Objet petit a

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The term -- which can be translated as "object small a" -- often remains untranslated.

The term -- which can be translated as "object small a" -- is often left in the French at Lacan's insistence.

This term has sometimes been translated into English as 'object (little) a', but Lacan insisted that it should remain untranslated, "thus acquiring, as it were, the status of an algebraic sign."[1]

Algebraic Sign

  1. Sheridan, Alan. "Translator's note." Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Trans. Alan Sheridan. London: Tavistock Publications, 1977. p.vii-xii