The semiotic perpetuum mobile in action: OMON, homonyms and antonyms
- DOI
- 10.5922/2225-5346-2023-1-6
- Pages
- 86-106
Abstract
We address the interaction of various interpretations of lexical items, which leads to a change in the correlation between signifieds and signifiers and the formation of new signs. Addressing the polysemic slogan ‘ОМОН-И-МЫ — АНТОНИМЫ’, we explicate the mechanism of semiotic Perpetuum mobile, that is, the cyclic recursions that allow simultaneous actualization of various interpretations of this utterance. We demonstrate that the analysis of semantic relations in their dynamics requires the introduction of new theoretical concepts. The general principle of dynamic semiosis is demonstrated — that is the recursive relations when a signified of one sign through intermediate operations (homonymy and synonymy) becomes a signifier of another and vice versa. In this semantic Perpetuum mobile, no single interpretation reaches the final point. It goes back to the previous state without producing new meanings and signs but repeating the already passed cycle. Each of the co-existing interpretations returns to itself, demonstrating — in a paradoxical and tautological way — Luhman’s concept of paradox and tautology as two only possible states of a self-describing system. The same process, but being considered from the starting point demonstrates the paradoxicality and tautology of the process of signification.
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