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Halting the Infinite Regress: Why Every System Needs Its Own Transcendental Signified

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Introduction: Toward a Plurality of Foundations The idea that systems of thought operate according to internal principles has profound implications for how we approach truth, meaning, and the very structure of knowledge. Derrida’s critique of the transcendental signified —a term he deploys to name the illusory promise of a final, absolute meaning—is among the most influential contributions to 20th-century philosophy. However, if we are to take seriously the Saussurean insight that meaning arises only within a system of differences, then Derrida's own critique must also be considered as internal to the system of deconstruction. This article proposes a measured approach: rather than accepting différance as a metaphysical absolute, we should treat it as a system-relative insight, comparable to the foundational principles of Euclidean geometry or the transcendentals of medieval thought. By putting Derrida in dialogue with Euclid, Plato, scholastic philosophers and Saussure, we argue...
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Derrida and Martinet on the Illusion of the Word: Writing, Arche-Writing, and Reflexivity

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Introduction The "word" has long been treated as a fundamental and stable linguistic unit, but this assumption crumbles upon closer examination. André Martinet challenges this view, arguing that the "word" is not a universal linguistic category but a product of historical conventions shaped by writing. In Of Grammatology , Derrida engages with Martinet’s critique, initially hoping that structuralist and functionalist linguistics would challenge the primacy of speech over writing. However, he ultimately concludes that despite Martinet’s challenge to the word as an illusory concept, Martinet remains bound by logocentric assumptions. This article explores the interaction between Derrida and Martinet, focusing on how writing shapes our understanding of language, the distinction between "writing" and "arche-writing," and the implications of Derrida’s deconstruction for his critique of Martinet. Taking a reflexive approach—one that examines how D...
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From Mechanical Translation to AI: Martinet’s Legacy and the Evolution of Linguistic Mediation

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  Introduction Machine translation (MT) has evolved dramatically from its early rule-based methods to today’s AI-driven models. Initially, translation systems relied on word-for-word substitution, an approach that often led to nonsensical or misleading results due to the complexity of linguistic structures. In his article "The Word," André Martinet criticized this method, arguing that treating words as discrete, self-contained units of meaning created an artificial "screen" that obscured the structural and relational nature of language. This article argues that while contemporary AI translation has moved beyond simple lexical substitution, it still struggles to fully account for linguistic interdependence. Despite advancements in deep learning, modern algorithmic models continue to approximate rather than truly understand syntactic and morphological dependencies, making his critique as relevant as ever. By examining Martinet’s structuralist insights, the histori...
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The Screen of the Word: Challenging the Self-Evidence of Linguistic Units

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  Introduction The notion of the "word" as a fundamental building block of language has long been taken for granted in linguistic thought. However, its status as a self-evident concept has been the subject of significant scrutiny. In Course in General Linguistics , Ferdinand de Saussure challenges the traditional view that words are discrete entities with inherent meanings corresponding directly to objects in the world. Instead, he argues that linguistic units emerge from relational contrasts within a structured system rather than from pre-existing reference points. Building on Saussure’s critique, André Martinet, within a functionalist framework, further deconstructs the assumption that the word is a universal or natural unit of language. This article examines Saussure’s foundational arguments against the conventional notion of the word before exploring how Martinet refines and extends this critique through cross-linguistic analysis. Saussure’s Critique of the Word as a ...
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