Grammatology is a term introduced by Jacques Derrida to denote his general theory of writing. Although, using the word theory is inappropriate in this context Derrida himself is using it. He does it, as one of his main goals is to demonstrate that theory or science of...
Semiology Glossary
Ground
Ground is a term proposed by Charles Sanders Peirce to define the meaning or meanings that something created to function as a sign vehicle has. Not all of the characteristics of a sign vehicle are essential to its function. For example, a STOP road sign would bear the...
Habit
In the context of Semiotics habit is defined as a predisposition to act in a specific manner in specific circumstances, especially when the agent is prompted or guided by specific motives. According to Charles Sanders Peirce, the meaning of the signs could be...
Haecceitas, Hecceity
Haecceity is a Latin neologism, formed as an abstract noun, derived from the demonstrative pronoun "haec(ce)" meaning "this(very)" or "these(very)". The neologism is formed based on the word haecceitas, which translates as "thisness". It is used to denote something...
Hermeneutic, Hermeneutics
The term Hermeneutic comes from Hermes, a Greek god that has ministered as a messenger of the other gods and was a hero. Often the term is used in a broad sense to denote art or a theory of interpretation of the sacred inscriptions. There is a certain tradition of...
Hermeneutics of Suspicion
Hermeneutics of Suspicion is an expression proposed by Paul Ricœur to denote a specific approach towards the interpretation of the text or discourse in which the main problem is for one to reveal what is not being said, and not so much for what is being said to be...
Heterocriticism
Although the world hetero is nowadays predominantly related to one's sexuality due to the immense presence of sex and gender in the public discourse, in fact, means different. Therefore, hetero criticism is a term that denotes the criticism directed at someone who is...
Heuristic
Charles Sanders Peirce describes his categories as having heuristic functions, by which he means that they are tools or means of researching any subject. Heuristic, therefore, stands for subsidiary means in learning, discovery, or research.
Hic et Nunc
Hic et Nunc is a phrase of Latin descent that stands for "here and now". For Duns Scotus and later for Charles Peirce, the here and now for the objects is their objectification or their individualization (the fact that the object is this one and not that one is...
Homo Loquens
Homo Loquens, like Homo Sapiens, is one of the many ways that we, humans, call ourselves. While Homo Sapiens is a widespread term, that means wise man, the Homo Loquens is a term that is arguably far less recognized among society. The term, again from Latin, stands...
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Chora
Chora from Greek, word for a vessel, container. A term borrowed by Julia Kristeva from Plato's Timaeus, meaning "an essentially mobile and extremely conditional expression constructed by movements and their ephemeral states" (1974 [1984], 25). Chora "precedes...
Cinema
An important and interesting field for semiotic research. Just as the semiotics of cinema has become an important trend in modern film theory, so the art of cinema or cinema has become a favorite topic of today's semiotic research. Here we can see the intersection and...
Clarity (Grades of Clarity)
Different levels or degrees of conceptual clarity about the signs we use. In Charles S. Peirce's perhaps best-known essay, How to Make Our Ideas Clear, he distinguishes three degrees of clarity: subjective awareness, abstract definition, and pragmatic clarification....
Clôture
Conceptual constraints inherent in the Problematique one is dealing with or the paradigm to which one researcher belongs. The Problematique or paradigm not only guides the research but also limits it in certain ways. Clôture stands for exactly this limitation, usually...
Code
Code is One of the six factors involved in any communication process. The metalinguistic function corresponds to this factor. When communication is code-oriented or the codes on which it depends, it is said that its function is metalinguistic (or due to the fact that...
Free Course in Semiology
A completely and truly free course on Semiology (Semiotics). Learn about the meaning of signs, how and why did the field emerged. What is the relationship between the street signs and the signs that we use every day - words.
