[[Image:SAUSSUREANALGORITHM.gif|right|thumb|Saussurean algorithm|The Saussurean algorithm]]
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==Jacques Lacan==
The =====Ferdinand de Saussure=====[[Lacan]] takes the term was not used by "[[Freudsignifier]]" from the [[work]], who was unaware of [[Ferdinand de Saussure]]'s work.
According to [[LacanSaussure]] takes , the term '[[signifier]]is the ''phonological'' from the work element of the Swiss '''[[linguistsign]]'''; not the actual sound itself, but the '''[[mental]] [[Ferdinand de Saussureimage]]''' of such a sound.
According to In [[Saussure]]'s [[terms]], the [[signifier]] is the phonological element of the "'''acoustic image'''" which signifies a [[signsignified]]; not the actual sound itself, but the .<ref>[[mentalSaussure|Saussure, Ferdinand de]] . (1916) ''[[imageSaussure|Course in General Linguistics]] of such a sound'', ed. Charles Bally and Albert Sechehaye, trans. Wade Baskin, Glasgow: Collins Fontana. p. 66-7</ref>
In =====Primacy of the Signifier=====Whereas [[Saussure]]'s terms, argues that the [[signifier]] is and the "acoustic image" which signifies a '''[[signified]].<ref>''' are ''mutually interdependent'', [[Lacan]] states that the [[signifier]] is ''primary'' and produces the '''[[Saussuresignified]]'''. 1916: 66--7</ref>
The [[signifier]] is first of all a [[meaning]]less [[material]] element in a ''closed differential [[system]]''; this "'''signifier without the signified'''" is called by [[Lacan]] argues that the "'''pure signifier'''", though this is a question of [[signifierlogical]] is primary and produces the rather than [[signifiedchronological]]precedence.
The <blockquote>"Every [[signifierreal]] signifier is , as such, a signifier that signifies [[meaning]]less [[material]] element in a closed differential [[systemnothing]].The more the signifier signifies nothing, the more indestructible it is."<ref>{{S3}} p. 185</ref></blockquote>
=====[[The Subject]] and the Unconscious=====
It is 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 [[whole]] of the field of [[psychoanalysis]].
The 'signifier without the signified' is called by =====Basic Units of Language=====Thus for [[Lacan]] the 'pure signifier', though this [[language]] is not a question [[system]] of logical rather than chronological precedence[[sign]]s -- as it was for [[Saussure]] -- but a [[system]] of [[signifier]]s.
<blockquote>[[Signifier]]s are the basic units of [[language]], and they are "Every real signifier is, as such, a signifier that signifies nothing. The more subjected to the signifier signifies nothing, [[double]] condition of [[being]] reducible to ultimate differential elements and of combining according to the more indestructible it islaws of a closed order."<ref>{{S3E}} p.185152</ref></blockquote>
It is these =====Differential Elements=====By the phrase "reducible to ultimate differential elements," [[meaningLacan]]less indestructible follows [[signifierSaussure]]s which determine in asserting the fundamentally differential [[subjectcharacter]]; the effects of the [[signifier]] on the [[subject]] constitute the [[unconscious]], and hence also constitute the whole of the field of [[psychoanalysis]].
Thus for [[LacanSaussure]] language is not a states that in [[systemlanguage]] of there are no positive terms, only [[signdifference]]s (as it was for .<ref>[[Saussure|Saussure, Ferdinand de]]. (1916) but a ''[[systemSaussure|Course in General Linguistics]] of [[signifier]]s'', ed. Charles Bally and Albert Sechehaye, trans. Wade Baskin, Glasgow: Collins Fontana. p. 120</ref>
=====Signifying Chains=====By the phrase "combining according to the laws of a closed order," [[Lacan]] asserts that [Signifier[signifier]]s are the basic units of combined in [[languagesignifying chain]], and they are "subjected to the double condition of being reducible to ultimate differential elements and of combining s according to the laws [[law]]s of a closed order."<ref>{{E}} p[[metonymy]].152</ref>
By =====Symbolic Order=====The [[signifier]] is the constitutive unit of the phrase "reducible to ultimate differential elements," [[Lacansymbolic]] follows [[Saussureorder]] in asserting the fundamentally differential character of because it is integrally related with the [[concept]]signifierof [[structure]].
<blockquote>"The [[Saussurenotion]] states of structure and that in [[language]] there are no positive terms, only [[difference]]sof signifier appear inseparable."<ref>Saussure, 1916: 120{{S3}} p. 184</ref></blockquote>
By The field of the phrase 'combining according to the laws of a closed order', [[Lacansignifier]] asserts that is the field of the [[signifierOther]]s are combined in , which [[signifying chainLacan]]s according to calls "the [[law]]s battery of [[metonymy]]signifiers."
The =====That Which Represents a Subject for Another Signifier=====[[signifierLacan]] is the constitutive unit of the defines a [[symbolicsignifier]] as "that which represents a subject for [[orderanother]] because it is integrally related with signifier," in opposition to the concept of [[structuresign]], which "represents something for someone."<ref>{{S11}} p.207</ref>
"The notion of structure To be more precise, one [[signifier]] (called the [[master]] [[signifier]], and that of written '''[[Image:SS1.gif]]''') represents the [[subject]] for ''all other [[signifier appear inseparable]]s'' (written '''[[Image:SS2."<ref>{{S3}} pgif]]''').184</ref>
The field of the However, no [[signifier]] is the field of the can ''[[Othersignify]], which '' the [[Lacansubject]] calls "the battery of signifiers."
=====Sigmund Freud=====Although the term "[[signifier]]" is [[absent]] from [[Freud]]'s [[Sigmund Freud:Bibliography|work]], [[Lacan]] defines 's use of the term focuses attention on a recurrent theme in [[signifierFreud]] as "that which represents a subject for another signifier," in opposition to the 's [[signSigmund Freud:Bibliography|writings]], which "represents something for someone."<ref>{{S11}} p.207</ref>
To be more precise, one [[signifierFreud]] (called the 's examples of [[masterpsychoanalytic]] [[signifier]], and written S1) represents the [[subject]] for all other [[signifierinterpretation]]s (written S2).However, no [[signifier]] can constantly focus on purely [[signifyformal]] the [[subjectlinguistic]]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.
=====Words and Non-Linguistic Things=====
While it is [[true]] that when [[Lacan]] talks [[about]] [[signifiers]] he is often referring to what [[others]] would call simply "[[word]]s," 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>
Although =====Differential Nature of the term 'Signifier=====The single condition which characterizes something as a [[signifier]]' is [[absent]] from [[Freud]]'s work, for [[Lacan]]'s use of the term focuses attention on , is that it is inscribed in a recurrent theme in [[Freudsystem]]'s writings. in which it takes on [[Freudvalue]]'s examples purely by virtue of its [[psychoanalyticdifference]] from the other elements in the [[interpretation]]s constantly focus on purely formal [[linguisticsystem]] features.
=====Unstable Meaning=====
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]].
Thus ==See Also=={{See}}* [[LacanLanguage]]'s insistence that the * [[analystMetaphor]] attend to the ||* [[signifierMaterialism]]s in the * [[analysandSign]]'s ||* [[speechSignification]] is not really an innovation in * [[techniqueSignified]] but an attempt to theorise ||* [[FreudSignifying Chain]]'s own method in more rigorous terms.* [[Subject]]{{Also}}
Not only can units of [[language]] smaller than words ([[morpheme]]s and [[phoneme]]s) or larger than [[word]]s (phrases and sentences) also function as [[signifier]]s, but so also can non-[[linguistic]] things such as [[object]]]s, relationships and [[symptom]]atic [[act]]s.<ref>{{S4}} p.288</ref>
The single condition which characterises something as a [[signifier]], for [[Lacan]], is that it is inscribed in a [[system]] in which it takes on value purely by virtue of its [[difference]] from the other elements in the [[system]].
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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