GLOSSEMATICS Meaning and
Definition
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Glossematics is a linguistic theory and methodology developed by the Danish linguist Louis Hjelmslev in the mid-20th century. The term combines two elements – "glosse" referring to the smallest meaningful unit of language, and "sematics" referring to the study of meaning.
Glossematics can be defined as a structural theory of language that focuses on the analysis of meaningful elements, or "glosses," that make up a language system. It aims to unveil the underlying structures and relations between these elements, deciphering the rules and functions that govern their organization.
According to the glossematic framework, meaning is not solely dependent on individual words, but emerges from the combination of various linguistic elements in a system. Glossematics emphasizes the importance of analyzing language in its entirety, considering its structural properties at different levels, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, and syntax. It seeks to uncover the deep-seated patterns and principles that shape language structure and the subsequent production of meaning.
Through its study of language as a system of meaningful elements, glossematics strives to provide a comprehensive understanding of language structure and meaning production. Glossematic analysis includes examining the interplay between the levels of expression and content, exploring how they interact and relate to each other. Furthermore, it also investigates the notion of redundancy in language, highlighting how multiple elements can convey similar or overlapping meanings.
Common Misspellings for GLOSSEMATICS
- flossematics
- vlossematics
- blossematics
- hlossematics
- ylossematics
- tlossematics
- gkossematics
- gpossematics
- goossematics
- glissematics
- glkssematics
- gllssematics
- glpssematics
- gl0ssematics
- gl9ssematics
- gloasematics
- glozsematics
- gloxsematics
- glodsematics
- gloesematics
Etymology of GLOSSEMATICS
The word "glossematics" was coined by Danish linguist and semiotician Louis Hjelmslev in the 1930s. The term is derived from two components: "glosse-" and "-matics".
The first component, "glosse-", derives from the Greek word "glossa", which means "tongue" or "language". This element emphasizes the focus of glossematics on the structure and analysis of language.
The second component, "-matics", is a suffix commonly used in the formation of scientific or academic disciplines. It indicates that the term pertains to the study or field of expertise. Examples include mathematics, physics, and semiotics.
Thus, "glossematics" combines "glossa" with "-matics" to form a word that signifies the study of language structure and analysis.
