saussure

The Saussurean Sign

According to Saussure, the sign is the basic unit of language

The sign is constituted by two elements:

  1. the signified, a conceptual element (or concept), and
  2. 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
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 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

  1. ↑ Saussure, Ferdinand de. (1916) Course in General Linguistics, ed. Charles Bally and Albert Sechehaye, trans. Wade Baskin, Glasgow: Collins Fontana. p.114
  2. ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p.149
  3. ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 163


Retrieved from "https://nosubject.com/index.php?title=Sign&oldid=44849"