From case to topology

The Scanian dialect of Middle Danish underwent a range of changes and reductions in its case system. I argue that these changes were caused neither by phonological developments nor by language contact as often assumed, but by multiple processes of grammaticalisation. The present paper focuses on one of these factors: that the relatively predictable constituent order within the Middle Danish noun phrase made case marking redundant in its function of marking noun-phrase internal agreement between head and modifier(s). This redundancy caused the case system to undergo a regrammation where the indexical sign relations changed so that the expression of morphological case no longer indicated this noun-phrase-internal agreement, leaving only topology (as well as morphologically marked number and gender agreement) as markers of this type of agreement. This factor contributed to the subsequent degrammation of the entire case system.

Standing Ground: the index in the landscape of the digital

This paper explores the intellectual background and production methodology behind the video Standing Ground (2019), a practice as research work that brings analogue and digital images into juxtaposition in a portrait of a derelict farmhouse. The accounts of three key theorists centred on the definition of photochemical photography and/or film through the indexical sign are discussed: André Bazin, Peter Wollen, and Roland Barthes. The paper then considers the work of scholars who have considered the implications of the transition to digital imaging for the indexicality of the image, including Lev Manovich and William Brown. In the light of this theoretical context, the paper reflects on the creative decisions made in the conception and production of Standing Ground, and considers the outcome of these decisions in the finished work. The paper concludes with an assessment of the methodology of the work in attaining the research aims of the project.

Indexical Ways of Knowing: An Inquiry Into the Indexical Sign and How to Educate for Novelty

In this paper, I propose that the indexical sign can be used to derive a model for active (touching-and-feeling) learning. The implicit processes involved in the subtle reading of indices contain explanatory possibilities for understanding how students adapt to novelty in the learning process. Besides looking at how indexicality functions in human ontogeny and cognition, I will also examine the human capacity for modeling our world through aggregations of systems of representations (Sebeok, 1994). Modeling systems (with their implicit recognition that the human is a semiotic animal) help us to conceptualize how novelty is assimilated in the learning process. I posit that how we come to terms with new experiences (and new stimuli generally) is of an indexical nature. I am specifically referring to the site where "the new" comes from the outside (like a rain cloud signaling the coming storm) and acts upon us. We can recognize the rain cloud as an experiential pattern (as a semiotic entity) or not; the rain is still going to bear down on us regardless of the success of our interpretations. This existential realness of indexical signs is precisely their power to function as a pedagogical tool, to help us assimilate and accommodate to novel stimulus. The concept of modeling helps us conceptualize the process in which the new stimulus is absorbed and integrated into our cultural/semiotic systems. In short, this paper aims to explore what I call the indexical rub of learning; that initial friction or resistance felt when meeting a new experience. My hope is that this exploration can aid in the cultivation of a mindset in teachers, students and researchers that does not fear this resistance, but can use it to propel positive absorption (in the Deweyian sense) and engaged learning.

Using colour semiotics to explore colour meanings

Purpose The impact of colour is acknowledged within the marketing field. However, research on colour communication is limited, with most prior studies focusing on pre-defined meanings or colour associations. The purpose of this paper is to reveal insights into colour meaning and propose an alternative view to understanding colour communication. Design/methodology/approach The study takes a conceptual approach and proposes Peircean semiotics to understand colour communication. The proposed framework is applied to analyse a set of colour meanings detected by prior colour research. Findings The study elucidates the underlying mechanism of how colour is read and interpreted in various marketing activities, and how meaning is conveyed. This study addresses this mechanism by identifying colour semantics and colour as a symbolic, iconic and indexical sign. Research limitations/implications The study contributes to the scholarly knowledge of colour in marketing. It enriches the understanding of how consumers interpret representations of single visual signs expressed in contexts such as products, brands and brand packaging to make informed product decisions. Practical implications By understanding consumer interpretation as a stage in the communication process, marketers can develop more informed marketing activities to communicate the intended meanings. This may well strengthen the brand identity and contribute to the perceived brand value. Originality/value By elaborating on how colours convey meanings and the mechanism that explains such meanings, this study demonstrates that colour meaning is far more than mere association. The study contributes to the current knowledge of colour by facilitating a deeper understanding of how consumers interpret representations of single visual cues expressed in various contexts.

Icon(icity) and causality: On the role of indexical semiotic modes in development of Byzantine art

Determined by its biblical origins, the birth of specifically Christian visual culture had to be given through overcoming the inevitable resistance of early church towards images. In order to find its stable place on late antique cultural scene, early byzantine art, thus, had to rely on support of religious and cultural patterns remote of magisterial artistic trends. Among those, contemporary theory recognizes as especially important: 1) cult of relics and 2) sealing practices. Crossing the possibility of theoretical definition of unique semiotic model standing behind those two cultural- religious practices with the fact that after iconoclasm byzantine art will be systematically distanced from both of them, this research attempts to explore the relation between iconophile theory and byzantine artistic production from a yet unexplored interpretative position. Hypothesis that category of indexical sign, as it is proposed by contemporary semiotics (based on Peircean legacy), can be used for extraction of this unique semiotic model is used here as a specific methodological tool for re-approach to both - 1) the pre-iconoclastic need for accentuating the indexical aspects of iconic images and 2) the mystery of post-iconoclastic radical distancing towards such a semiotic need. On the basis of such an integrated approach it is possible not only to search for more precise explanation of co-relations between artistic practices and contemporaneous (iconophile) theory, but to explain curious historical delay in application of this theoretic knowledge in artistic and liturgical realms, together with a late outburst of iconoclastic behaviour provoked by this very delay. Namely, one of the most prominent incarnations of pre-iconoclastic need for ?indexicalisation? of iconic medium, the mysterious Mandylion from Edessa, had very curious role in historical development of post-iconoclastic plastic arts in Byzantium. This specific object was miraculously and undividedly uniting both key indexical aspects of pre-iconoclastic cognitive settings in one icon - causally connected with the archetypehimself. However, exactly this kind of synthetic, relic-seal-image status turned out to be the specific semiotic stumbling stone in the process of application of iconophile theory in liturgical arts. This is why in XI century byzantine church decided to refrain Mandylion from public life for good and lock it in court chapel, under the protection of the emperor himself. As one of the most curious theological decisions of medieval Christianity, this extraordinary semiotic conversion was, actually, the final step in application of the most advanced achievements of the late iconophile theory, which was, at the same time, the first step in development of artistic system relaxed from the pressure of need for legalistic, causal validation of pictorial language.

Introduktion til Det Pragmatiske Hjul – En ny tilgang til Direktiver

It will be argued that, despite their obvious anchoring in verbal communication based on linguistic signs (symbols), Directives, i.e. Requests and Offers, have more in common with gestures which primarily involve indexes and icons. It will be demonstrated that this type of speech act should be interpreted as consisting of three indexical sign types: (1) a symptom that points at the speaker and goes back in time; (2) a signal that points at the hearer and goes forward in time; and (3) a model that points at a situation and is timeless, because it can be used at any time. On this basis, a speech act process model for communicationbased problem solving is created specifically for declarative Directives.

The Primacy of Index in Naming Paradigms. Part II

This analysis highlights the semiotic naming differences between the pronouns, nouns, and verbs. It capitalizes on the role of Peirce’s Object in assigning names and the special character of pronouns and verbs to hasten notice of Objects. It showcases Peirce’s indexical sign as an individuating instrument, by arguing that nouns do not name the Object uniquely. The invoking notice of shifting places via pronouns/verbs is paramount. Naming begins with the most pure Indexes (pronouns), then nouns (which draw upon similar features); afterward, verbs emerge to name the dynamic event profile, illustrating the indispensability of the index. The advances in deictic individuation establish and reinforce the joint attentional ventures: co-signers are compelled not merely to attend to the same Object but to recognize distinctive participant roles in events as well.

The Primacy of Index in Naming Paradigms. Part I

This analysis highlights semiotic naming differences between pronouns, nouns, and verbs. It capitalizes on the pivotal role of Peirce's Object in assigning names, and the special character of pronouns to hasten notice of Objects. It showcases Peirce's indexical sign as an individuating instrument, by arguing that nouns do not name the Object uniquely. The indexical sign alone forces attention on unique entities. Their capacity to invoke notice of shifting places via pronouns/verbs is paramount.The findings indicate a particular developmental course: a noticed “something,” classified object, individuated sequence of actions. The naming begins with the most pure Indexes (pronouns), then nouns (which draw upon similar features); afterwards, the verbs emerge to name dynamic event profiles. This illustrates the indispensability of index in the naming process. Advances in deictic individuation establish and reinforce joint attentional ventures: co-signers are compelled not merely to attend to the same Object, but to recognize distinctive participant roles in event structures.

The causal attributions of substance use in clients’ change talk during motivational interviewing

The objective of this study is to provide insights into substance users’ beliefs about the causes of substance use, in order to expand the current understanding of the significance of the client’s change-related talk during motivational interviewing (MI) sessions. In particular, it focuses on what kind of causes the substance-using clients attribute their substance use to in change talk during MI. The analyses are based on videotaped and transcribed data consisting of 98 MI sessions in the Finnish Probation Service. By applying Peirce’s semiotic theory of signs, this study investigates clients’ change talk utterances about causal attributions of substance use as an indexical sign. The results show that the clients attributed various causes to substance use, and that five main causes can be discerned: cultural factors, significant others, personal properties, working life, and lifestyle. The study displays that both sociocultural and psychological causes play an important role in substance users’ change talk. Thus, it is suggested that contextual factors should not be overlooked in MI and other substance use treatment.

Cognitive and linguistic underpinnings of deixis am phantasma: Bühler's and Peirce's semiotic

Th is inquiry outlines Karl Bühle's three kinds of deixis, focusing particularly on his most advanced use – deixis am phantasma (deictics to refer to absent referents). This use is of primary import to the semiosis of index, given the centrality of the object and the interpretant in changing the function of the indexical sign in ontogeny. Employing deictic signs to refer to absent objects (some of which are mental) constitutes a catalyst from more social, conventional, uses to more internal, imaginative, ones. Bühler's analogy of mental objects as a "mimesis" serves as the genesis for the claim that static and more dynamic memories, fuelled by affect, drive deictics to refer to more dynamic objects and more dynamic interpretants, into more constructed realities. Peirce's two types of objects and three types of interpretants complete Bühler's deictic framework; they determine advances in deictic semiosis undeveloped by Bühler, and offer rationale for how it is that deictic use extends the semiosis of index.