Actualization

The term actualization designates one of two basic modes of semiotic existence: virtual and actual. Actualizing modalities are knowing (savoir) and being able to do or to be (pouvoir). With regard to language, actualization denotes the operation by which any given language unit is rendered 'present' within a particular linguistic context. Resulting actual existence (in praesentia) characterizes the syntagmatic axis of language, that is, the sentence in the speech flow (parole) as opposed to the language system (langue) from which individual units are selected. Any lexeme, for example, has only virtual existence until it becomes actualized in the context that turns it into a sememe.

Narrative semiotics replaces the couple virtualization/actualization with the ternary virtualization/actualization/realization in order to describe accurately all possible kinds of junction between a subject and an object. Before any junction has been specified, subjects and objects are in virtual positions. Their position is realized once subject and object are conjoined. When, however, they are in a state of disjunction, they are termed actualized. This kind of actualization relates to two possible moments in a quest:

1. It applies when the subject of a quest has acquired competence but has not yet reached the stage of performance and is therefore still disjoined from its object of value. Example: When Bluebeard's wife has obtained the key to the rooms she is not allowed to open, her quest can be described as actualized. Once she has transgressed the taboo, opened the door and seen the horrible truth, she is conjoined with the object of value (knowledge) and the positions are thus realized.

2. Actualization also relates to a state of disjunction that succeeds a quest which has been realized. Example: When Cinderella wishes for a dress to go to the ball, the dress has only virtual existence (in absentia) for her. Once her fairy godmother has produced the garment and given it to Cinderella, subject and object are conjoined and are therefore realized. After the ball, the garment has been returned, subject and object are again disjoined and in the event are merely actualized. In other words, actualization here corresponds with a transformation which amounts to an operation of disjunction. This, on the discursive level, is often tantamount to deprivation.

See also lexeme, realization, sememe and visualization.

اخر الاخبار

اخبار العتبة العباسية المقدسة

قسم العلاقات العامة يناقش مع منتدى شباب الإسكان إقامة مهرجان تكريم طالبات المدارس المرتديات العباءة في القادسية

سماحة السيد الصافي يدعو إلى توحيد الجهود في تحقيق التراث لضمان الرصانة والدقة وخدمة الساحة العلمية

المجمع العلمي ينظم محاضرة إرشادية ضمن المشروع القرآني في مدارس بابل

بذكرى شهادته.. العتبة العباسية المقدسة تشرع في تقديم خدماتها لزائري مرقد الإمام الكاظم (عليه السلام)

المزيد

الآخبار الصحية

6 فواكة تساعدك على الشعور بتحسّن عند المرض

حفاظا على صحة العين.. هذا أفضل وقت لتناول فيتامين أ

الاستخدام اليومي لسماعات الأذن.. أخطر مما تتصور !

هل توقيت نشاطك اليومي يؤثر على صحة دماغك؟.. العلماء يجيبون

المزيد

الآخبار التكنلوجية

ابتكار ألماني قد يغيّر مستقبل صناعة البلاستيك

تحديثات وأرباح عبر المشاهدات.. ما الذي تخطط له "لينكد إن"؟

"الكوكايين الوردي".. مخدر جديد يثير قلق السلطات الأميركية

دراسة: تغيّرات في أسلوب القيادة قد تكشف مبكرا عن الخرف !

المزيد

مواضيع ذات صلة

Zoomorphic

Virtualization

Villain

Veridiction

Utterance

Utopic space

Uncertainty

Truth

Transformation

Traitor

Toponym

Topic space