[[Image:SAUSSUREANALGORITHM.gif|right|thumb|Saussurean algorithm|The Saussurean algorithm]]
{{Top}}[[signifiant]]{{Bottom}}
==Jacques Lacan==
=====Ferdinand de Saussure=====
[[Lacan]] takes the term "[[signifier]]" from the [[work]] of [[Ferdinand de Saussure]].
The term was not used by According to [[FreudSaussure]], who was unaware the [[signifier]] is the ''phonological'' element of the '''[[Saussuresign]]'''; not the actual sound itself, but the '''[[mental]] [[image]]'s work'' of such a sound.
In [[LacanSaussure]] takes 's [[terms]], the term '[[signifier]]is the "'' from the work of the Swiss 'acoustic image'''" which signifies a [[linguistsignified]], .<ref>[[Saussure|Saussure, Ferdinand de ]]. (1916) ''[[Saussure|Course in General Linguistics]]'', ed. Charles Bally and Albert Sechehaye, trans. Wade Baskin, Glasgow: Collins Fontana. p. 66-7</ref>
According to =====Primacy of the Signifier=====Whereas [[Saussure]], argues that the [[signifier]] is the phonological element of and the '''[[signsignified]]; not the actual sound itself''' are ''mutually interdependent'', but [[Lacan]] states that the [[mentalsignifier]] is ''primary'' and produces the '''[[imagesignified]] of such a sound'''.
In The [[Saussuresignifier]] is first of all a [[meaning]]less [[material]]element in a ''closed differential [[system]]''; this "'''s terms, signifier without the signified'''" is called by [[signifierLacan]] is the "acoustic image'''pure signifier'''" which signifies , though this is a question of [[signifiedlogical]].<ref>rather than [[Saussurechronological]]precedence. 1916: 66--7</ref>
<blockquote>"Every [[Lacanreal]] argues signifier is, as such, a signifier that the signifies [[signifiernothing]] . The more the signifier signifies nothing, the more indestructible it is primary and produces the [[signified]]. "<ref>{{S3}} p. 185</ref></blockquote>
The =====[[signifierThe Subject]] and the Unconscious===== It is a these [[meaning]]less indestructible [[signifier]]s which determine the [[subject]]; the effects of the [[signifier]] on the [[subject]] constitute the [[unconscious]], and hence also constitute the [[materialwhole]] element in a closed differential of the field of [[systempsychoanalysis]].
=====Basic Units of Language=====
Thus for [[Lacan]] [[language]] is not a [[system]] of [[sign]]s -- as it was for [[Saussure]] -- but a [[system]] of [[signifier]]s.
The 'signifier without [[Signifier]]s are the signified' is called by basic units of [[Lacanlanguage]] , and they are "subjected to the 'pure signifier', though this is [[double]] condition of [[being]] reducible to ultimate differential elements and of combining according to the laws of a question of logical rather than chronological precedenceclosed order."<ref>{{E}} p. 152</ref>
<blockquote>=====Differential Elements=====By the phrase "Every real signifier isreducible to ultimate differential elements, as such, a signifier that signifies nothing. The more " [[Lacan]] follows [[Saussure]] in asserting the fundamentally differential [[character]] of the [[signifier signifies nothing, the more indestructible it is."<ref>{{S3}} p]].185</ref></blockquote>
It is these [[meaningSaussure]]less indestructible states that in [[signifierlanguage]]s which determine the there are no positive terms, only [[subjectdifference]]; the effects of the s.<ref>[[signifierSaussure|Saussure, Ferdinand de]] on the . (1916) ''[[subject]] constitute the [[unconsciousSaussure|Course in General Linguistics]]'', ed. Charles Bally and hence also constitute the whole of the field of [[psychoanalysis]]Albert Sechehaye, trans. Wade Baskin, Glasgow: Collins Fontana. p.120</ref>
Thus for =====Signifying Chains=====By the phrase "combining according to the laws of a closed order," [[Lacan]] language is not a asserts that [[systemsignifier]] of s are combined in [[signsignifying chain]]s (as it was for according to the [[Saussure]]) but a [[systemlaw]] s of [[signifiermetonymy]]s.
=====Symbolic Order=====The [[Signifiersignifier]]s are is the basic units constitutive unit of the [[symbolic]] [[languageorder]], and they are "subjected to because it is integrally related with the double condition [[concept]] of being reducible to ultimate differential elements and of combining according to the laws of a closed order."<ref>{{E}} p[[structure]].152</ref>
By the phrase "reducible to ultimate differential elements,<blockquote>" The [[Lacannotion]] follows [[Saussure]] in asserting the fundamentally differential character of the ]]structure and that of signifier]]appear inseparable."<ref>{{S3}} p. 184</ref></blockquote>
[[Saussure]] states that in [[language]] there are no positive terms, only [[difference]]s.<ref>Saussure, 1916: 120</ref> By the phrase 'combining according to the laws The field of a closed order', [[Lacan]] asserts that [[signifier]]s are combined in [[signifying chain]]s according to the [[law]]s of [[metonymy]]. The [[signifier]] is the constitutive unit field of the [[symbolicOther]] , which [[orderLacan]] because it is integrally related with calls "the concept of [[structure]]. "The notion battery of structure and that of signifier appear inseparablesignifiers."<ref>{{S3}} p.184</ref>
The field of the =====That Which Represents a Subject for Another Signifier=====[[Lacan]] defines a [[signifier]] is the field of the as "that which represents a subject for [[Otheranother]]signifier, which " in opposition to the [[Lacansign]] calls , which "the battery of signifiersrepresents something for someone."<ref>{{S11}} p. 207</ref>
To be more precise, one [[signifier]] (called the [[Lacanmaster]] defines a [[signifier]] as "that which , and written '''[[Image:SS1.gif]]''') represents a the [[subject ]] for another ''all other [[signifier," in opposition to the ]]s'' (written '''[[signImage:SS2.gif]], which "represents something for someone."<ref>{{S11}} p''').207</ref>
To be more precise, one [[signifier]] (called the [[master]] [[signifier]], and written S1) represents the [[subject]] for all other [[signifier]]s (written S2).However, no [[signifier]] can ''[[signify]] '' the [[subject]].
=====Sigmund Freud=====
Although the term "[[signifier]]" is [[absent]] from [[Freud]]'s [[Sigmund Freud:Bibliography|work]], [[Lacan]]'s use of the term focuses attention on a recurrent theme in [[Freud]]'s [[Sigmund Freud:Bibliography|writings]].
[[Freud]]'s examples of [[psychoanalytic]] [[interpretation]]s constantly focus on purely [[formal]] [[linguistic]] features.
Thus [[Lacan]]'s [[insistence]] that the [[analyst]] attend to the [[signifier]]s in the [[analysand]]'s [[speech]] is not really an innovation in [[technique]] but an attempt to theorize [[Freud]]'s own method in more rigorous terms.
Although the term '[[signifier]]' =====Words and Non-Linguistic Things=====While it is [[absent]] from [[Freudtrue]]'s work, that when [[Lacan]]'s use of the term focuses attention on a recurrent theme in talks [[Freudabout]]'s writings. [[Freudsignifiers]]'s examples of he is often referring to what [[psychoanalyticothers]] would call simply "[[interpretationword]]s constantly focus on purely formal [[linguistic]] features," the two terms are not equivalent.
Not only can units of [[language]] smaller than [[word]]s ([[phoneme|morpheme]]s and [[phoneme]]s) or larger than [[word]]s (phrases and sentences) also function as [[signifier]]s, but so also can [[linguistic|non-linguistic]] things such as [[object]]s, relationships and [[symptom]]atic [[act]]s.<ref>{{S4}} p. 288</ref>
Thus =====Differential Nature of the Signifier=====The single condition which characterizes something as a [[Lacansignifier]]'s insistence that the , for [[analystLacan]] attend to the , is that it is inscribed in a [[signifiersystem]]s in the which it takes on [[analysandvalue]]'s purely by virtue of its [[speechdifference]] is not really an innovation from the other elements in the [[techniquesystem]] but an attempt to theorise [[Freud]]'s own method in more rigorous terms.
Not only can units of =====Unstable Meaning=====It is this differential [[languagenature]] smaller than words ([[morpheme]]s and [[phoneme]]s) or larger than [[word]]s (phrases and sentences) also function as of the [[signifier]]s, but so also which means that it can non-[[linguistic]] things such as never have a univocal or fixed [[objectmeaning]]]s, relationships and [[symptom]]atic [[act]]s.;<ref>{{S4}} p.288289</ref> on the contrary, its [[meaning]] varies according to the [[position]] which it occupies in the [[structure]].
The single condition which characterises something as a ==See Also=={{See}}* [[signifierLanguage]], for * [[LacanMetaphor]], is that it is inscribed in a ||* [[systemMaterialism]] in which it takes on value purely by virtue of its * [[differenceSign]] from the other elements in the ||* [[systemSignification]].* [[Signified]]||* [[Signifying Chain]]* [[Subject]]{{Also}}
It is this differential nature of the [[signifier]] which means that it can never have a univocal or fixed [[meaning]];<ref>{{S4}} p.289</ref> on the contrary, its [[meaning]] varies according to the [[position]] which it occupies in the [[structure]].
==External Links==
* "[https://www.lacanonline.com/2010/06/what-does-lacan-say-about-the-signifier/ What Does Lacan Say About... The Signifier?]", Owen Hewitson - LacanOnline.com
== References ==
<references/>
signifier 13, 20, 223, 26, 40, 46-8, 61-2, 67, 114, 125-6, 130, 133, 138-9, 141-2, 149-* 60, 176-77, 181, 184, 198-9, 203, 205-14, 217, 219-20, 227-9, 236-7, 241, 247-52, 256-7, * 266, 268-70, 273, 276-7, 278-9, 282, network of signifiers, 42-52, 177, signifier and * signification, 253, signifier and signified, 248, 250 [[Seminar XI]]
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