The word 'representation' has been defined by Derrida as 'reproduction of presentations'. Taking the prefix 're' to mean 'again'.
When representation can only reproduce presences again, how can it reach into the future? Is that not problematic, as the future is not present and can therefore not be reproduced again?
Why is this relevant? The German word 'Vorstellung' (as e.g. in Schopenhauer's Die Welt als Wille und Vorstellung') is made up of 'vor' and 'stellung': for, in front of (or 'fore' as in 'foreground') and to place, to put. Whereas 'Vorstellung' directs someone's orientation foreward, representation casts someone back into the past. Alway. Inescapably, But a Vorstellung will always be in front of you, wherever you turn.
It is easy to relate Vorstellung to the future. As that will be any account, image, presentation of the future to be placed in front of anyone. (This is also why it is different from 'imagination', as you imagine something by yourself, in your head as it were. A Vorstellung kan be imaginary, but also, similar to a play or a performance (also 'Vorstellung') physically outside of yourself in front of you. Imagination cannot).
So sematically Vorstellung can cover times ahead. But can representation?
And what does that mean for communication theory, when its dominant defining concept cannot address the future?
#representation #communication theory #cultural studies #Stuart Hall #lingusitic relativity #vorstellung
According to the Treccani Dictionary (the most authoritative Italian dictionary) rappresentazione is "Il processo mediante il quale un contenuto di percezioni, immaginazioni, giudizi e concetti, si presenta alla coscienza, e quanto viene così rappresentato". Accordingly, 'representation' may apply both to the past and to the future and the re- prefix is no longer bound to its original Lat. meaning "back" --though even in Latin re- did not mean just "back". You may have a mental representation ( immaginazione, Vorstellung) of what will be the situation in Israel next month.
On the other hand, rappresentazione can have a more concrete, physical meaning, exactly as Vorstellung: La rappresentazione alla Scala dello Zauberfluete di Mozart. I do not know whether Engl. representation can have this meaning: I do not think so. As for French, représentation may refer, among many other meanings, to 'Action de donner un spectacle devant un public, en particulier au théâtre' and also to 'Perception, image mentale, etc., dont le contenu se rapporte à un objet, à une situation, à une scène, etc., du monde dans lequel vit le sujet'.
Paolo Ramat thank you for your reply.
According to Google, that translation means: "The activity and operation of representing with figures, signs and sensitive symbols, or with various processes, even non-material, objects or aspects of reality, facts and abstract values, and what is thus represented.". Where in this definition does it follow that representation would apply to both the past and the future?
The 're'-prefix is no longer bound to its original. It may be that that is the case, but where is that stated or implied?
You write: "According to Google, that translation means:": to what 'translation' do you refer ? In Google's definition of the "activity of representing with figures etc." there is no reference to time. It is a timeless definition.
As for Lat re-: think of words as remanere 'to remain', recipere 'to receive' etc. The idea of "back" is not at all there.
Best regards.
I translated your Italian definition to English using Google Translate, as my Italian is not extremely well developed.
Etymonline says:
re-
word-forming element meaning "back, back from, back to the original place;" also "again, anew, once more," also conveying the notion of "undoing" or "backward," etc. (see sense evolution below), c. 1200, from Old French re- and directly from Latin re- an inseparable prefix meaning "again; back; anew, against."
Derrida defines representation as the reproduction of presentation.
You state that representation is timeless. When 're-' stands for 'back, back from, again, anew, once more' etc and indeed is about reproduction of presentation, going back to your Italian definition (and the Google translation), how does that imply that representation can project into the future? Especially since "figures, signs and sensitive symbols, or with various processes, even non-material, objects or aspects of reality, facts and abstract values" are all things that exist. Dreams, visions, hopes, wishes (all in the future) are not listed among the things that can be represented.
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