Difference between revisions of "Letter"
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| − | + | {{Topp}}lettre{{Bottom}} | |
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| − | + | ==Jacques Lacan== | |
| + | ===Ferdinand de Saussure=== | ||
| + | [[Lacan]]'s frequent references to the "[[letter]]" must be seen within the context of [[Saussure]]'s [[discussion]] of [[language]]. In his ''[[Saussure|Course in General Linguistics]]'', [[Saussure]] privileges [[speech|spoken]] [[language]] above [[writing|written]] [[language]], on the grounds that the former appears before the latter both in the [[time|history]] of [[human|humanity]] and in the [[life]] of the [[individual]]. [[Writing]] is conceived of as a mere secondhand [[representation]] of [[speech|spoken]] [[language]], and the [[signifier]] is conceived of as purely an acoustic [[image]] and not as a graphic one.<ref>[[Saussure|Saussure, Ferdinand de]]. ''[[Saussure|Course in General Linguistics]]'', 1916. Ed. Charles Bally and Albert Sechehaye, trans. Wade Baskin, Glasgow: Collins Fontana.</ref> | ||
| − | + | ===Materiality=== | |
| + | When [[Lacan]] takes up [[Saussure]]'s [[work]] in the 1950s, he adapts it freely to his own purposes. He thus conceives of the [[letter]], not as a mere graphic representation of a sound, but as the [[materialism|material basis]] of [[language]] itself. | ||
| + | <blockquote>"By ''letter'' I designate that [[material]] support that [[concrete]] discourse borrows from language."<ref>{{E}} p. 147</ref></blockquote> | ||
| − | + | The [[letter]] is thus connected with the [[real]], a [[materialism|material substrate]] that underpins the [[symbolic order]]. The [[concept]] of [[materialism|materiality]] implies, for [[Lacan]], both the indivisibility and the [[idea]] of locality; the [[letter]] is therefore "the essentially localized [[structure]] of the signifier."<ref>{{E}} p. 153</ref> | |
| − | + | ===Meaning=== | |
| + | As an element of the [[real]], the [[letter]] is [[meaning]]less in itself. [[Lacan]] illustrates this by referring to ancient [[Egyptian hieroglyphics]], which were indecipherable to Europeans for so long. Until Champollion was able to decipher [[them]] on the basis of the Rosetta Stone, no one knew how to [[understand]] these enigmatic inscriptions, but it was nevertheless clear that they were organized into a signifying [[system]].<ref>{{S1}} p. 244-5; {{E}} p. 160</ref> In the same way, the [[signifier]] persists as a [[meaning]]less [[letter]] which makes the destiny of the [[subject]] and which he must decipher. | ||
| − | + | A [[good]] example of this is the [[case]] of the [[Wolf Man]], in which [[Freud]] noted that the [[meaning]]less [[letter]] V reappeared under many guides in the [[Wolf Man]]'s life.<ref>{{F}} "[[Works of Sigmund Freud|From the History of an Infantile Neurosis]]," 1918b [1914]. [[SE]] XVII, 3.</ref> As the example of the [[Wolf Man]] demonstrates, the [[letter]] is essentially that which [[return]]s and [[repetition|repeats]] itself; it constantly insists in inscribing itself in the [[subject]]'s life. | |
| − | + | ===Repetition=== | |
| + | [[Lacan]] illustrates this [[repetition]] by reference to [[Edgar Allan Poe]]'s story ''[[The Purloined Letter]]''.<ref>Poe, Edgar Allan. 1844. "The [[Purloined Letter]]," in ''Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe'', New York: Pocket [[Library]], 1951.</ref> Playing on the [[double]]-meaning of the term "[[letter]]", [[Lacan]] presents [[Poe]]'s account of a written document (a [[letter]]) which passes through various hands as a [[metaphor]] for the [[signifier]] which circulates between various [[subject]]s, assigning a peculiar [[position]] to whoever is possessed by it.<ref>{{L}} 1955a. "[[Works of Jacques Lacan|Le séminaire sur 'La lettre volée']]", in [[Jacques Lacan]], ''[[Écrits]]'', [[Paris]]: Seuil, 1966, pp. 11-61 ["[[Works of Jacques Lacan|Seminar on 'The Purloined Letter']]", trans. Jeffrey Mehlman, ''Yale [[French]] Studies'', 48 (1972): 38-72.</ref> It is in this paper that [[Lacan]] proposes that "a letter always arrives at its destination."<ref>{{Ec}} p.41</ref> | ||
| − | + | ===To the Letter=== | |
| − | + | It is because of the [[role]] of the [[letter]] in the [[unconscious]] that the [[analyst]] must focus not on the [[meaning]] or the [[signification]] of the [[analysand]]'s [[discourse]], but purely on its [[formal]] properties; the [[analyst]] must read the [[analysand]]'s [[speech]] as if it were a [[text]], "taking it literally" (''prendre à la lettre''). | |
| − | + | =====Writing===== | |
| − | + | There is thus a close connection between the [[letter]] and [[writing]], a connection which [[Lacan]] explores in his [[seminar]] of 1972-3.<ref>{{S20}} pp. 29-38</ref> Although both the [[letter]] and [[writing]] are located in the [[order]] of the [[real]], and hence partake of a [[meaning]]less quality, [[Lacan]] argues that the [[letter]] is that which one reads, as opposed to [[writing]], which is not to be read.<ref>{{S20}} p. 29</ref> [[Writing]] is also connected with the idea of [[formalization]] and the [[matheme]]s; [[Lacan]] thus speaks of his [[algebra]]ic [[symbol]]s as "[[letter]]s."<ref>{{S20}} p. 30</ref> [[Lacan]]'s concept of the [[letter]] is the subject of a critique by [[Jacques Derrida]]<ref>[[Jacques Derrida|Derrida, Jacques]] 1975. "Le facteur de la vérité," in ''The Post Card: From [[Socrates]] to Freud and Beyond'', trans. Alan Bass, Chicago and [[London]]: [[University]] of Chicago Press, 1987, pp. 413-96.</ref> and by two of [[Derrida]]'s followers.<ref>Lacoue-Labarthe, Philippe, and Nancy, Jean-Luc. 1973. ''Le Titre de la lettre'', Paris: Galilée.</ref>. [[Lacan]] refers to the latter work in his 1972-3 [[seminar]].<ref>{{S20}} p. 62-6.</ref> | |
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| − | + | ==See Also== | |
| + | {{See}} | ||
| + | * [[Language]] | ||
| + | * [[Materialism]] | ||
| + | || | ||
| + | * [[Meaning]] | ||
| + | * [[Signifier]] | ||
| + | || | ||
| + | * [[Speech]] | ||
| + | * [[Unconscious]] | ||
| + | {{Also}} | ||
| − | + | ==References== | |
| − | + | <div style="font-size:11px" class="references-small"> | |
| − | == | + | <references/> |
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[[Category:Psychoanalysis]] | [[Category:Psychoanalysis]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Jacques Lacan]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Dictionary]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Language]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Symbolic]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Concepts]] | ||
[[Category:Terms]] | [[Category:Terms]] | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:OK]] |
| − | + | __NOTOC__ | |
Latest revision as of 00:47, 26 May 2019
| French: lettre |
Jacques Lacan
Ferdinand de Saussure
Lacan's frequent references to the "letter" must be seen within the context of Saussure's discussion of language. In his Course in General Linguistics, Saussure privileges spoken language above written language, on the grounds that the former appears before the latter both in the history of humanity and in the life of the individual. Writing is conceived of as a mere secondhand representation of spoken language, and the signifier is conceived of as purely an acoustic image and not as a graphic one.[1]
Materiality
When Lacan takes up Saussure's work in the 1950s, he adapts it freely to his own purposes. He thus conceives of the letter, not as a mere graphic representation of a sound, but as the material basis of language itself.
"By letter I designate that material support that concrete discourse borrows from language."[2]
The letter is thus connected with the real, a material substrate that underpins the symbolic order. The concept of materiality implies, for Lacan, both the indivisibility and the idea of locality; the letter is therefore "the essentially localized structure of the signifier."[3]
Meaning
As an element of the real, the letter is meaningless in itself. Lacan illustrates this by referring to ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, which were indecipherable to Europeans for so long. Until Champollion was able to decipher them on the basis of the Rosetta Stone, no one knew how to understand these enigmatic inscriptions, but it was nevertheless clear that they were organized into a signifying system.[4] In the same way, the signifier persists as a meaningless letter which makes the destiny of the subject and which he must decipher.
A good example of this is the case of the Wolf Man, in which Freud noted that the meaningless letter V reappeared under many guides in the Wolf Man's life.[5] As the example of the Wolf Man demonstrates, the letter is essentially that which returns and repeats itself; it constantly insists in inscribing itself in the subject's life.
Repetition
Lacan illustrates this repetition by reference to Edgar Allan Poe's story The Purloined Letter.[6] Playing on the double-meaning of the term "letter", Lacan presents Poe's account of a written document (a letter) which passes through various hands as a metaphor for the signifier which circulates between various subjects, assigning a peculiar position to whoever is possessed by it.[7] It is in this paper that Lacan proposes that "a letter always arrives at its destination."[8]
To the Letter
It is because of the role of the letter in the unconscious that the analyst must focus not on the meaning or the signification of the analysand's discourse, but purely on its formal properties; the analyst must read the analysand's speech as if it were a text, "taking it literally" (prendre à la lettre).
Writing
There is thus a close connection between the letter and writing, a connection which Lacan explores in his seminar of 1972-3.[9] Although both the letter and writing are located in the order of the real, and hence partake of a meaningless quality, Lacan argues that the letter is that which one reads, as opposed to writing, which is not to be read.[10] Writing is also connected with the idea of formalization and the mathemes; Lacan thus speaks of his algebraic symbols as "letters."[11] Lacan's concept of the letter is the subject of a critique by Jacques Derrida[12] and by two of Derrida's followers.[13]. Lacan refers to the latter work in his 1972-3 seminar.[14]
See Also
References
- ↑ Saussure, Ferdinand de. Course in General Linguistics, 1916. Ed. Charles Bally and Albert Sechehaye, trans. Wade Baskin, Glasgow: Collins Fontana.
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 147
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 153
- ↑ 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. 244-5; Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p. 160
- ↑ Freud, Sigmund. "From the History of an Infantile Neurosis," 1918b [1914]. SE XVII, 3.
- ↑ Poe, Edgar Allan. 1844. "The Purloined Letter," in Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe, New York: Pocket Library, 1951.
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. 1955a. "Le séminaire sur 'La lettre volée'", in Jacques Lacan, Écrits, Paris: Seuil, 1966, pp. 11-61 ["Seminar on 'The Purloined Letter'", trans. Jeffrey Mehlman, Yale French Studies, 48 (1972): 38-72.
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Écrits. Paris: Seuil, 1966. p.41
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre XX. Encore, 1972-73. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1975. pp. 29-38
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre XX. Encore, 1972-73. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1975. p. 29
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre XX. Encore, 1972-73. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1975. p. 30
- ↑ Derrida, Jacques 1975. "Le facteur de la vérité," in The Post Card: From Socrates to Freud and Beyond, trans. Alan Bass, Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press, 1987, pp. 413-96.
- ↑ Lacoue-Labarthe, Philippe, and Nancy, Jean-Luc. 1973. Le Titre de la lettre, Paris: Galilée.
- ↑ Lacan, Jacques. Le Séminaire. Livre XX. Encore, 1972-73. Ed. Jacques-Alain Miller. Paris: Seuil, 1975. p. 62-6.
