WHAT EXACTLY IS THE WORLD?

A SEMANTIC SURVEY

Authors

  • Sémir BADIR F.N.R.S. – Université de Liège

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22478/ufpb.2446-7006.46v27n2.62998

Abstract

This study presents an analysis of the notion of world as it is described in the article that the Trésor de la langue française, after previous dictionaries, has devoted to the word monde. The first step is to identify the semantic links, mostly synecdochic, that exist in all twenty-three definitions. As these definitions establish and rank various senses and uses, we then show the interpretative biases caused by the order chosen for their presentation. Finally, a hypothesis is formulated about the semantic core of the notion, which expresses by socially normed afference the possibility to situate oneself in a geographical or social environment and to appropriate it. In accordance with the method outlined in Sémantique interprétative, a componential analysis of the sememe “monde” in set phrases will aim to confirm the validity of this hypothesis. This study also seeks to shed critical light on the use that philosophy (subsequently literary theory) makes of the notion of world, and uses this criticism as a general framework for argumentation.

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Published

2022-07-14

How to Cite

BADIR, S. (2022). WHAT EXACTLY IS THE WORLD? : A SEMANTIC SURVEY. Acta Semiotica Et Lingvistica, 27(2), 59–75. https://doi.org/10.22478/ufpb.2446-7006.46v27n2.62998