Dissertation Abstract
A Semiotic Theory of Communication
by
Kupers, Lawrence Brian
Degree: Ph.D.
Year: 1983
Pages: 277
Institution: State
University Of
New York At
Stony Brook; 0771
Source: DAI, 44, no. 12A, (1983): 3714
C.
S. Peirce and others have attempted to construct a general theory of signs
which includes natural signs, linguistic expressions, and artistic
representations. No such effort has gained wide acceptance. This study is based
on the hypothesis that the failure of previous attempts to frame such a theory
can be attributed to misconceptions of the more complex types of signs, the "higher-level
vehicles." The critical sections of the study include an examination of
one product of the tradition of semiological inquiry initiated by Ferdinand de
Saussure as well as P. Grice's program for a theory of nonnatural meaning.
Roman Jakobson's code-based approach to verbal communication takes for granted
the existence of an underlying semiotic structure or code. If Jakobson's theory
is to be generalized so as to cover all cases of communication, his notion of
code must be challenged. The Gricean conditions for nonnatural meaning were
modified by J. Bennett to provide weaker conditions which accomplish the same
goals as the Gricean conditions. Our modification of J. Bennett's sub-Gricean
conditions for nonnatural meaning becomes the core of our constructive efforts.
Our basic theory of communication includes characterizations of
"attempting-to-communicate" (i.e. either
"attempting-to-inform" or "attempting-to-enjoin"),
"utterance" (i.e. "communicative vehicle") and
"(successful) communication." The theory is then complicated in
successive steps (typification, conventionality, and grammaticality) so as to encompass
communicative systems as complex as natural languages. Armstrong's distinction
between signification and mock signification is used to clarify our theory's
treatment of natural languages as communicative systems. The notion of miscommunication
is briefly discussed. In the concluding chapter we try to motivate a theory of
signification which would include as a special case our theory of
communication. The problematic of signification is mapped out in a discussion
of the major categories of signs and in some remarks about expressive signs.
The study ends with a homage to C. S. Peirce's
philosophical inventiveness.
SUBJECT(S)
Descriptor: PHILOSOPHY
Accession
No: AAG8405386
Provider: OCLC
Database: Dissertations