Différance

Definition

Différance is a term coined by Jacques Derrida that refers to the concept of meaning being perpetually deferred and never fully present. It highlights the idea that meaning is constructed through a play of differences in language, rather than being fixed or inherent, emphasizing the instability and fluidity of meaning in texts and discourse.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Différance plays a crucial role in poststructuralism, as it challenges the idea of absolute meanings and emphasizes that meaning is always contingent on context.
2. The term suggests that every act of meaning-making involves both 'to differ' and 'to defer,' indicating a dual process where meanings are always shifting.
3. Derrida used différance to critique traditional logocentrism, which prioritizes spoken language as a more authentic form of communication compared to written language.
4. In practice, différance shows how interpretations can vary widely depending on cultural, historical, and situational contexts, making consensus on meaning difficult.
5. By emphasizing the instability of meaning, différance opens up texts to multiple interpretations and questions the authority of any singular reading.

Review Questions

• How does différance contribute to the understanding of meaning in poststructuralism?
  • Différance contributes to poststructuralism by asserting that meaning is never fixed but instead always in flux. It highlights that meanings are constructed through differences between words rather than intrinsic values. This perspective challenges traditional notions of meaning as static, emphasizing instead that each interpretation can change based on context and usage.
• What implications does différance have for textual analysis and interpretation?
  • The implications of différance for textual analysis are significant; it encourages readers to recognize that texts are not repositories of fixed meanings but dynamic constructs open to various interpretations. This means that when analyzing a text, one should consider the interplay of language and the multiple contexts influencing its interpretation. It also underscores the importance of examining how texts reference and relate to one another, as well as how societal norms shape understanding.
• Evaluate the relevance of différance in contemporary art criticism and its impact on how we perceive artistic intention.
  • Différance remains highly relevant in contemporary art criticism as it allows for a more nuanced understanding of artistic intention. By acknowledging that meanings are deferred and constructed through multiple lenses, critics can appreciate how artworks resonate differently with diverse audiences. This shift away from seeking singular interpretations enables richer dialogues about art's impact and significance, fostering an environment where multiple perspectives are valued and explored.

Related terms

Deconstruction: A critical approach that seeks to uncover the assumptions and contradictions within a text, revealing how meaning is constructed and suggesting that it is always open to interpretation.

Signifier and Signified: In semiotics, the signifier is the form of a word or expression, while the signified is the concept or meaning it represents. The relationship between them is arbitrary and based on social convention.

Intertextuality: The idea that a text's meaning is shaped by its relationship to other texts, highlighting that no text exists in isolation and that meaning is created through connections and references.