Sign, Symbol, and Metalanguage
Against the Integration of Semiotics and Symbolic Interactionism
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 2480875 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Lesley D Harman (Trent University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1986 |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 147-160 |
| Publication date | 1986-03-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Symbolic Interaction (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0195-6086 • E-ISSN: 1533-8665 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1525/si.1986.9.1.147 |
| OpenAlex | W2108993002 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 4 |
| References cited | 4 |
Dean MacCannell's proposal for a 'rapprochement' between symbolic interaction-ism and semiotics, in which the 'generality' of symbolic interactionism's conception the sign is 'raised' to that of semiotics, is examined. By turning exclusively to Saussurian semiotics, MacCannell does not adequately reflect the distinction between 'natural' and 'arbitrary' representation in Peirce's semiosis that is the most fruitful link with Mead's symbolic interactionism. Consequently, MacCannell's argument at the level of terminology is flawed. Rather than merging, the perspectives might benefit from a radical rethinking of representation. This would involve preserving the distinction between the 'natural' and 'arbitrary,' while at the same time recognizing that in mass society 'arbitrary' representation has become a kind of 'second-order' (Barthes) indexical metalanguage of membership within which symbolic interaction may occur. As Baudrillard claims, 'commutation of signs' has replaced 'interaction of symbols,' yet strains against an unfulfilled symbolic demand. Efforts should be directed at generating a theory of representation capable of addressing the tension that produces this symbolic demand
Epistemology · Ethnomethodology · Indexicality · Linguistics · Metalanguage · Politics · Psychoanalysis · Semiosis · Semiotics · Sign system · Social semiotics · Sociology · Symbolic interactionism · The Symbolic · Communication · Law · Mathematics · Media, Communication, and Education · Philosophy · Pragmatism in Philosophy and Education · Psychology · Semiotics and Representation Studies
| Unique citing works | 4 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,1 |
| Citation span | 1987 - 2014 (28) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 4 |