La puissance de l’identique: l’absurde, la contradiction et l’isotopie sémantique

Abstract

Based on micro-structural and semantic interpretation, this article raises the problem of consistency in speech and contradictory and absurd texts. This consistency is possible thanks to the identity of some semantic features, which are included in the expressed content. This identity is the basis for the definition of the concept of semantic isotopy (understood as a repeat of a seme on the discourse syntagmatic axis), which is responsible for the consistent interpretation of sense. However, repetition of just one semantic feature will suffice to ensure an isotopic character of seemingly absurd or contradictory utterances, which ultimately allows the reader to interpret them as semantically acceptable.

Keywords

• isotopy
• discourse
• conflict
• neutralization
• assimilation
• identity