Difference between revisions of "Enunciation"

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=def=
 
  
ENUNCIATION (''Enonciation'')
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==The Statement and the Enunciation==
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In [[linguistics]], one important distinction is that between the [[enunciation]] (''enonciation'') and the [[statement]] (''enonce'').
  
In linguistics, one important distinction is that between the [[enunciation]] (''enonciation'') and the [[statement]] (''enonce'').
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===The Statement===
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The [[statement]] (''enonce'') refers to the actual [[words]] uttered.
  
The [[statement]] (''enonce'') refers to the actual [[words]] uttered.
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The [[statement]] is analysed in terms of abstract grammar, independent of the specific circumstances of occurrence.
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===The Enunciation===
 
The [[enunciation]] (''enonciation'') refers to the act of uttering them.
 
The [[enunciation]] (''enonciation'') refers to the act of uttering them.
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The [[enunciation]] is analyzed as an individual act performed by a particular speaker at a specific time/place, and in a specific situation.
  
When linguistic production is analysed in terms of abstract grammatical units (such as sentences), independent of the specific circumstances of occurrence, it is referred to as a statement.
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==The Subject==
On the other hand, when linguistic production is analysed as an individual act performed by a particular speaker at a specific time/place, and in a specific situation, it is referred to  as  an enunciation.
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[[Lacan]] designates the [[enunciation]] as [[unconscious]], and affirms that the source of [[speech]] is not the [[ego]], nor [[consciousness]], but the [[unconscious]]; [[language]] comes from the [[Other]], and the idea that '[[I]]' am [[master]] of my [[discourse]] is only an [[illusion]].  
  
In 1936, Lacan states that the act of speaking contains a meaning in itself, even if the actual words spoken are 'meaningless.'<ref>Ec. p.83</ref>
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The very word '[[I]]' (''Je'') is ambiguous; as a [[shifter]], it is both a [[signifier]] acting as [[subject]] of the [[statement]], and an index which designates, but does not [[signify]], the [[subject]] of the [[enunciation]].<ref>E, 298</ref>
  
[[Speech]], prior to any function it may have in 'conveying a message', is an appeal to the [[other]].
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The [[subject]] is thus [[split]] between these two levels, divided in the very act of articulating the "I" that presents the [[illusion]] of [[unity]].<ref>Sll, 139</ref>
  
Lacan focuses his attention on the dimension of the enunciation, the act of speaking in itself, irrespective of the content of the utterance.
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==Examples==
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===Speech Act===
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Lacan focuses his attention on the dimension of the [[enunciation]], the [[act]] of [[speaking]] in itself, irrespective of the content of the utterance.
  
In 1946, Lacan uses the term 'enunciation' to describe strange characteristics of psychotic language, with its 'duplicity of the enunciation.'<ref>Ec, 167</ref>  
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In 1936, [[Lacan]] states that the [[act]] of speaking contains a meaning in itself, even if the actual words spoken are "meaningless."<ref>{{Ec}} p.83</ref>
  
In the 1950s, the term is used to locate the [[subject of the unconscious]].  
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[[Speech]], prior to any function it may have in "conveying a message," is an appeal to the [[other]].
  
In the [[graph of desire]], the lower [[chain]] is the [[statement]], which is [[speech]] in its [[conscious]] dimension, while the upper [[chain]] is "the [[unconscious]] [[enunciation]]."<ref>E, 316</ref>
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===Psychosis===
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In 1946, Lacan uses the term 'enunciation' to describe strange characteristics of psychotic language, with its "duplicity of the enunciation."<ref>{{Ec}} p.167</ref>  
  
[[Lacan]] designates the [[enunciation]] as u[[nconscious]], and affirms that the source of [[speech]] is not the [[ego]], nor [[consciousness]], but the [[unconscious]]; [[language]] comes from the [[Other]], and the idea that '[[I]]' am [[master]] of my [[discourse]] is only an [[illusion]].  
+
===Subject of the Unconscious===
 +
In the 1950s, the term is used to locate the [[subject of the unconscious]].  
  
The very word '[[I]]' (''Je'') is ambiguous; as a [[shifter]], it is both a [[signifier]] acting as [[subject]] of the [[statement]], and an index which designates, but does not [[signify]], the [[subject]] of the [[enunciation]].<ref>E, 298</ref>
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===Graph of Desire===
 
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In the [[graph of desire]], the lower [[chain]] is the [[statement]], which is [[speech]] in its [[conscious]] dimension, while the upper [[chain]] is "the [[unconscious]] [[enunciation]]."<ref>{{E}} p.316</ref>
The [[subject]] is thus [[split]] between these two levels, divided in the very act of articulating the "I" that presents the [[illusion]] of [[unity]].<ref>Sll, 139</ref>
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 
  
 
[[Category:Terms]]
 
[[Category:Terms]]

Revision as of 01:33, 24 June 2006

The Statement and the Enunciation

In linguistics, one important distinction is that between the enunciation (enonciation) and the statement (enonce).

The Statement

The statement (enonce) refers to the actual words uttered.

The statement is analysed in terms of abstract grammar, independent of the specific circumstances of occurrence.

The Enunciation

The enunciation (enonciation) refers to the act of uttering them. The enunciation is analyzed as an individual act performed by a particular speaker at a specific time/place, and in a specific situation.

The Subject

Lacan designates the enunciation as unconscious, and affirms that the source of speech is not the ego, nor consciousness, but the unconscious; language comes from the Other, and the idea that 'I' am master of my discourse is only an illusion.

The very word 'I' (Je) is ambiguous; as a shifter, it is both a signifier acting as subject of the statement, and an index which designates, but does not signify, the subject of the enunciation.[1]

The subject is thus split between these two levels, divided in the very act of articulating the "I" that presents the illusion of unity.[2]

Examples

Speech Act

Lacan focuses his attention on the dimension of the enunciation, the act of speaking in itself, irrespective of the content of the utterance.

In 1936, Lacan states that the act of speaking contains a meaning in itself, even if the actual words spoken are "meaningless."[3]

Speech, prior to any function it may have in "conveying a message," is an appeal to the other.

Psychosis

In 1946, Lacan uses the term 'enunciation' to describe strange characteristics of psychotic language, with its "duplicity of the enunciation."[4]

Subject of the Unconscious

In the 1950s, the term is used to locate the subject of the unconscious.

Graph of Desire

In the graph of desire, the lower chain is the statement, which is speech in its conscious dimension, while the upper chain is "the unconscious enunciation."[5]

References

  1. E, 298
  2. Sll, 139
  3. Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. p.83
  4. Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. p.167
  5. Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p.316