Difference between revisions of "Signified"
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| − | According to [[Saussure]], the [[signified]] is the conceptual element of the [[sign]]. | + | |
| − | It is not the real [[object]] denoted by a [[sign]] (the [[referent]]), but a psychological entity corresponding to such an [object]].<ref> | + | ==Ferdinand Saussure== |
| + | According to [[Saussure]], the [[signified]] is the [[conceptual]] element of the [[sign]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | It is not the real [[object]] denoted by a [[sign]] (the [[referent]]), but a [[psychological]] entity corresponding to such an [object]].<ref>[[Saussure]]. 1916. p.66-7)</ref> | ||
For [[Saussure]], the [[signified]] has the same status as the [[signifier]]; both form equal sides of the [[sign]]. | For [[Saussure]], the [[signified]] has the same status as the [[signifier]]; both form equal sides of the [[sign]]. | ||
| − | [[Lacan]] | + | ==Jacques Lacan== |
| + | [[Lacan]] asserts the primacy of the [[signifier]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | He argues that the [[signified]] is a mere effect of the play of [[signifier]]s, an effect of the process of [[signification]] produced by [[metaphor]]. | ||
In other words, the [[signified]] is not given, but produced. | In other words, the [[signified]] is not given, but produced. | ||
| − | [[Lacan]]'s view is thus opposed to an expressionist view of [[language]], according to which concepts exist in some pre-verbal state before being expressed in the material medium of [[language]]. | + | |
| − | In contrast to such a view, [[Lacan]] asserts the priority (logical rather than chronological) of the material element of [[language]]. | + | [[Lacan]]'s view is thus opposed to an expressionist view of [[language]], according to which [[concepts]] exist in some pre-verbal state before being expressed in the [[material]] medium of [[language]]. |
| + | |||
| + | In contrast to such a view, [[Lacan]] asserts the priority (logical rather than chronological) of the [[material]] element of [[language]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==See Also== | ||
| + | * [[Signifier]] | ||
| + | * [[Sign]] | ||
| + | * [[Materialism]] | ||
| + | * [[Language]] | ||
| + | * [[Metaphor]] | ||
| + | * [[Signification]] | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 07:30, 7 July 2006
Ferdinand Saussure
According to Saussure, the signified is the conceptual element of the sign.
It is not the real object denoted by a sign (the referent), but a psychological entity corresponding to such an [object]].[1]
For Saussure, the signified has the same status as the signifier; both form equal sides of the sign.
Jacques Lacan
Lacan asserts the primacy of the signifier.
He argues that the signified is a mere effect of the play of signifiers, an effect of the process of signification produced by metaphor.
In other words, the signified is not given, but produced.
Lacan's view is thus opposed to an expressionist view of language, according to which concepts exist in some pre-verbal state before being expressed in the material medium of language.
In contrast to such a view, Lacan asserts the priority (logical rather than chronological) of the material element of language.
