Date of Award

Fall 1992

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Program/Concentration

Institute for the Humanities

Committee Director

Lawrence Hatab

Committee Member

Charles E. Ruhl

Call Number for Print

Special Collections; LD4331.H85T66

Abstract

This thesis introduces a new meaning of the word "textuality" based on its etymology, as a "woven thing. I reject the notion of isolatable entities that we call "words" and argue that language presents itself, in our experience, as "textual." In this sense, "textuality" is not limited to written texts, but it applies to every linguistic media: thinking, writing, and speaking.

I attempt a distinction between "textuality" and "contextuality" which allows me to isolate this phenomenon, "textuality," and to proceed with a phenomenological description of its features and structures. Among these, I describe to some length what I call "diesis," a mark within the text, which accounts for the hermeneutical stand that we, as language practitioners, are compelled to take in using language.

Finally, I explore some consequences of this approach to language with regard to notions, such as intentionality, metaphysics, poetry, and others.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/9dz1-b665

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