Textuality
Encyclopedia
Textuality is a concept in linguistics
and literary theory
that refers to the attributes that distinguish the text (a technical term indicating any communicative content under analysis) as an object of study in those fields. It is associated in both fields with structuralism
and post-structuralism
.
Textuality is not just about the written word, it’s the placement of the words and the reader’s interpretation. There is not a set formula to elucidate a text’s textuality; it is not a simple procedure. Even though Hawthorn sees ‘interpretation as less important or less problematic’[7], interpretation is usually required in order to make sense of the text’s textuality. The interpretation that a reader develops from that text may decide the identity and the definitive meanings of that text. Textuality, as a literary theory, is that which constitutes a text as a text in a particular way. The text is an indecidable (there is an inexistence of an effective or ‘strict’ method of writing or structure). The text’s indecidability, in fact, fabricates from its textuality or its textualities. Textuality, as defined in The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms is ‘the condition of being textual, or in other words of ‘writtenness’[9].
Being textual includes innumerable elements and aspects. Each and every form of text and text in that form of literature embraces and consists of its own individual and personal characteristics; these may include its personality, the individuality of that personality, the popularity, and so on. The textualities of the text defines the characteristics, however, the characteristics are also closely associated with the structure of the text, structuralism. Barry talks about structuralism and says ‘its essence is the belief that things cannot be understood in isolation – they have to be seen in the context of the larger structures they are part of’[6]. To form an opinion, criticise, or completely interpret the text you would first have to read the complete literary work as a whole, this enables the reader to make supported judgements on the personality and individuality of the text. The text is always hiding something. Although the reading may define and the interpretation may decide, the text does not define or decide. The text rests as operationally and fundamentally indecidable. Webster ‘frequently uses metaphors of ‘weaving’, ‘tissue’, ‘texture’, ‘strands’, and ‘filiation’ when talking about the structure of texts’[8], he also agrees that ‘instead the text is a surface over which the reader can range in any number of ways that the text permits’[8].
The word "text" arose within structuralism as a replacement for the older idea in literary criticism
of the "work," which is always complete and deliberately authored. A text must necessarily be thought of as incomplete, indeed as missing something crucial that provides the mechanics of understanding. The text is always partially hidden; one word for the hidden part in literary theory is the "subtext."
Textuality is a practice. Through a text’s textuality, it makes itself mean, makes itself be, and makes itself come about in a particular way. Through its textuality, the text relinquishes its status as identity and affirms its condition as pure difference. In indifference, the text ‘dedefines’ itself, etches itself in a texture or network of meaning which is not limited to the text itself. Barry [6] would perhaps describe this as a ‘structuralist approach to literature, there is a constant movement away from the interpretation of the individual literary work and a parallel drive towards understanding the larger. Abstract structures which contain them’.
The concept of the text in structuralism requires a relatively simple relationship between language and writing. Jacques Derrida
, a leading post-structuralist, questions this relationship, aiming his critique primarily at Ferdinand de Saussure
, who, he claims, does not recognize in the relationship between speech and writing "more than a narrow and derivative function." For Derrida, this approach requires putting too much emphasis on speech:
In short, textuality is an individual and uncertain skill that will always be read and interpreted in texts in different ways, by different people, and at different times. It is a literary tool which can never be defined like an exact science and that will always be influenced by the writers different objectives of life, such as, their upbringing, education, culture, age, religion, gender, and multiple other persuading factors.
Each of the three forms of Medium
: print
, electronic
, and oral
, have a different form of Textuality that reflect the way the sensory modalities are stimulated.
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
and literary theory
Literary theory
Literary theory in a strict sense is the systematic study of the nature of literature and of the methods for analyzing literature. However, literary scholarship since the 19th century often includes—in addition to, or even instead of literary theory in the strict sense—considerations of...
that refers to the attributes that distinguish the text (a technical term indicating any communicative content under analysis) as an object of study in those fields. It is associated in both fields with structuralism
Structuralism
Structuralism originated in the structural linguistics of Ferdinand de Saussure and the subsequent Prague and Moscow schools of linguistics. Just as structural linguistics was facing serious challenges from the likes of Noam Chomsky and thus fading in importance in linguistics, structuralism...
and post-structuralism
Post-structuralism
Post-structuralism is a label formulated by American academics to denote the heterogeneous works of a series of French intellectuals who came to international prominence in the 1960s and '70s...
.
Textuality is not just about the written word, it’s the placement of the words and the reader’s interpretation. There is not a set formula to elucidate a text’s textuality; it is not a simple procedure. Even though Hawthorn sees ‘interpretation as less important or less problematic’[7], interpretation is usually required in order to make sense of the text’s textuality. The interpretation that a reader develops from that text may decide the identity and the definitive meanings of that text. Textuality, as a literary theory, is that which constitutes a text as a text in a particular way. The text is an indecidable (there is an inexistence of an effective or ‘strict’ method of writing or structure). The text’s indecidability, in fact, fabricates from its textuality or its textualities. Textuality, as defined in The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms is ‘the condition of being textual, or in other words of ‘writtenness’[9].
Being textual includes innumerable elements and aspects. Each and every form of text and text in that form of literature embraces and consists of its own individual and personal characteristics; these may include its personality, the individuality of that personality, the popularity, and so on. The textualities of the text defines the characteristics, however, the characteristics are also closely associated with the structure of the text, structuralism. Barry talks about structuralism and says ‘its essence is the belief that things cannot be understood in isolation – they have to be seen in the context of the larger structures they are part of’[6]. To form an opinion, criticise, or completely interpret the text you would first have to read the complete literary work as a whole, this enables the reader to make supported judgements on the personality and individuality of the text. The text is always hiding something. Although the reading may define and the interpretation may decide, the text does not define or decide. The text rests as operationally and fundamentally indecidable. Webster ‘frequently uses metaphors of ‘weaving’, ‘tissue’, ‘texture’, ‘strands’, and ‘filiation’ when talking about the structure of texts’[8], he also agrees that ‘instead the text is a surface over which the reader can range in any number of ways that the text permits’[8].
The word "text" arose within structuralism as a replacement for the older idea in literary criticism
Literary criticism
Literary criticism is the study, evaluation, and interpretation of literature. Modern literary criticism is often informed by literary theory, which is the philosophical discussion of its methods and goals...
of the "work," which is always complete and deliberately authored. A text must necessarily be thought of as incomplete, indeed as missing something crucial that provides the mechanics of understanding. The text is always partially hidden; one word for the hidden part in literary theory is the "subtext."
Textuality is a practice. Through a text’s textuality, it makes itself mean, makes itself be, and makes itself come about in a particular way. Through its textuality, the text relinquishes its status as identity and affirms its condition as pure difference. In indifference, the text ‘dedefines’ itself, etches itself in a texture or network of meaning which is not limited to the text itself. Barry [6] would perhaps describe this as a ‘structuralist approach to literature, there is a constant movement away from the interpretation of the individual literary work and a parallel drive towards understanding the larger. Abstract structures which contain them’.
The concept of the text in structuralism requires a relatively simple relationship between language and writing. Jacques Derrida
Jacques Derrida
Jacques Derrida was a French philosopher, born in French Algeria. He developed the critical theory known as deconstruction and his work has been labeled as post-structuralism and associated with postmodern philosophy...
, a leading post-structuralist, questions this relationship, aiming his critique primarily at Ferdinand de Saussure
Ferdinand de Saussure
Ferdinand de Saussure was a Swiss linguist whose ideas laid a foundation for many significant developments in linguistics in the 20th century. He is widely considered one of the fathers of 20th-century linguistics...
, who, he claims, does not recognize in the relationship between speech and writing "more than a narrow and derivative function." For Derrida, this approach requires putting too much emphasis on speech:
In short, textuality is an individual and uncertain skill that will always be read and interpreted in texts in different ways, by different people, and at different times. It is a literary tool which can never be defined like an exact science and that will always be influenced by the writers different objectives of life, such as, their upbringing, education, culture, age, religion, gender, and multiple other persuading factors.
Textuality in the Media
Textuality can be seen, heard, read, and interacted with.Each of the three forms of Medium
Media (communication)
In communications, media are the storage and transmission channels or tools used to store and deliver information or data...
Printing
Printing is a process for reproducing text and image, typically with ink on paper using a printing press. It is often carried out as a large-scale industrial process, and is an essential part of publishing and transaction printing....
, electronic
Electronic publishing
Electronic publishing or ePublishing includes the digital publication of e-books and electronic articles, and the development of digital libraries and catalogues. Electronic publishing has become common in scientific publishing where it has been argued that peer-reviewed scientific journals are in...
, and oral
Speech
Speech is the human faculty of speaking.It may also refer to:* Public speaking, the process of speaking to a group of people* Manner of articulation, how the body parts involved in making speech are manipulated...
, have a different form of Textuality that reflect the way the sensory modalities are stimulated.
- An example of Textuality in the oralSpeechSpeech is the human faculty of speaking.It may also refer to:* Public speaking, the process of speaking to a group of people* Manner of articulation, how the body parts involved in making speech are manipulated...
medium is the sound itself. - An example of Textuality in the electronicElectronic publishingElectronic publishing or ePublishing includes the digital publication of e-books and electronic articles, and the development of digital libraries and catalogues. Electronic publishing has become common in scientific publishing where it has been argued that peer-reviewed scientific journals are in...
medium is the interactivity of a website, or visual of a specific television show. - An example of Textuality in the printPrintingPrinting is a process for reproducing text and image, typically with ink on paper using a printing press. It is often carried out as a large-scale industrial process, and is an essential part of publishing and transaction printing....
medium is the physicality of a book.