Deconstructing Language and Subjectivity: Heidegger and Lacan


Introduction

From a Derridean perspective, the analysis of Heidegger's "Speech" (Rede) and "Talk" (Gerede) and Lacan's "Full Speech (Parole pleine or Langage plein)" and "Empty Speech (Parole vide or Langage vide)" offers an opportunity to challenge the privileging of certain language modes over others. Let's delve into this deconstruction within the framework of Derrida's ideas.

Derrida's deconstruction involves challenging binary oppositions and hierarchies by revealing the inherent instability and interdependence of these concepts. In their analysis of these paired concepts, a clear hierarchy is established: "Speech" (Rede) and "Full Speech" are elevated as authentic and genuine, while "Talk" (Gerede) and "Empty Speech" are relegated to inauthentic and superficial realms.

It could be argued that such hierarchies appear problematic and necessitate deconstruction. Here's a deconstructive analysis:

1. Destabilizing Authenticity:

  • We challenge the idea that "Speech" or "Full Speech" is inherently more authentic than "Talk" or "Empty Speech." The very notion of authenticity is precarious and subject to context and interpretation. What is considered authentic in one context may not be so in another.

2. Interplay of Binary Oppositions:

  • Derrida's deconstruction seeks to unveil the interdependence of binary oppositions. In this context, the text sets up binary oppositions of "Speech" vs. "Talk" and "Full Speech" vs. "Empty Speech." These oppositions are not absolute but instead rely on each other to derive their meanings.

3. Unmasking the Suppression:

  • Heidegger and Lacan's privileging of "Speech" and "Full Speech" implies the suppression of "Talk" and "Empty Speech." We question this suppression and suggest that "Talk" and "Empty Speech" also play essential roles in constructing meaning and identity. As Derrida puts it, "there is no outside."

4. Language as a Construct:

  • Derrida's deconstruction underscores that language is not a transparent medium for conveying meaning but rather a constructed and contingent system. "Speech" and "Talk," "Full Speech" and "Empty Speech" are constructs that rely on interpretation and are shaped by cultural, historical, and contextual factors.

In conclusion, a Derridean deconstructive analysis of Heidegger's "Speech" (Rede) and "Talk" (Gerede) and Lacan's "Full Speech" and "Empty Speech" dismantles established hierarchies and binary oppositions, revealing their interdependence and instability. It challenges the preference for certain language modes over others and highlights the constructed nature of language and meaning. This deconstruction invites us to reevaluate notions of authenticity and inauthenticity in language, emphasizing the intricate and fluid nature of linguistic expression.

Related Post

Language and Authenticity: Heidegger and Lacan

https://derridaforlinguists.blogspot.com/2023/10/blog-post_15.html

Bibliography

Bradley, Arthur. Derrida’s Of Grammatology: An Edinburgh Philosophical Guide. Edinburgh University Press, 2008.

Derrida, Jacques. "Structure, Sign, and Play in the Discourse of the Human Sciences."  (1970).

Derrida, Jacques. 1981. Positions. Translated and annotated by Alan Bass. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Derrida, Jacques. Of Grammatology. Corrected Edition. Translated by Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1997. Copyright © 1974, 1976, 1997 by The Johns Hopkins University Press.

Hurst, Andrea. Derrida Vis-à-vis Lacan: Interweaving Deconstruction and Psychoanalysis. New York: Fordham University Press, 2008.

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