| Cabaret Vert Magazine | The Straytext Device: Pure and Applied Research in Mutational Field Theory by John Riddell |
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Constructivist Theory .... continued But to return to our task: lettristic/cellular reproductive formations of micromorphemes which underwrite a larger macro-syntactical "text" shatter in the face of the continuum sensed by Schoeffer--- that very mutational field within which we wish to conduct our play... Schoeffer: "...change through the medium of time plays he role of a catalyzing agent. By this process a certainty rigorously structured at the outset gives rise to uncertainties to which it transmits its proportional qualities. The final result is determined by the initial special and temporal structurations." (1963)However, there are problems with constuctivist theory: Micro-syntactical Constructivism declares a certain segment of any alphabetic be a race of "pure" letters,or "plans"; whereas those remaining are depicted as "impure" letters, or "shifters." This view leads Truhlar, its main proponent, to the conclusion that "future study towards a constructivist theory of linguistic onto-genetics will necessitate the construction of a future language, a language that will perfectly describe our relationships...(16)" This view many find find too idealistic; moreover, some scholars detect an ultra-conservative undertone to Truhlar's reasoning. The quest for perfection, some would argue, might conclude a centrist terrorism (it has happened before...). Others feel, however, that such an perspective is legitimate, in that it affirms the hopes, imagination, and dreams of mankind to better herself... Whatever the case may be, there is little doubt that Truhlar's papers have revived the debate, and speak for themselves as outstanding contributions to linguistic onto-genetic field theory. It may be noted that many observers were delighted (and relieved!) to see the appearance of his 1981 paper (17) on macro-syntacticalism << >> |
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